Sloka & Translation

[Dasaratha commends to the assembly of elders and counsellors for installation of Rama as Prince Regent-- Assembly approves the proposal of Dasaratha with delight describing the virtues of Rama in support of their approval.]

ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः।

हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः।।2.2.1।।


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

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

स्वरेण महता राजा जीमूत इव नादयन्।।2.2.2।।

राजलक्षणयुक्तेन कान्तेनानुपमेन च।

उवाच रसयुक्तेन स्वरेण नृपतिर्नृपान्।।2.2.3।।
 

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

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

पूर्वकैर्मम राजेन्द्रैस्सुतवत्परिपालितम्।।2.2.4।।


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

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

श्रेयसा योक्तुकामोऽस्मि सुखार्हमखिलं जगत्।।2.2.5।।


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

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

प्रजा नित्यमनिद्रेण यथाशक्त्यभिरक्षिताः।।2.2.6।।
 

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

Following the path of my forefathers I protected the people to the best of my ability by being ever vigilant.
इदं शरीरं कृत्स्नस्य लोकस्य चरता हितम्।

पाण्डुरस्याऽतपत्रस्यच्छायायां जरितं मया।।2.2.7।।


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

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

जीर्णस्यास्य शरीरस्य विश्रान्तिमभिरोचये।।2.2.8।।


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

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

परिश्रान्तोऽस्मि लोकस्य गुर्वीं धर्मधुरं वहन्।।2.2.9।।


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

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

सन्निकृष्टानिमान्सर्वाननुमान्य द्विजर्षभान्।।2.2.10।।


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

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

पुरन्दरसमो वीर्ये रामः परपुरञ्जयः।।2.2.11।।


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

My eldest son Rama, inheriting every virtue of mine, is a conqueror of enemy cities and is equal to Indra in prowess.
तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम्।

यौवराज्ये नियोक्ताऽस्मि प्रीतः पुरुषपुङ्गवम्।।2.2.12।।


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

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

त्रैलोक्यमपि नाथेन येन स्यान्नाथवत्तरम्।।2.2.13।।


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

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

गतक्लेशो भविष्यामि सुते तस्मिन्निवेश्य वै।।2.2.14।।


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

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

भवन्तो मेऽनुमन्यन्तां कथं वा करवाण्यहम्।।2.2.15।।


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

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

अन्या मध्यस्थचिन्ता हि विमर्दाभ्यधिकोदया।।2.2.16।।


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

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

वृष्टिमन्तं महामेघं नर्दन्त इव बर्हिणः।।2.2.17।।


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

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

जनौघोद्घुष्टसन्नादो विमानं कम्पयन्निव।।2.2.18।।


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

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

ब्राह्मणा जनमुख्याश्च पौरजानपदै स्सह।।2.2.19।।

समेत्य मन्त्रयित्वा तु समतागतबुद्धयः।

ऊचुश्च मनसा ज्ञात्वा वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्।।2.2.20।।


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

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

स रामं युवराजानमभिषिञ्चिस्व पार्थिवम्।।2.2.21।।


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

O mighty king, you have grown many thousands of years old. Therefore, you should coronate Rama as prince regent of this kingdom.
इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम्।

गजेन महताऽयान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम्।।2.2.22।।


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

We cherish to see the mightyarmed hero among the Raghus, Rama, riding on a majestic elephant, his countenance shadowed by the royal parasol.
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा तेषां मनःप्रियं।

अजानन्निव जिज्ञासुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.2.23।।


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

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

राजान स्संशयोऽयं मे किमिदं ब्रूत तत्त्वतः।।2.2.24।।


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

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

भवन्तो द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति युवराजं ममात्मजम्।।2.2.25।।


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

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

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


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

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

प्रियानानन्दनान्कृत्स्नान्प्रवक्ष्यामोऽद्य तान् शृणु।।2.2.27।।


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

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

इक्ष्वाकुभ्योऽपि सर्वेभ्यो ह्यतिरिक्तो विशांपते।।2.2.28।।


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

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

साक्षाद्रामाद्विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह।।2.2.29।।


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

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

बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये साक्षाच्छचीपतेः।।2.2.30।।


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

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

क्षान्तः सान्त्वयिता श्लक्ष्णः कृतज्ञो विजितेन्द्रियः।।2.2.31।।
 

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

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

प्रियवादी च भूतानां सत्यवादी च राघवः।।2.2.32।।

बहुश्रुतानां वृद्धानां ब्राह्मणानामुपासिता।

तेनास्येहाऽतुला कीर्तिर्यशस्तेजश्च वर्धते।।2.2.33।।


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

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

सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत्साङ्गवेदवित्।।2.2.34।।


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

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

कल्याणाभिजन स्साधुरदीनात्मा महामतिः।।2.2.35।।


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

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

यदा व्रजति सङ्ग्रामं ग्रामार्थे नगरस्य वा।।2.2.36।।

गत्वा सौमित्रिसहितो नाऽविजित्य निवर्तते।


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

Whenever he, wellinstructed in all matters by the best of brahmins wellversed in dharma and artha proceeds along with Lakshmana to wage a war for the sake of a village or a town, he never returns without conquering the enemy.
सङ्ग्रामात्पुनरागम्य कुञ्जरेण रथेन वा।2.2.37।।

पौरान् स्वजनवन्नित्यं कुशलं परिपृच्छति।।

पुत्रेष्वग्निषु दारेषु प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च।2.2.38।।

निखिलेनानुपूर्व्याच्च पितापुत्रानिवौरसान्।।


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

While returning from the battlefield, either on a chariot or an elephant Rama stops and enquires in detail and in order, the welfare of the citizens as he would do for his kith and kin. He enquires about the welfare of their children, sacred rituals, wives, their servants and disciples as a father would enquire of his sons.
शुश्रूषन्ते च व श्शिष्याः कच्चित्कर्मसु दंशिताः।।2.2.39।।

इति नः पुरुषव्याघ्र स्सदा रामोऽभिभाषते।


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

Rama, a tiger among men, always enquires whether our disciples discharge their duties.
व्यसनेषु मनुष्याणां भृशं भवति दुःखितः।।2.2.40।।

उत्सवेषु च सर्वेषु पितेव परितुष्यति।


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

He grieves profoundly whenever people are afflicted by misfortunes (and) rejoices like a father on festive occasions.
सत्यवादी महेष्वासो वृद्धसेवी जितेन्द्रियः।।2.2.41।।

स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च धर्मं सर्वात्मना श्रितः।


सत्यवादी one who speaks the truth, महेष्वास: one who is a great archer, वृद्धसेवी one who serves the aged, जितेद्रिय: one who has conquered his senses, स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च speaks with a smiling face, सर्वात्मना wholeheartedly, धर्मं श्रित: takes refuge in dharma.
.
He is one who speaks the truth. He is a great archer, one who has conquered his senses and serves the aged. He speaks with a smile and protects dharma with all his heart.
सम्यग्योक्ता श्रेयसां च न विगृह्य कथारुचिः।।2.2.42।।

उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा।


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

He helps those who take refuge in him. He is not interested in conversation leading to dissentions. But during debates he is eloquent like Brihaspati (establing the truth on the basis of reasoning).
सुभ्रूः आयतताम्राक्षः साक्षाद्विष्णुरिव स्वयम्।।2.2.43।।

रामो लोकाभिरामोऽयं शौर्यवीर्यपराक्रमैः।
 

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

Rama, who is the source of delight to the world, has charming eyebrows and large coppercoloured eyes. He is endowed with heroism, bravery and valour like Visnu manifested.
प्रजापालनतत्त्वज्ञो न रागोपहतेन्द्रियः।।2.2.44।।

शक्तस्त्रैलोक्यमप्येको भोक्तुं किन्नु महीमिमाम्।


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

He is proficient in the ways and means of ruling the people. His senses are not overpowered by passion. He alone is capable of ruling the three worlds, what to speak the earth
नास्य क्रोधः प्रसादश्च निरर्थोऽस्ति कदाचन।।2.2.45।।

हन्त्येव नियमाद्वध्यानवध्ये न च कुप्यति।


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

His anger or favour never goes in vain. He kills those who rightly deserve to be killed and flares not at those whose life is to be spared.
युनक्त्यर्थैः प्रहृष्टश्च तमसौ यत्र तुष्यति।।2.2.46।।

शान्तै स्सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसञ्जननैर्नृणाम्।

गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्त स्सूर्य इवांशुभिः।।2.2.47।।


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

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

लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी।।2.2.48।।


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

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

दिष्ट्या पुत्रगुणैर्युक्तो मारीच इव काश्यपः।।2.2.49।।


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

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

देवासुरमनुष्येषु सगन्धर्वोरगेषु च।।2.2.50।।

आशंसते जनस्सर्वो राष्ट्रे पुरवरे तथा।

आभ्यन्तरश्च बाह्यश्च पौरजानपदो जनः।।2.2.51।।
 

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

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

सर्वान् देवान् नमस्यन्ति रामस्यार्थे यशस्विनः।।2.2.52।।


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

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

राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्।।2.2.53।।

पश्यामो यौवराज्यस्थं तव राजोत्तमात्मजम्।


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

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

सर्वस्य लोकस्य हिते निविष्टम्।

हिताय नः क्षिप्रमुदारजुष्टं

मुदाऽभषेक्तुं वरद त्वमर्हसि।।2.2.54।।


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

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