Sloka & Translation

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[Dasaratha requests Vasishta to commence the sacrifice-- orders various people skilled in their profession to attend to the preparations--Vasishta asks Sumantra to invite kings from various countries--extends hospitality-- Dasaratha commences the sacrificial ceremony with his wives]

puna: prāptē vasantē tu pūrṇassaṅvatsarō.bhavat.

prasavārthaṅ gatō yaṣṭuṅ hayamēdhēna vīryavān৷৷1.13.1৷৷


puna: again, vasantē in spring, prāptē sati having returned, saṅvatsara: one year, pūrṇa: abhavat completed, vīryavān valiant, prasavārtham for begetting sons, hayamēdhēna by Horse-sacrifice, yaṣṭum to worship celestial beings, gata: entered sacrificial pavilion.

After completion of one year when spring returned, the valiant king (Dasaratha) entered the sacrificial pavilion to worship celestial beings for begetting sons.
abhivādya vasiṣṭhaṅ ca nyāyata: paripūjya ca.

abravītpraśritaṅ vākyaṅ prasavārthaṅ dvijōttamam৷৷1.13.2৷৷


dvijōttamam best among brahmins, vasiṣṭham sage Vasishta, abhivādya offering salutations, nyāyata: in accordance with prescribed ordinance, paripūjya ca having worshipped, prasavārtham for begetting children, praśritam with obedience, vākyam words, abravīt said.

After offering humble salutations and worshipping sage Vasishta in accordance with prescribed ordinance for begetting children, he obediently said:
yajñō mē kriyatāṅ brahmanyathōktaṅ munipuṅgava!.

yathā na vighna: kriyatē yajñāṅgēṣu vidhīyatām৷৷1.13.3৷৷


munipuṅgava! O! Foremost among ascetics, brahman O! Brahman, mē my, yajña: sacrifice, yathōktam according to the tradition, kriyatām let it be performed, yajñāṅgēṣu essential requisites, vighna: obstruction, yathā in such manner, na kriyatē will not take place, vidhīyatām let it be performed.

"O foremost among ascetics O brahman, may the sacrifice be performed according to tradition in such a manner that the sacrifice is performed unhindered.
bhavān snigdhassuhṛnmahyaṅ guruśca paramō mahān.

ōḍhavyō bhavatā caiva bhārō yajñasya cōdyata:৷৷1.13.4৷৷


bhavān you, mahyam to me, snigdha: affectionate one, suhṛt friend, parama: great, mahān reverential, guru: spiritual guide, yajñasya sacrifice, udyata: has commenced, bhāra: burden of performing the sacrifice, bhavatā caiva by you alone, ōḍhavya: shall be borne.

You are an affectionate friend and most reverential spiritual guide to me. The burden of performing the sacrifice which has since commenced shall be borne by you".
tathēti ca sa rājānamabravīddvijasattamaḥ.

kariṣyē sarvamēvaitadbhavatā yatsamarthitam৷৷1.13.5৷৷


dvijasattama: foremost among brahmins, sa: sage Vasishta, bhavatā by you, yat which ever, samarthitam as decided by you, ētat that, sarvam all, tathā in that manner, kariṣyē will be performed, iti thus, rājānam to the king, abravīt said.

The great among brahmins answered him saying "I shall do everything as proposed by you".
tatō.bravīdvijānvṛddhānyajñakarmasu niṣṭhitān.

sthāpatyē niṣṭhitāṅścaiva vṛddhānparamadhārmikān৷৷1.13.6৷৷

karmāntikān śilpakarānvardhakīn khanakānapi.

gaṇakānśilpinaścaiva tathaiva naṭanartakān৷৷1.13.7৷৷

tathā śucīnśāstravida: puruṣān subahuśrutān.

yajñakarma samīhantāṅ bhavantō rājaśāsanāt৷৷1.13.8৷৷

iṣṭakā bahu sāhasrāśśīghramānīyatāmiti. 0

upakāryā: kriyantāṅ ca rājñāṅ bahuguṇānvitā:৷৷1.13.9৷৷


tata: after that, yajñakarmasu in the sacrifice-related activities, niṣṭhitān experienced, vṛddhān venerable, dvijān brahmins, vṛddhān venerable, paramadhārmikān most righteous people, sthāpatyē in the science of architecture, niṣṭhitāṅścaiva skilled, karmāntikān workers, śilpakarān makers of bricks, vardhakīn carpenters, khanakānapi diggers, gaṇakān men adept in calculations, śilpinaścaiva artisans, tathaiva and, naṭanartakān dancers and actors, tathā and, śucīn men having clean back ground, śāstravida: well-versed in the scriptures, subahuśrutān well-informed and knowledgeable, puruṣān people, bhavanta: all of you, rājaśāsanāt by king's command, yajñakarma sacrificial work, samīhantām be planned, bahusāhasrā in thousands, iṣṭakā: bricks, śīghram immediately, ānīyatām let them be brought, rājñām kings', bahuguṇānvitā: commanding all comforts, upakāryā: temporary residential buildings, kriyantām be erected.

Thereafter Vasishta summoned those brahmins who are experienced in the sacrifice-related activities venerable and righteous architects skilled workers brick makers, carpenters, diggers, artisans, account keepers, dancers and actors, men versed in scriptures and honest, well-informed people and addressed them saying, "In accordance with the king's command let the work of the sacrificial ceremony be inauguarated. Let thousands of bricks be brought. Let temporary residential buildings be erected with all the comforts to accommodate royal guests."
brāhmaṇāvasathāścaiva kartavyāśśataśaśśubhā:.

bhakṣyānnapānairbahubhissamupētāssuniṣṭhitā:৷৷1.13.10৷৷


śubhā: auspicious, bahubhi: by many, bhakṣyānnapānai: with eatables and drinks, samupētā: furnished with, suniṣṭhitā: well arranged, brāhmaṇāvasathā: caiva residences for brahmins, śataśa: in hundreds, kartavyā: be prepared.

tathā paurajanasyāpi kartavyā bahuvistarā:.

āvāsā bahubhakṣyā vai sarvakāmairupasthitā:৷৷1.13.11৷৷


tathā in the same manner, paurajanasyāpi people from other towns, bahu vistarā: widely spread, bahubhakṣyā: many items of food, sarvakāmai: by all kinds of entertainment, upasthitā: provided with, āvāsā: residential accommodation, kartavyā: should be done.

In the same manner let widely spread residential accommodation be furnished with many items of food and all kinds of entertainment be provided for people from other lands.
tathā jānapadasyāpi janasya bahuśōbhanam.

dātavyamannaṅ vidhivatsatkṛtya na tu līlayā৷৷1.13.12৷৷


tathā in the sameway, jānapadasya for the rural, janasyāpi people also, bahuśōbhanam extremely good, annam food, vidhivat according to tradition, satkṛtya treated with good respect, dātavyam given, līlayātu na not casually in a careless way.

In the same way people coming from rural areas also should be duly, not casualy treated with respect.
sarvē varṇā yathā pūjāṅ prāpnuvanti susatkṛtā:.

na cāvajñā prayōktavyā kāmakrōdhavaśādapi৷৷1.13.13৷৷


sarvē all, varṇā: castes, susatkṛtā: well treated, yathā in whatever manner, pūjām homage, prāpnuvanti will receive, kāmakrōdhavaśādapi through greed, anger or lust, avajñā insult, na prayōktavyā not to be meted out.

People from all castes should be well-treated with respect. There should be no insult
to any one through lust on greed on anger.
yajñakarmasu yē vyagrā: puruṣāśśilpinastathā.

tēṣāmapi viśēṣēṇa pūjā kāryā yathākramam৷৷1.13.14৷৷

tē ca syussambhṛtāssarvē vasubhirbhōjanēna ca.


yē puruṣā: those people, tathā and, śilpina: sculptors, yajñakarmasu in sacrifice-related activities, vyagrā: deeply immersed, tēṣāmapi for them also, viśēṣēṇa specially, pūjā honour, kāryā should be given, tē sarvē all of them, vasubhi: with money, bhōjanēna ca with food, sambhṛtā: syu: made contended.

The people deeply immersed in performing sacrifice-related activities and sculptors be specially honoured according to their nature of work. All of them should be satisfied with money and food.
yathā sarvaṅ suvihitaṅ na kiñcitparihīyatē৷৷1.13.15৷৷

tathā bhavanta: kurvantu prītisnigdhēna cētasā.


sarvam all, yathā in whatever manner, suvihitam well managed, kiñcit even little, na parihīyatē not left out, tathā in that manner, bhavanta: you, prītisnigdhēna with love and affection, cētasā with mind, kurvantu let it be done.

Every thing should be well-managed. In whatever manner you do, not even the smallest things be left out. Carry out the work with love and affection in your hearts".
tatassarvē samāgamya vasiṣṭhamidamabruvan৷৷1.13.16৷৷

yathōktaṅ tatsuvihitaṅ na kiñcitparihīyatē.

yathōktaṅ tatkariṣyāmō na kiñcitparihāsyatē৷৷1.13.17৷৷


tata: then, sarvē all, samāgamya approached, vasiṣṭham Vasistha, idam this statement, abruvan said, yathā in the manner, uktam has been told, tat that, suvihitam well arranged, kiñcit even little, na parihīyatē will not be left out, yathōktam in the manner it has been told, tat that, kariṣyāma: we will do, kiñcit even a little, na parihāsyatē will not be left out.

Then all of them approached Vasishta and said, "everything has been well-arranged in accordance with your instruction. There is no deficiency. Everything will be done as instructed by you without leaving out anything."
tatassumantramānīya vasiṣṭhō vākyamabravīt.

nimantrayasva nṛpatīnpṛthivyāṅ yē ca dhārmikā:৷৷1.13.18৷৷


tata: then, vasiṣṭha: Vasishhta, sumantram Sumantra, ānīya having summoned, vākyam words, abravīt said, pṛthivyām on this earth, dhārmikā: righteous ones, yē those, nṛpatīn kings, nimantrayasva you may invite.

Then Vasishta, having summoned Sumantra said to him "Invite all the righteous kings on earth".
brāhmaṇānkṣatriyānvaiśyāñchūdrāṅścaiva sahasraśa:.

samānayasva satkṛtya sarvadēśēṣu mānavān৷৷1.13.19৷৷


sarvadēśēṣu residing in all countries, mānavān people, brāhmaṇān brahmins, kṣatriyān kshatriyas, vaiśyān merchants, śūdrāṅścaiva sudras also, sahasraśa: in thousands, satkṛtya with due honours, samānayasva convene them.

"Extend an honourable invitation to brahmins, kshatriyas, merchants and sudras in their thousands residing in all countries.
mithilādhipatiṅ śūraṅ janakaṅ satyavikramam.

niṣṭhitaṅ sarvaśāstrēṣu tathā vēdēṣu niṣṭhitam৷৷1.13.20৷৷

tamānaya mahābhāgaṅ svayamēva susatkṛtam.

pūrvasambandhinaṅ jñātvā tata: pūrvaṅ bravīmi tē৷৷1.13.21৷৷


mithilādhipatim king of Mithila, śūram greatest of warriors, satyavikramam a man with real heroic valour, sarvaśāstrēṣu in all scriptures, niṣṭhitam proficient, tathā and, vēdēṣu in vedas, niṣṭhitam proficient, mahābhāgam distinguished, taṅ janakam that Janaka, pūrvasambandhinam an ancient allay, jñātvā knowing, susatkṛtam with due honours, svayamēva personally, ānaya bring him, tata: for that reason, pūrvam well before, tē to you, bravīmi telling.

You may personally go and bring with due honour king Janaka who is the distinguished king of Mithila, a warrior whose truth is his strength proficient in all scriptures and the Vedas. Since he is an old ally, I am telling you in advance.
tathā kāśīpatiṅ snigdhaṅ satataṅ priyavādinam.

vayasyaṅ rājasiṅhasya svayamēvānayasva ha৷৷1.13.22৷৷


tathā thereafter, snigdham affectionate, satatam ever, priyavādinam speaking pleasantly, rājasiṅhasya lion among kings, vayasyam friend, kāśīpatim king of Kasi, svayamēva personally, ānayasva ha bring him.

Similarly, you may personally escort king of Kasi who is always affectionate and sweet-tongued. He is a friend to our king who is a lion among rulers.
tathā kēkayarājānaṅ vṛddhaṅ paramadhārmikam.

śvaśuraṅ rājasiṅhasya saputraṅ tvamihānaya৷৷1.13.23৷৷


tathā then, paramadhārmikam very righteous, rājasiṅhasya our king Dasaratha's, śvaśuram father-in-law, vṛddham aged, kēkayarājānam king of Kekaya, saputram along with his sons, tvam you, iha here, ānaya bring.

Likewise bring here the aged and very righteous king of Kekaya along with his sons. He is father-in-law to this lion among kings (Dasaratha).
aṅgēśvaram mahābhāgaṅ rōmapādaṅ susatkṛtam.

vayasyaṅ rājasiṅhasya samānaya yaśasvinam৷৷1.13.24৷৷


aṅgēśvaram king of Anga, mahābhāgam prosperous, rājasiṅhasya lion among kings, Dasaratha's, vayasyam friend, yaśasvinam famous, rōmapādam Romapada, susatkṛtam well honoured, samānaya bring.

Bring with honour king of Anga, Romapada, famous and prosperous. He is an intimate friend of the king (Dasaratha).
prācīnānsindhu sauvīrānsaurāṣṭrēyāṅśca pārthivān.

dākṣiṇātyānnarēndrāṅśca samastānānayasva ha৷৷1.13.25৷৷


prācīnān kings from the countries on the eastern side, sindhusauvīrān kings from Sindhu and Sauvera countries, sairāṣṭrēyān pārthivān kings from Saurashtra, dākṣiṇātyān narēndrāṅśca kings from south, samastān all, ānayasva ha bring (invite) them.

Bring kings from the countries of the eastern and southern regions, from Sindhu, Sauvera and Saurashtra৷৷
santi snigdhāśca yē cānyē rājāna: pṛthivītalē.

tānānaya yathākṣipraṅ sānugānsaha bāndhavān৷৷1.13.26৷৷


pṛthivītalē on this earth, snigdhā: friendly, anyē other, rājāna: kings, tān all of them, sānugān along with their retinues and families, saha bāndhavān along with their relatives, yathākṣipram as quickly as possible, ānaya bring (invite)them.

Bring all other kings of this earth, who are friendly with us. Along with their retinues, families and relatives".
vasiṣṭhavākyaṅ tacchrutvā sumantrastvaritastadā.

vyādiśatpuruṣāṅstatra rājñāmānayanē śubhān৷৷1.13.27৷৷


tat that, vasiṣṭhavākyam words of Vasishta, śrutvā having heard, sumantra: Sumantra, tadā then, tvarita: speedily, tatra there, rājñām kings, ānayanē in bringing, śubhān virtuous, puruṣān emissaries, vyādiśat ordered.

Having heard the words of Vasishta, Sumantra speedily despatched virtuous and auspicious emissaries to bring the kings.
svayamēva hi dharmātmā prayayau muniśāsanāt.

sumantrastvaritō bhūtvā samānētuṅ mahīkṣita:৷৷1.13.28৷৷


dharmātmā righteous, sumantra: Sumantra, muniśāsanāt in accordance with ascetic's order, tvaritō bhūtvā become quick, mahīkṣita: kings, samānētum to escort, svayamēva himself, prayayau set out.

In accordance with the ascetic's order, righteous Sumantra himself quickly set out to escort Janaka and other kings.
tē ca karmāntikāssarvē vasiṣṭhāya ca dhīmatē.

sarvaṅ nivēdayanti sma yajñē yadupakalpitam৷৷1.13.29৷৷


tē those, karmāntikā: workers, sarvē all, yajñē in the sacrifice, yat which, upakalpitam was well arranged, sarvam all that, dhīmatē to the wise, vasiṣṭhāya Vasishta, nivēdayanti sma informed.

All the workers reported to the wise sage, Vasishta about the tasks completed for the sacrifice.
tata:prītō dvijaśrēṣṭhastān sarvānidamabravīt .

avajñayā na dātavyaṅ kasyacillīlayā.pi vā৷৷1.13.30৷৷

avajñayā kṛtaṅ hanyāddātāraṅ nātra saṅśaya:. 28


tata: then, prīta: pleased, dvijaśrēṣṭhaḥ best among brahmins, tān sarvān addressing all of them, idam these words, abravīt said, kasya cit to any one, avajñayā with insult, līlayāpi vā or casually, na dātavyam should not be gifted, avajñayā with contempt, kṛtam done, dātāram donor, hanyāt destroys, atra in this aspect, saṅśaya: na no doubt.

Then, well pleased, the best among brahmins (Vasishta) said to them all "Nobody should be offered any thing with disregard. Anything given with contempt undoubtedly results in the destruction of the donor."
tata: kaiścidahōrātrairupayātā mahīkṣita:৷৷1.13.31৷৷

bahūni ratnānyādāya rājñō daśarathasya vai.


tata: after that, mahīkṣita: kings, rājña: daśarathasya for king Dasaratha, bahūni several, ratnāni gifts, ādāya having brought, kaiścit by some, ahōrātrai: days, upayātā: arrived.

Meanwhile kings from several countries to travelling nights and days arrived bringing with them various kinds of (precious) gifts.
tatō vasiṣṭhassuprītō rājānamidamabravīt৷৷1.13.32৷৷

upayātā naravyāghra rājānastava śāsanāt.

mayāpi satkṛtā: sarvē yathārhaṅ rājasattamā:৷৷1.13.33৷৷


tata: there upon, suprīta: well-pleased, vasiṣṭha: Vasishta, rājānam addressing Dasaratha, idam these words, abravīt said, naravyāghra O! Best among men, tava your, śāsanāt by the command, rājāna: kings from various countries, upayātā: have arrived, rājasattamā: noble kings, sarvē all, yathārham according to their merit, mayā by me, satkṛtā: api were honoured also.

Thereupon, well-pleased, Vasishta addressing Dasaratha said "O best among men, beacuse of your command, kings from various countries have arrived. I have extended due hospitality to those noble kings according to their station."
yajñīyaṅ ca kṛtaṅ rājan puruṣaissusamāhitai:.

niryātu ca bhavānyaṣṭuṅ yajñāyatanamantikāt৷৷1.13.34৷৷


rājan O! King, susamāhitai: with composed minds, puruṣai: by persons, yajñīyam pertaining to the sacrifice, kṛtam made, bhavān you, yaṣṭum to perform sacrifice, antikāt nearby, yajñāyatanam sacrificial ground, niryātu be pleased to leave for.

"O king, persons with composed minds have made preparations for the yaga. Now be pleased to leave for sacrificial altar nearby to perform yaga.
sarvakāmairupahṛtairupētaṅ ca samantata:.

draṣṭumarhasi rājēndra manasēva vinirmitam৷৷1.13.35৷৷


rājēndra O! Foremost of kings, upahṛtai: well arranged, sarvakāmai: articles of entertainment, samantata: every where, upētam endowed with, manasā by mind (imagination), vinirmitam iva as though constructed, draṣṭum arhasi you deserve (should) to see.

O foremost of kings, you ought to see the sacrificial ground full of sources of entertainment arranged everywhere, as though improvised by imagination".
tathā vasiṣṭhavacanādṛśyaśṛṅgasya cōbhayō:.

śubhē divasanakṣatrē niryātō jagatīpati:৷৷1.13.36৷৷


tadā then, tathā vaśiṣṭhavacanāt following the words of Vasishta, ṛśyaśṛṅgasya ca also of Rsyasringa, ubhayō: of both of them, jagatīpati: lord of the world, śubhē on an auspicious occasion, divasanakṣatrē day and star, niryāta: had set out to the sacrificial pavillion.

In response to the words of Vasishta and Rsyasringa, the Lord of the earth (Dasaratha) entered the sacrificial pavilion on a favourable day presided over by an auspicious star.
tatō vasiṣṭhapramukhāssarva ēva dvijōttamā:.

ṛśyaśṛṅgaṅ puraskṛtya yajñakarmārabhan tadā৷৷1.13.37৷৷

yajñavāṭagatāssarvē yathāśāstraṅ yathāvidhi. 3


tata: then, vasiṣṭhapramukhā: Vasishta, being foremost in the group, sarva ēva all, dvijōttamā: brahmins, yajñavāṭagatā: entered the sacred sacrificial enclosure, yathāśāstram in accordance with scriptural laws, yathāvidhi in accordance with the tradition, tadā then, ṛśyaśṛṅgam Rsyasringa, puraskṛtya headed by, yajñakarma sacrificial rites, ārabhan began.

At that moment the best of brahmins led by Vasishta and headed by Rsyasringa, entered the sacrificial enclosure and began the sacrifice in accordance with traditions and scriptural stipulations.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē trayōdaśassarga:৷৷
Thus ends the thirteenth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.