Sloka & Translation

[Dasaratha performs aswamedhayaga on the bank of Sarayu according to vedic rites]

अथ संवत्सरे पूर्णे तस्मिन्प्राप्ते तुरङ्गमे।

सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे राज्ञो यज्ञोऽभ्यवर्तत।।1.14.1।।

अथ after that, संवत्सरे when one year's time, पूर्णे (सति) was completed, तस्मिन् when that, तुरङ्गमे sacrificial horse, प्राप्ते (सति) had returned, सरय्वा: of river Sarayu, उत्तरे तीरे on the northern bank, राज्ञ: यज्ञश्च sacrifice by the king, अभ्यवर्तत commenced.

After completion of one year when the sacrificial horse had returned, the sacrifice by the king (Dasaratha) commenced on the northern bank of river Sarayu.

ऋश्यशृङ्गं पुरस्कृत्य कर्म चक्रुर्द्विजर्षभा:।

अश्वमेधे महायज्ञे राज्ञोऽस्य सुमहात्मन:।।1.14.2।।

सुमहात्मन: of the exceedingly magnanimous, अस्य राज्ञ: this king's, अश्वमेधे महायज्ञे Aswamedha sacrifice, द्विजर्षभा: best among brahmins, ऋष्यशृङ्गम् Rsyasringa, पुरस्कृत्य led by, कर्म चक्रु: performed the rituals.

The best of brahmins led by Rsyasringa performed the rituals of aswamedha organised by the exceedingly magnanimous king.

कर्म कुर्वन्ति विधिवद्याजका वेदपारगा:।

यथाविधि यथान्यायं परिक्रामन्ति शास्त्रत:।।1.14.3।।

वेदपारगा: scholars who mastered vedas fully, याजका: chief priests, विधिवत् in consonance with tradition and scriptures, कर्म tasks, कुर्वन्ति carried out, यथाविधि in conformity with duties laid down in vedas, यथान्यायम् according to law, शास्त्रत: as laid down in scriptures, परिक्रामन्ति move about (officiated).

The chief priests, masters of the Vedas, conducted the rituals in consonance with traditions and scriptures. They officiated in conformity with duties laid down in the Vedas and according to law.

प्रवर्ग्यं शास्त्रत: कृत्वा तथैवोपसदं द्विजा:

चक्रुश्च विधिवत्सर्वमधिकं कर्म शास्त्रत:।।1.14.4।।

द्विजा: brahmins, प्रवर्ग्यम् Pravargya (a particular part of the sacrifice), शास्त्रत: according to scriptures, कृत्वा having done, तथैव and, उपसदम् Upasada (another part of the sacrifice), विधिवत् as per tradition, अधिकम् still other, सर्वं कर्म ceremonies, शास्त्रत: according to ordinance, चक्रु: performed.

Brahmins performed pravargya and upasada and other ceremonies as per the scriptures and traditions.

अभिपूज्य ततो हृष्टास्सर्वे चक्रुर्यथाविधि।

प्रातस्सवनपूर्वाणि कर्माणि मुनिपुङ्गवा:।।1.14.5।।

तत: thereafter, मुनिपुङ्गवा: eminent ascetics, हृष्टा: rejoiced in their hearts, अभिपूज्य worshipping those celestial beings, प्रातस्सवनपूर्वाणि starting with Pratah savanadi (morning ablutions etc), कर्माणि rituals, यथाविधि as prescribed, चक्रु: performed.

Thereafter the eminent ascetics, rejoicing in their hearts performed the worship (of celestial beings) and conducted the prescribed rituals starting with morning ablutions etc.

ऐन्द्रश्च विधिवद्दत्तो राजा चाभिषुतोऽनघ:।

माध्यन्दिनं च सवनं प्रावर्तत यथाक्रमम्।।1.14.6।।

ऐन्द्रश्च Indra's portion of Havis (oblations of clarified butter), विधिवत् according to tradition, दत्त: offered, अनघ: faultless or pure, राजा च Soma plant (acid juice of this plant mixed with clarified butter offered in libations to the gods), अभिषुत: was pressed for extracting juice, माध्यन्दिनम् ablutions to be performed during midday, सवनम् Savanam, यथाक्रमम् according to the order, प्रावर्तत took place.

Havis was duly offered to Indra daily. The juice was extracted in the morning by pressing the soma plant. Midday ablutions were performed. All in proper sequence.

तृतीयसवनं चैव राज्ञोऽस्य सुमहात्मन:।

चक्रुस्तेशास्त्रतो दृष्ट्वा तथा ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवा:।।1.14.7।।

तथा in the same way, ते ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवा: those eminent brahmins, शास्त्रत: in conformity with Shastras, दृष्ट्वा having seen, सुमहात्मन: of the exceedingly noble, अस्य राज्ञ: this king's, तृतीयसवनं चैव third pressing of the Soma in the evening, चक्रु: performed.

Those exceedingly noble and eminent brahmins performed third pressing of the soma, in conformity with the sastras.

न चाहुतमभूत्तत्र स्खलितं वापि किञ्चन ।

दृश्यते ब्रह्मवत्सर्वं क्षेमयुक्तं हि चक्रिरे।।1.14.8।।

तत्र in that sacrifice, आहुतम् omissions in the offerings, नाभूत् did not take place, किञ्चन any thing, स्खलितम् defects or mistakes, नाभूत् did not take place, सर्वम् everything, ब्रह्मवत् with mantras (prayers), दृश्यते appeared, क्षेमयुक्तम् in a safe manner, चक्रिरे हि performed.

There were no omissions in the offerings nor any lappes in the performance. Everything was done through recitation of mantras and in a wholesome way.

न तेष्वहस्सु श्रान्तो वा क्षुधितो वापि दृश्यते।

नाविद्वान्ब्राह्मणस्तत्र नाशतानुचरस्तथा।।1.14.9।।

तेषु in those, अहस्सु days, श्रान्त: a tired man, क्षुधितो वापि or hungry one, न दृश्यते was not to be seen, तत्र there, अविद्वान् not learned, ब्राह्मण: brahmin, न दृश्यते not to be seen, तथा similarly, अशतानुचर: a man followed by less than hundred people, न दृश्यते was not seen.

During the days (of sacrifice) none felt tired or hungry. There was no brahmin who was not learned or had less than a hundred followers (or disciples).

ब्राह्मणा भुञ्जते नित्यं नाथवन्तश्च भुञ्जते।

तापसा भुञ्जते चापि श्रमणा भुञ्जतेतथा।।1.14.10।।

नित्यम् continually, ब्राह्मणा: brahmanas, भुञ्जते are eating, नाथवन्तश्च those who have masters, भुञ्जते are eating, तापसाश्चापि ascetics, भुञ्जते are eating, तथा and, श्रमणा: monks, भुञ्जते are eating.

During that period brahmanas as well as those who have masters, (the sudras), ascetics and monks had enough to eat.

वृद्धाश्च व्याधिताश्चैव स्त्रियो बालास्तथैव च ।

अनिशं भुञ्जमानानां न तृप्तिरुपलभ्यते।।1.14.11।।

वृद्धा: aged persons, व्याधिताश्चैव sick people, स्त्रिय: women, तथैव च and also, बाला: children, अनिशम् continually, भुञ्जमानानाम् although feasting, तृप्ति: full satisfaction, न उपलभ्यते is not acheeved.

The aged, the sick, women and also children ate there and knew no limit to their enjoyment.

दीयतां दीयतामन्नं वासांसि विविधानि च।

इति सञ्चोदितास्तत्र तथा चक्रुरनेकश:।।1.14.12।।

अन्नम् food, दीयतां दीयताम् may be given, may be given, विविधानि various kinds of, वासांसि च clothes also, इति in this manner, तत्र in that sacrificial ground, सञ्चोदिता: persuaded by, अनेकश: profusely, तथा in the same manner, चक्रु: performed.

"Give food, give, various kinds of clothes" echoed the organisers. And they (in charge of distribution) did.

अन्नकूटाश्च बहवो दृश्यन्ते पर्वतोपमा:।

दिवसे दिवसे तत्र सिद्धस्य विधिवत्तदा।।1.14.13।।

तत्र there, तदा then, विधिवत् in accordance with scriptures, सिद्धस्य kept ready, अन्नकूटा: heaps of food, बहव: many, पर्वतोपमा: looking like mountains, दिवसे दिवसे every day, दृश्यन्ते were to be seen.

There, could be seen day after day heaps of nicely cooked food, looking like mountains.

नानादेशादनुप्राप्ता: पुरुषास्स्त्रीगणास्तथा।

अन्नपानैस्सुविहितास्तस्मिन्यज्ञे महात्मन:।।1.14.14।।

महात्मन: Illustrious king's, तस्मिन् यज्ञे in that sacrifice, नानादेशात् from various countries, अनुप्राप्ता: arrived, पुरुषा: men, तथा and, स्त्रीगणा: women in groups, अन्नपानै: with food and drink, सुविहिता were well entertained.

Men and women who had come from various countries to that sacrifice were entertained with food and drink by the magnanimous (king).

अन्नं हि विधिवत्साधु प्रशंसन्ति द्विजर्षभा:।

अहो तृप्ता: स्म भद्रं ते इति शुश्राव राघव:।।1.14.15।।

द्विजर्षभा: the twiceborns, विधिवत् cooked in prescribed manner, साधु good (delicious), अन्नम् food, प्रशंसन्ति praised, राघव: son of Raghu, Dasaratha, अहो Ah, तृप्ता: स्म fully satisfied, ते to you, भद्रम् prosperity, इति such words, शुश्राव were heard.

Brahmins having tasted the delicious food cooked in prescribed manner, praised saying "Ah We are fully satisfied. Prosperity to you". Such were the words heard by king Dasaratha.

स्वलङ्कृताश्च पुरुषा ब्राह्मणान्पर्यवेषयन्।

उपासते च तानन्ये सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डला:।।1.14.16।।

स्वलङ्कृता: well dressed, पुरुषा: men, ब्राह्मणान् brahmins, पर्यवेषयन् served with, सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डला: wearing pendents bedecked with shining jewels, अन्ये च some others, तान् them, उपासते assisted.

While brahmins were being served with food by welldressed men, some others wearing pendents studded with shining jewels assisted them.

कर्मान्तरे तदा विप्रा हेतुवादान्बहूनपि।

प्राहुश्च वाग्मिनो धीरा: परस्परजिगीषया।।1.14.17।।

तदा then, वाग्मिन: eloquent, धीरा: sagacious, विप्रा: brahmins, तदा then, कर्मान्तरे in between ceremonies, परस्परजिगीषया mutually desirous of victory, बहून् various, हेतुवादान् disputations, प्राहु: च engaged.

In the interval between ceremonies, eloquent and sagacious brahmins were engaged in various disputations, desirous of victory.

दिवसे दिवसे तत्र संस्तरे कुशला द्विजा:।

सर्वकर्माणि चक्रुस्ते यथाशास्त्रं प्रचोदिता:।।1.14.18।।

संस्तरे in the sacrifice, कुशला: skilful, द्विजा: brahmins, दिवसे दिवसे every day, तत्र there, प्रचोदिता: persuaded by sage Vasistha, सर्वकर्माणि all their duties, यथाशास्त्रम् as per tradition, चक्रु: performed.

Every day in that sacrifice brahmins, skilful in rituals, persuaded (by sage Vasishta), performed all their duties as per tradition.

नाषडङ्गविदत्रासीन्नाव्रतो नाबहुश्रुत:।

सदस्यास्तस्य वै राज्ञो नावादकुशला द्विजा:।।1.14.19।।

अत्र in this sacrificial pavillion, अषडङ्गवित् not versed in six vedangas, नासीत् not there, अव्रत: unfaithful to vowed observances, न not there, अबहुश्रुत: not learned in many shastras, न not there, तस्य राज्ञ: that king's, सदस्या: assistants at a sacrifice, नावादकुशला: not skilful in disputations in shastras, न वै not there.

Here (in this sacrificial pavillion), there was none who was not versed in six Vedangas,
not true to vows, not learned in many sastras nor adept in discussions (on sastras).

प्राप्ते यूपोच्छ्रये तस्मिन्षड्बैल्वा: खादिरास्तथा।

तावन्तो बिल्वसहिता: पर्णिनश्च तथापरे।।1.14.20।।

श्लेष्मातकमयस्त्वेको देवदारुमयस्तथा।

द्वावेव विहितौ तत्र बाहुव्यस्तपरिग्रहौ।।1.14.21।।

तस्मिन् in that sacrifice, यूपोच्छ्रये in erecting sacrificial posts, प्राप्ते (सति) when the time, बैल्वा: bilva wood, षट् six, तथा and, बिल्वसहिता: along with bilva posts, तावन्त: as many, खादिरा: Khadira, तथा and, पर्णिन: च having leaves, अपरे some more posts, एक: one, श्लेष्मातकमय: made of Sleshmataka, तथा and, देवदारुमय: made of trees of Devadaru, तत्र there, द्वौ two, बाहुव्यस्तपरिग्रहावेव at a distance of two outstretched hands, विहितौ were erected.

When the time came to erect sacrificial posts, six posts, each made of bilva, khadira, parni, sleshmataka and two of devadaru wood, with a distance of two outstretched hands between them were erected.

तस्मिन् in that sacrifice, यूपोच्छ्रये inerecting sacrificial posts, प्राप्ते (सति) when the time has come nearer, बैल्वा: Bilva wood, षट् six, तथा and, बिल्वसहिता: along with Bilva posts, तावन्त: as many, खादिरा: Khadira, तथा and, पर्णिन: च having Parnas leaves, अपरे some more posts, एक: one, श्लेष्मातकमय: made of Sleshmataka, तथा and, देवदारुमय: made of trees of Devadaru, तत्र there, द्वौ two, बाहुव्यस्तपरिग्रहावेव at a distance of two outstretched hands, विहितौ were erected.

When the time came to erect sacrificial posts, six posts each made of bilva and khadira wood and many made of parni wood along, one of sleshmataka and two of devadaru wood, with a distance of two outstretched hands between them were erected.

कारितास्सर्व एवैते शास्त्रज्ञैर्यज्ञकोविदै:।

शोभार्थं तस्य यज्ञस्य काञ्चनालङ्कृताऽभवन्।।1.14.22।।

शास्त्रज्ञै: by the knowers of shastras, यज्ञकोविदै: who well versed in performance of sacrifice, कारिता: were made, एते सर्वे एव all these posts, तस्य यज्ञस्य of that sacrifice, शोभार्थम् for elegance, काञ्चनालङ्कृता: decorated with gold, अभवन् became.

All these posts were prepared by knowers of sastras and by those wellversed in the performance of sacrifices. They were decorated with gold to add elegance to the sacrifice.

एकविंशतियूपास्ते एकविंशत्यरत्नय:।

वासोभिरेकविंशद्भिरेकैकं समलङ्कृता:।।1.14.23।।

एकविंशत्यरत्नय: measuring twenty one 'Aratni ' (distance from elbow to the tip of little finger), ते those, एकविंशतियूपा: twenty one posts, एकविंशद्भि: by twenty one, वासोभि: pieces of cloth, एकैकम् one for each post, समलङ्कृता: well decorated.

These twentyone sacrificial posts, each measuring twentyone 'aratni' height, were welldecorated wrapped in a piece of cloth.

विन्यस्ता विधिवत्सर्वे शिल्पिभिस्सुकृता दृढा:।

अष्टाश्रयस्सर्व एव श्लक्ष्णरूपसमन्विता:।।1.14.24।।

सर्वे all of them, शिल्पिभि: by the sculptors, सुकृता: were well carved, दृढा: strong, अष्टाश्रय: having eight sides, श्लक्ष्णरूपसमन्विता: had finely finished surfaces, सर्वे all those, विधिवत् as per tradition, विन्यस्ता: were erected.

All those posts, strong with eight sides and finely finished surfaces, wellcarved by sculptors were duly erected.

आच्छादितास्ते वासोभि: पुष्पैर्गन्धैश्च भूषिता:।

सप्तर्षयो दीप्तिमन्तो विराजन्ते यथा दिवि।।1.14.25।।

वासोभि: with cloths, आच्छादिता: were covered, पुष्पै: with flowers, गन्धैश्च with sandalwood paste, भूषिता: decorated, ते those posts, दीप्तिमन्त: glowing, दिवि in the sky, सप्तर्षय: seven sages, यथा in a similar manner, विराजन्ते illuminated.

Decorated with flowers and sandal paste and covered with cloths, stood the bright sacrificial posts shining like seven sages in the sky.

इष्टकाश्च यथान्यायं कारिताश्च प्रमाणत:।

चितोऽग्निर्ब्राह्मणैस्तत्र कुशलैश्शुल्बकर्मणि ।।1.14.26।।

तत्र there, यथान्यायम् as per shastras, प्रमाणत: with standard measurement, इष्टका: bricks, कारिता were made, शुल्बकर्मणि in the science of construction using a measuring rope, कुशलै: accomplished, ब्राह्मणै: brahmins, अग्नि: sacrificial fire place, चित: gathered and laid bricks were prepared as per standard measurment mentioned in shastras.

The sacrificial fireplace was constructed with bricks with standard measurement by brahmins who were experts in the art of measuring land with a string or single strand.

सचित्यो राजसिंहस्य सञ्चित: कुशलैर्द्विजै:।

गरुडो रुक्मपक्षो वै त्रिगुणोऽष्टादशात्मक:।।1.14.27।।

कुशलै: by the skilled, द्विजै: brahmins, रुक्मपक्ष: golden winged, त्रिगुण: thrice, अष्टादशात्मक: eighteen in number, गरुड: like eagle, राजसिंहस्य of Dasaratha who was lion among kings, सचित्य: sacrificial altar, सञ्चित: was erected.

That sacrificial altar of the lion among kings, (Dasaratha), erected by welltrained brahmins was in the shape of the golden winged 'Garuda' it had three ranges and thrice as many fireplaces i.e eighteen in number.

नियुक्तास्तत्र पशवस्तत्तदुद्दिश्य दैवतम्।

उरगा: पक्षिणश्चैव यथाशास्त्रं प्रचोदिता:।।1.14.28।।

तत्र there, यथाशास्त्रम् as per tradition, प्रचोदिता: prompted, पशव: animals, उरगा: serpants, पक्षिणश्चैव birds also, तत्तत् that respective, दैवतम् deity, उद्दिश्य intended for, नियुक्ता: were fastened.

Animals, serpents and birds were kept ready after the sastras intended (for sacrifice) for those respective deities.

शामित्रे तु हयस्तत्र तथा जलचराश्च ये।

ऋत्विग्भिस्सर्वमेवैतन्नियुक्तं शास्त्रतस्तदा।।1.14.29।।

तदा then, शामित्रे तु in the act of killing animals, तत्र there, हय: horse, तथा and, ये other, जलचरा: aquatic animals, एतत्सर्वम् all these, ऋत्विग्भि: by chief priests, शास्त्रत: in accordance with tradition, नियुक्तम् tied up.

When the time came to sacrifice the animals, the chief priests, in accordance with tradition, tied up the horse and all the aquatic animals to the sacrificial posts.

पशूनां त्रिशतं तत्र यूपेषु नियतं तदा।

अश्वरत्नोत्तमं तस्य राज्ञो दशरथस्य च ।।1.14.30।।

तदा then, तत्र there, पशूनाम् of animals, त्रिशतम् three hundred, तस्य राज्ञ: that king's, अश्वरत्नोत्तमम् the excellent of the horses from the stables, यूपेषु to the sacrificial posts, नियतम् was bound.

Three hundred animals and the jewel of the horses (from the stables) belonging to king Dasaratha were bound to the sacrificial posts.

कौसल्या तं हयं तत्र परिचर्य समन्तत:।

कृपाणैर्विशशासैनं त्रिभि: परमया मुदा ।।1.14.31।।

तत्र there, कौशल्या Kausalya, तम् that, हयम् horse, समन्तत: from all sides, परिचर्य having worshipped worship, परमया with immense, मुदा glee, त्रिभि: by three strokes of, कृपाणै: scimitar, एनम् this, विशशास severed.

Kausalya, with immense glee having gone round and worshipped that horse, severed it with three strokes of scimitar.

पतत्रिणा तदा सार्धं सुस्थितेन च चेतसा।

अवसद्रजनीमेकां कौशल्या धर्मकाम्यया।।1.14.32।।

तदा then, कौशल्या Kausalya, सुस्थितेन चेतसा with a stable mind, धर्मकाम्यया with devotion to duty, पतत्रिणा सार्थम् near that horse, एकाम् one, रजनीम् night, अवसत् spent.

Kausalya, in her devotion to duty and with a happy state of mind, passed one night near that horse.

होताऽध्वर्युस्तथोद्गाता हस्तेन समयोजयन्।

महिष्या परिवृत्त्या च वावातां च तथापराम्।।1.14.33।।

होता Hota, अध्वर्यु: Adhvaryu, तथा and, उद्गाता Udgata, महिष्या with Mahishi (principal queen at the time of coronation), परिवृत्त्या च (overlooked wife) Parivritti, वावाताम् (a courtesan) Vavaata, अपराम् (attender on the king) other woman (known as Palakali), हस्तेन with hand, समयोजयन् touched.

Hota, Adhvaryu and Udgata arranged Mahishi, Parivritti, Vavaata and another woman known as Palakali to touch (keep the company of) the sacrificial horse.

पतत्रिणस्तस्य वपा मुद्धृत्य नियतेन्द्रिय:।

ऋत्विक्परमसम्पन्न: श्रपयामास शास्त्रत:।।1.14.34।।

नियतेन्द्रिय: a man of restrained senses, परमसम्पन्न: very rich in the knowledge of scriptures, ऋत्विक् official priest, तस्य that, पतत्रिण: horse's, वपाम् marrow, उद्धृत्य having removed, शास्त्रत: according to tradition, श्रपयामास cooked.

The official priest, highly knowledgeable in scriptures and having restrained senses, removed the marrow from the horse and cooked it according to tradition.

धूमगन्धं वपायास्तु जिघ्रति स्म नराधिप:।

यथाकालं यथान्यायं निर्णुदन्पापमात्मन:।।1.14.35।।

नराधिप: king Dasaratha, यथाकालम् in an appropriate time, यथान्यायम् in agreement with the scriptures, आत्मन: his own, पापम् sins, निर्णुदन् while getting rid of, वपाया: of the marrow, धूमगन्धम् good odour of the smoke, जिघ्रति स्म inhaled.

The king at appropriate time and in agreement with the scriptures inhaled the odour of the smoke (from the burnt marrow) and absolved himself of his sins.

हयस्य यानि चाङ्गानि तानि सर्वाणि ब्राह्मणा:।

अग्नौ प्रास्यन्ति विधिवत्समन्त्राष्षोडशर्त्विज:।।1.14.36।।

हयस्य horse's, यानि अङ्गानि those limbs, तानि सर्वाणि all of them, समन्त्रा: with prayers, षोडश ऋत्विज: sixteen officiating priests, ब्राह्मणा: brahmins, विधिवत् as per the customs, अग्नौ in the fire, प्रास्यन्ति offered.

The sixteen officiating priests (brahmins) offered all the horse's limbs with prayers as per the customs.

प्लक्षशाखासु यज्ञानामन्येषां क्रियते हवि:।

अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य वैतसो भाग इष्यते।।1.14.37।।

अन्येषाम् of other, यज्ञानाम् sacrifices, हवि: oblations, प्लक्षशाखासु in the brahches of Plaksha tree, क्रियते was offered, अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य of Aswamedha sacrifice, भाग: one portion of Havis, वैतस: cane creeper, इष्यते chosen.

In other sacrifices oblations are offered with branches of a plaksha tree but in Aswamedha a branch of cane creeper is chosen instead.

त्र्यहोऽश्वमेधस्सङ्ख्यात: कल्पसूत्रेण ब्राह्मणै:। 37

चतुष्टोममहस्तस्य प्रथमं परिकल्पितम्।।1.14.38।।

ब्राह्मणै: by brahmins, कल्पसूत्रेण according to Kalpa sutra, अश्वमेध: Aswamedha, त्र्यह: having three days duration, सङ्ख्यात: is reckoned, तस्य of that, प्रथमम् first, अह: day, चतुष्टोम: chatushtoma, परिकल्पितम् planned.

According to Kalpa sutra, aswamedha in conducted for three days. In the first day, chatushtoma is arranged.

उक्थ्यं द्वितीयं संख्यातमतिरात्रं तथोत्तरम्।

कारितास्तत्र बहवो विहिताश्शास्त्रदर्शनात्।।1.14.39।।

द्वितीयम् on the second day, उक्थ्यम् Ukthya, तथा and, उत्तरम् on the following day, अतिरात्रम् Atiraatra, सङ्ख्यातम् is declared, तत्र In that sacrifice, शास्त्रदर्शनात् according to scriptural knowledge, विहिता: imposed, बहव: many, कारिता: were performed.

On the second day Ukthya and on the third day Atiraatra were performed. Many sacrifices fixed according to the scriptures were also performed.

ज्योतिष्टोमायुषी चैवमतिरात्रौ विनिर्मितौ।

अभिजिद्विश्वजिच्चैवमप्तोर्यामो महाक्रतु:।।1.14.40।।

ज्योतिष्टोमायुषी Jyotishtoma and Ayuryaga, एवम् and, अतिरात्रौ in Atiratri, विनिर्मितौ were advised, अभिजित् Abhijit, विश्वजित् Viswajit, एवम् and, अप्तोर्याम: Aptoryama, महाक्रतु: great sacrifice, were performed.

Jyotishtoma and Ayuryaga in Atiratra, Abhijit, Viswajit and Aptoryama ceremonies constituting the great sacrifice were performed in the prescribed manner.

प्राचीं होत्रे ददौ राजा दिशं स्वकुलवर्धन:।

अध्वर्यवे प्रतीचीं तु ब्रह्मणे दक्षिणां दिशम्।।1.14.41।।

उद्गात्रे च तथोदीचीं दक्षिणैषा विनिर्मिता।

हयमेधे महायज्ञे स्वयंभूविहिते पुरा।।1.14.42।।

स्वकुलवर्धन: promoter of his dynasty, राजा Dasaratha, होत्रे to Hotar, प्राचीं दिशम् easten region, ददौ gave, अध्वर्यवे to Adhvaryu, प्रतीचीम् western side, ब्रह्मणे to Brahma, दक्षिणां दिशम् southern region, तथा and, उद्गात्रे to Udgata, उदीचीम् northern region, पुरा long ago, स्वयम्भूविहिते prescribed by Brahma, हयमेधे महायज्ञे in the mighty horsesacrifice, एषा this, दक्षिणा offering, विनिर्मिता is fixed.

In order to promote his dynasty, king Dasaratha gave away eastern region to Hotar, western region to Adhvaryu, southern region to Brahma and northern region to Udgata. These offerings were made in accordance with theprescriptions by Brahma long all.

क्रतुं समाप्य तु तदा न्यायत: पुरुषर्षभ: ।

ऋत्विग्भ्यो हि ददौ राजा तां धरां कुलवर्धन:।।1.14.43।।

पुरुषर्षभ: best among men, राजा king Dasaratha, कुलवर्धन: upholder of his dynasty, क्रतुम् समाप्य having concluded the sacrifice, तदा then, न्यायत: according to law, तां धराम् that earth, ऋत्विग्भ्य: for priests, ददौ offered.

The king best among men and upholder of his dynasty, having concluded the sacrifice according to law, offered this entire earth as gift to priests.

ऋत्विजस्त्वब्रुवन्सर्वे राजानं गतकल्मषम्।

भवानेव महीं कृत्स्नामेको रक्षितुमर्हति।।1.14.44।।

सर्वे all, ऋत्विजस्तु priests on their part, गतकल्मषम् purged of all sins, राजानम् the king, अब्रुवन् said, भवान् you, एक:एव you alone, कृत्स्नाम् entire, महीम् earth, रक्षितुमर्हति are worthy of protection.

But all the priests said to the king purged of his sins, "O Lord of men you alone are capable of protecting this earth".

न भूम्या कार्यमस्माकं न हि शक्तास्स्म पालने।

रतास्स्वाध्यायकरणे वयं नित्यं हि भूमिप।।1.14.45।।

निष्क्रयं किञ्चिदेवेह प्रयच्छतु भवानिति। 4

भूमिप O Ruler of the earth, भूम्या with earth, अस्माकम् for us, न कार्यम् have nothing to do, पालने in ruling, न हि शक्ता: we are not capable, वयम् we, नित्यम् constantly, स्वाध्यायकरणे in studying of vedas, रता: हि are dedicated indeed, भवान् you, इह in the matter of this offering, किञ्चित् whatever, निष्क्रयम् in lieu value, प्रयच्छतु may confer.

"O ruler of the earth We are constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas. We are not capable of ruling the earth and we cannot do anything with its possession. Give some other charity in lieu of that.

मणिरत्नं सुवर्णं वा गावो यद्वा समुद्यतम्।

तत्प्रयच्छ नरश्रेष्ठ धरण्या न प्रयोजनम्।।1.14.46।।

नरश्रेष्ठ O best of men, मणिरत्नम् a precious gem, सुवर्णं वा or gold, गाव: cows, यद्वा or else, समुद्यतम् is ready, तत् that, प्रयच्छ give, धरण्या with earth, प्रयोजनं न no use.

O best of men give us gems or gold or cows or whichever is readily available. We have no use with this earth".

एवमुक्तो नरपतिर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगै:।।1.14.47।।

गवां शतसहस्राणि दश तेभ्यो ददौ नृप:। 4

शतकोटीस्सुवर्णस्य रजतस्य चतुर्गुणम् ।।1.14.48।।

नरपति: lord of men, नृप: king Dasaratha, वेदपारगै: by scholars who were well learned in vedas, ब्राह्मणै: by brahmins, एवम् in this manner, उक्त: having spoken, तेभ्य: for them, गवां दश शतसहस्राणि ten hundred thousands, सुवर्णस्य gold, शतकोटी: hundred crores, रजतस्य of silver, चतुर्गुणम् four times as much, ददौ bestowed.

Lord of men, the king having been thus addressed by brahmins who were wellversed in the Vedas, bestowed on them ten hundred thousand cows, a hundred crore of gold coins and four times as much in silver coins.

ऋत्विजश्च ततस्सर्वे प्रददुस्सहिता वसु।

ऋश्यशृङ्गाय मुनये वसिष्ठाय च धीमते।।1.14.49।।

तत: thereafter, ऋत्विज: priests, सर्वे all, सहिता: together, वसु wealth, ऋश्यशृङ्गाय मुनये for sage Rsyasringa, धीमते to the man endowed with prudence, वसिष्ठाय to vasistha, प्रददु: gave.

All the priests collectively offered that wealth to sage Rsyasringa and Vasishta endowed with prudence.

ततस्ते न्यायत: कृत्वा प्रविभागं द्विजोत्तमा:।

सुप्रीतमनसस्सर्वे प्रत्यूचुर्मुदिता भृशम्।।1.14.50।।

तत: then, सुप्रीतमनस: highly pleased, ते द्विजोत्तमा: those brahmins, सर्वे all, न्यायत: with equity, प्रविभागम् share, कृत्वा having made, भृशम् exceedingly, मुदिता: delighted, प्रत्यूचु: replied.

Then those highly pleased brahmins, having distributed that wealth with equity, again said to the king.

तत: प्रसर्पकैभ्यस्तु हिरण्यं सुसमाहित:।

जाम्बूनदं कोटिसंख्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ तदा।।1.14.51।।

तत: thereafter, तदा then, सुसमाहित: with earnestness, प्रसर्पकैभ्य: to those who have come to see the sacrifice, ब्राह्मणेभ्य: to brahmins, कोटिसंख्यम् one crore of, जाम्बूनदम् gold, ददौ bestowed.

Thereafter, with earnestness king Dasaratha bestowed a crore of gold coins to brahmins who had come to see the sacrifice.

दरिद्राय द्विजायाथ हस्ताभरणमुत्तमम्।

कस्मैचिद्याचमानाय ददौ राघवनन्दन:।।1.14.52।।

अथ there after, राघवनन्दन: Dasaratha, याचमानाय soliciting, कस्मैचित् one such, दरिद्राय poor, द्विजाय brahmin, उत्तमम् excellent, हस्ताभरणम् bracelet, ददौ gave.

Dasaratha then gave his excellent bracelet to a poor brahmin who solicited alms.

तत: प्रीतेषु नृपतिर्द्विजेषु द्विजवत्सल:।

प्रणाममकरोत्तेषां हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षण:।।1.14.53।।

तत: then, द्विजवत्सल: affectionate towards brahmins, नृपति: king, द्विजेषु when brahmins, प्रीतेषु (सत्सु) were highly pleased, हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षण: with his eyes filled with delight, तेषाम् for them, प्रणामम् अकरोत् bowed low before them.

When the brahmins were pleased, king Dasaratha who was fond of brahmins bowed to them with his eyes filled with delight.

तस्याशिषोऽथ विधिवद्ब्राह्मणैस्समुदीरिता:।

उदारस्य नृवीरस्य धरण्यां प्रणतस्य च ।।1.14.54।।

अथ there after, उदारस्य of the generous, नृवीरस्य of him who was mighty among men, धरण्याम् on the earth, प्रणतस्य prostrated, तस्य for him, ब्राह्मणै: by brahmins, विधिवत् according to procedure, आशिष: blessings, समुदीरिता: were uttered.

Brahmins uttered blessings upon the generous king when he prostrated before them
according to procedure.

तत: प्रीतमना राजा प्राप्य यज्ञमनुत्तमम्।

पापापहं स्वर्नयनं दुष्करं पार्थिवर्षभै:।।1.14.55।।

तत: there after, राजा king Dasaratha, पापापहम् capable of removing sins, स्वर्नयनम् leading to heaven, पार्थिवर्षभै: for monarchs, दुष्करम् incapable of being done, अनुत्तमम् greatest, यज्ञम् sacrifice, प्राप्य having performed, प्रीतमना: cheerful heart.

Sacrifice destroys sins. It leads to heaven. It is incapable of being done by other monarchs. King Dasaratha was very much pleased after performing this great sacrifice.

ततोऽब्रवीदृश्यशृङ्गं राजा दशरथस्तदा।

कुलस्य वर्धनं त्वं तु कर्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत।।1.14.56।।

तत: there after, दशरथ: राजा king Dasaratha, तदा then, ऋष्यशृङ्गम् addressing Rsyasringa, अब्रवीत् said, सुव्रत O Adherent of vows, कुलस्य of the race, वर्धनम् continuity, त्वम् you,कर्तुम् to do, अर्हसि deserve.

King Dasaratha then addressing Rsyasringa said "O Adherent of vows you can help the continuity of my race".

तथेति च स राजानमुवाच द्विजसत्तम:।

भविष्यन्ति सुता राजंश्चत्वारस्ते कुलोद्वहा:।।1.14.57।।

द्विजसत्तम: best of brahmins, तथेति be it so, राजानम् addressing king Dasaratha, उवाच said, राजन् O king, ते to you, कुलोद्वहा: perpetuating race, चत्वार: four, सुता: sons, भविष्यन्ति will be born.

Rsyasringa, the best of brahmins, addressing the king said, "O King Let it be. Four sons perpetuating your race will be born to you".
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे चतुर्दशस्सर्ग:।।
Thus ends the fourteenth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.