Sloka & Translation

[Vasistha advises Rama and Sita to undertake fast preparatory to coronation.]

सन्दिश्य रामं नृपति श्श्वोभाविन्यभिषेचने।

पुरोहितं समाहूय वशिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.5.1।।


नृपतिः the king, रामम् Rama, सन्दिश्य having instructed, पुरोहितम् priest, वशिष्ठम् Vasistha, समाहूय summoning, श्वः on the following day, भाविनि about to take place, अभिषेचने with regard to coronation, इदम् these words, अब्रवीत् spoke.

The king having instructed Rama summoned Vasistha, the priest and spoke to him about the coronation that was to take place on the following day
गच्छोपवासं काकुत्स्थं कारयाद्य तपोधन।

श्रीयशोराज्यलाभाय वध्वा सह यतव्रतम्।।2.5.2।।


तपोधन O sage whose wealth is asceticism, गच्छ go, अद्य today, यतव्रतम् strictly observing vows, काकुत्स्थम् son of the family of Kakutstha (Rama), श्रीयशोराज्यलाभाय for securing prosperity, fame and kingdom, वध्वा सह along with my daughterinlaw, उपवासम् कारय advise him to undertake fast.

Could you, O sage, whose wealth is asceticism go to Rama engaged in strict observance of vows and advise him along with Sita, my daughterinlaw to undertake fast for securing prosperity, fame and kingdom.
तथेति च स राजानमुक्त्वा वेदविदां वरः।

स्वयं वसिष्ठो भगवान्ययौ रामनिवेशनम्।।2.5.3।।

उपवासयितुं रामं मन्त्रवन्मन्त्रकोविदः।

ब्राह्मं रथवरं युक्तमास्थाय सुदृढव्रतः।।2.5.4।।


वेदविदाम् of those who know the Vedas, वरः best, मन्त्रकोविदः skilled in mantras, सुदृढव्रतः one who is firm in his vows, भगवान् venerable, सः वसिष्ठः that Vasistha, तथा इति Be it so, राजानाम् king, उक्त्वा having said, युक्तम् harnessed, ब्राह्मम् befitting a brahmin, रथवरम् best of chariots, आस्थाय having mounted, रामम् to Rama, मन्त्रवत् in accompaniment with mantras, उपवासयितुम् to make him fast, स्वयम् personally, रामनिवेशनम् to the abode of Rama, ययौ went.

Venerabel Vasistha, the best amongst the knowers of the Vedas, skilled in mantras and firm in his vows said to the king, 'Be it so.' Thereafter, mounted on the best of the chariots befitting a brahmin, with horses harnesed he proceeded personally to the abode of Rama to ask him to undertake a fast in accompaniment with mantras preceding the installation ceremony.
स रामभवनं प्राप्य पाण्डुराभ्रघनप्रभम्।

तिस्रः कक्ष्या रथेनैव विवेशमुनिसत्तमः।।2.5.5।।


सः मुनिसत्तमः that foremost of ascetics, पाण्डुराभ्रघनप्रभम् shining like a mass of white clouds beaming with brightness, रामभवनम् abode of Rama, प्राप्य having reached, तिस्रः three, कक्ष्याः yards, रथेनैव mounted on the chariot itself, विवेश entered.

Having crossed the three courtyards in the chariot, that foremost of ascetics (Vasistha) entered Rams's abode, shining like a mass of white clouds.
तमागतमृषिं रामस्त्वरन्निव ससम्भ्रमः।

मानयिष्यन्समानार्हं निश्चक्राम निवेशनात्।।2.5.6।।


सः रामः that Rama, मानार्हम् worthy of honour, आगतम् who arrived pale, तम् ऋषिम् to the sage (Vasistha), मानयिष्यन् to pay respect, त्वरन्निव quickly, ससम्भ्रमः in great excitement, निवेशनात् from his abode, निश्चक्राम came out.

Seeing the venerable sage(Vasitha) arrive, Rama quickly came out of his abode in great excitement to receive him with honour.
अभ्येत्य त्वरमाणश्च रथाभ्याशं मनीषिणः।

ततोऽवतारयामास परिगृह्य रथात्स्वयम्।।2.5.7।।


मनीषिणः sagacious Vasistha's, रथाभ्याशम् near the chariot, त्वरमाणः hastening steps, अभ्येत्य having approached, ततः thereafter, रथात् from the chariot, स्वयम् personally , परिगृह्य holding(his hand), अवतारयामास got him alighted.

Hastening with rapid strides, Rama approached the chariot of the sagacious Vasistha and personally helped him alight from the chariot.
स चैनं प्रश्रितं दृष्ट्वा सम्भाष्याभिप्रसाद्य च।

प्रियार्हं हर्षयन्राममित्युवाच पुरोहितः।।2.5.8।।


सः पुरोहितः च the family priest also, प्रियार्हम् lovable words, प्रश्रितम् humble, एनम् रामम् to this Rama, दृष्ट्वा having seen, संभाष्य having addressed him, अभिप्रसाद्य च and making him gratified, हर्षयन् causing him delight, इति thus, उवाच said.

The family priest Vasistha also, having gratified him by enquiring about his welfare, said thus to Rama, who was humble and lovable:
प्रसन्नस्ते पिता राम यौवराज्यमवाप्स्यसि।

उपवासं भवानद्य करोतु सह सीतया।।2.5.9।।


राम O Rama, ते with you, पिता (your) father, प्रसन्नः welldisposed, यौवराज्यम् as heirapparent, अवाप्स्यसि will obtain, भवान् you, अद्य today, सह सीतया with Sita, उपवासं करोतु undertake fast.

O Rama, welldisposed towards you, your father will declare you heirapparent. Do undertake fast today, along with Sita.
प्रातस्त्वामभिषेक्ता हि यौवराज्ये नराधिपः।

पिता दशरथः प्रीत्या ययातिं नहुषो यथा।।2.5.10।।


नराधिपः the king, पिता father, दशरथः Dasaratha, प्रातः early in the morning, त्वाम् you, नहुषः Nahusha, ययातिं यथा like Yayati, प्रीत्या with affection, यौवराज्ये as heirapparent, अभिषेक्ता हि will coronate .

Your father, king Dasaratha, will be pleased to coronate you as heirapparent early tomorrow morning as Nahusa did (to his son) Yayati.
इत्युक्त्वा स तदा राममुपवासं यतव्रतम्।

मन्त्रवत्कारयामास वैदेह्या सहितं मुनिः।।2.5.11।।


सः मुनिः that ascetic(Vasistha), इति thus, उक्त्वा having spoken, यतव्रतम् observing vow, वैदेह्या सहितम् together with Sita, रामम् Rama, तदा then, मन्त्रवत् in accompaniment with sacred hymns, उपवासम् fast, कारयामास made (to undertake).

The ascetic (Vasistha) having thus spoken to Rama made him undertake fast along with Sita in accompaniment with sacred hymns.
ततो यथावद्रामेण स राज्ञो गुरुरर्चितः।

अभ्यनुज्ञाप्य काकुत्स्थं ययौ रामनिवेशनात्।।2.5.12।।


ततः thereafter, राज्ञः king's, गुरुः preceptor, सः he, (Vasistha), रामेण by Rama, यथावत् duly, अर्चितः honoured, काकुत्स्थम् the descendant of Kakutstha (Rama), अभ्यनुज्ञाप्य having taken leave, रामनिवेशनात् from the abode of Rama, ययौ departed.

Thereafter, Vasistha, preceptor of the king duly honoured by the descendant of Kakutstha (Rama) left his abode.
सुहृद्भिस्तत्र रामोऽपि सहासीनः प्रियंवदैः।

सभाजितो विवेशाऽथ ताननुज्ञाप्य सर्वशः।।2.5.13।।


रामोऽपि Rama also, प्रियंवदैः talking affectionately, सुहृद्भि: सह in the company of friends, तत्र there, आसीनः being seated, अथ thereafter, सभाजितः having been honoured, सर्वशः in all ways, तान् them, अनुज्ञाप्य having taken leave, विवेश entered (his apartment).

Rama also sat for a while in the company of his sweettongued friends and duly honoured by them in every way took leave of them and entered his apartment.
हृष्टनारीनरयुतं रामवेश्म तदा बभौ।

यथा मत्तद्विजगणं प्रफुल्लनलिनं सरः।।2.5.14।।
 

तदा then, हृष्टनारीनरयुतम् filled with cheerful men and women, रामवेश्म Rama's residence, मत्तद्विजगणम् multitude of intoxicated birds, प्रफुल्लनलिनम् with fullblown lotuses, सरः यथा like a lake, बभौ was splendid.

The residence of Rama, full of cheerful men and women, looked splendid like a lake with fullblown lotuses flocked by multitudes of intoxicated birds.
स राजभवनप्रख्यात्तस्माद्रामनिवेशानात्।

निर्गत्य ददृशे मार्गं वसिष्ठो जनसंवृतम्।।2.5.15।।


सः वसिष्ठः that Vasistha, राजभवनप्रख्यात् resembling a royal palace, तस्मात् from that, रामनिवेशनात् abode of Rama, निर्गत्य having emerged, जनसंवृतम् filled with people, मार्गम् highway, ददृशे beheld.

Vasistha thereafter emerged from the abode of Rama resembling a royal palace and beheld the highways filled with people.
बृन्दबृन्दैरयोध्यायां राजमार्गास्समन्ततः।

बभूवुरभिसम्बाधाः कुतूहलजनैर्वृताः।।2.5.16।।


अयोध्यायाम् in the city of Ayodhya, राजमार्गाः royal highways, समन्ततः on all sides, बृन्दबृन्दैः crowds of, कुतूहलजनैः by curious people, वृताः surrounded, अभिसम्बाधाः बभूवु: were jammed.

The royal highways in the city of Ayodhya were jammed on all sides with groups of curious people.
जनबृन्दोर्मिसंघर्षहर्षस्वनवतस्तदा।

बभूव राजमार्गस्य सागरस्येव निस्वनः।।2.5.17।।


तदा then, जनबृन्दोर्मिसंघर्षहर्षस्वनवतः the exultation of the multitudes resembled the roar of the clashing of waves, राजमार्गस्य of the highways, निस्वनः sound, सागरस्येव like that of the roaring sea, बभूव emerged.

The highways resembled the sea and the exultation of the multitudes, the roar that emanated from the clashing of waves.
सिक्तसम्मृष्टरथ्या हि तदहर्वनमालिनी।

आसीदयोध्यानगरी समुच्छ्रितगृहध्वजा।।2.5.18।।


तदहः on that day, अयोध्यानगरी the city of Ayodhya, सिक्तसम्मृष्टरथ्या हि with thoroughfares sprinkled with water and swept, वनमालिनी surrounded with gardens, समुच्छ्रितगृहध्वजा आसीत् banners raised high on the houses.

On that day, the thoroughfares of the city of Ayodhya, surrounded with (pleasure) gardens, were sprinkled with water and swept. The flags (on the top) of the houses were raised high.
तदा ह्ययोध्यानिलयः सस्त्रीबालाबलो जनः।

रामाभिषेकमाकाङ्क्षन्नाकाङ्क्षदुदयं रवेः।।2.5.19।।
 

तदा then, सस्त्रीबालाबलः with women, children, and weak, old persons, अयोध्यानिलयः living in Ayodhya, जनः people, रामाभिषेकम् coronation of Rama, आकाङ्क्षान् desiring, रवे: उदयम् sunrise, आकाङ्क्षत् eagerly desired.

Then all the people living in Ayodhya including women, children and aged alike wishing to see the coronation of Rama eagerly waited for the sunrise.
प्रजालङ्कारभूतं च जनस्यानन्दवर्धनम्।

उत्सुकोऽभूज्जनो द्रष्टुं तमयोध्यामहोत्सवम्।।2.5.20।।
 

प्रजालङ्कारभूतम् like an ornament for people, जनस्य for men, आनन्दवर्धनम् enhancing joy, तम् अयोध्यामहोत्सवम् that great festival of Ayodhya, द्रष्टुम् to witness, जनः men, उत्सुकः अभूत् became anxious.

People were anxious to witness that great festival of Ayodhya which was to them (precious) like an ornament and a source of immense joy.
एवं तज्जनसम्बाधं राजमार्गं पुरोहितः।

व्यूहन्निव जनौघं तं शनै राजकुलं ययौ।।2.5.21।।


पुरोहितः priest (Vasistha), एवम् in this way, जनसम्बाधम् thronged with men, तं राजमार्गम् that highway, तं जनौघम् crowds of men, व्यूहन्निव like dividing (into two tracts), शनैः slowly, राजकुलम् royal palace, ययौ went.

The priest (Vasistha), beholding the overcrowded highway forced his passage through the crowds of men dividing them into two tracts and slowly entered the royal palace.
सिताभ्रशिखरप्रख्यं प्रासादमधिरुह्य सः।

समीयाय नरेन्द्रेण शक्रेणेव बृहस्पतिः।।2.5.22।।


सः he, सिताभ्रशिखरप्रख्यम् looking like the peak of a mountain covered with white clouds, प्रासादम् royal palace, अधिरुह्य having ascended, बृहस्पतिः Brihaspati, शक्रेणेव like Indra,
नरेन्द्रेण with king, समीयाय met.

Having ascended the royal palace resembling the peak of a mountain covered with white clouds, Vasistha approached the king like Brihaspati meeting Indra.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य हित्वा राजासनं नृपः।

पप्रच्छ स च तस्मै तत्कृतमित्यभ्यवेदयत्।।2.5.23।।


नृपः king, आगतम् who had arrived, तम् him, अभिप्रेक्ष्य having seen, राजासनम् the throne, हित्वा after leaving, पप्रच्छ enquired, सः च he also, तत् that, कृतम् performed, इति thus, तस्मै him, अभ्यवेदयत् informed.

On seeing Vasistha the king descended from the throne and enquired whether he had performed the mission to which the ascetic replied affirmatively.
चैव तदा तुल्यं सहासीनास्सभासदः।

आसनेभ्यस्समुत्तस्थुः पूजयन्तः पुरोहितम्।।2.5.24।।


तदा then, सह आसीनाः seated with him, सभासदः courtiers, तेन तुल्यम् एव in the same way as he (Dasaratha) did, पुरोहितम् to the priest, पूजयन्तः to pay obeisance, आसनेभ्यः from their seats, समुत्तस्थुः rose.

All those present in the assembly with him (the king) also got up from their seats as he (Dasaratha) did and paid their obeisance to Vasistha.
गुरुणा त्वभ्यनुज्ञातो मनुजौघं विसृज्य तम्।

विवेशान्तः पुरं राजा सिंहो गिरिगुहामिव।।2.5.25।।


राजा the king, गुरुणा by the preceptor, अभ्यनुज्ञातः having been permitted, तम् मनुजौघम् that assembly of men, विसृज्य having disposed, सिंहः lion, गिरिगुहामिव like the cave of a mountain, अन्तःपुरम् inner apartment, विवेश entered.

The king then, dully permitted by the preceptor, disposed the assembly of men and stepped into his inner apartment, like a lion entering the cave of a mountain.
तदग्य्रवेषप्रमदाजनाकुलं

महेन्द्रवेश्मप्रतिमं निवेशनम्।

विदीपयंश्चारु विवेश पार्थिव

श्शशीव तारागणसङ्कुलं नभः।।2.5.26।।


पार्थिवः the king, अग्य्रवेषप्रमदाजनाकुलम् thronged with excellently attired women, महेन्द्रवेश्मप्रतिमम् equal to the palace of Mahendra, तं निवेशनम् that inner apartment, विदीपयन् illumining, चारु beautiful, तारागणसङ्कुलम् crowded with stars, नभः sky, शशीव like Moon, विवेश entered.

The king entered the inner apartment thronged with excellently attired women which looked like the palace of Mahendra. He resembled the beautiful Moon that illuminates the sky crowded with stars.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चमस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the fifth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.