“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
Preparations for the Installation
Summary
Dasaratha, glad after hearing the words of assembled people, requests Vasishta and
Vamadeva to start arrangements for the anointing [to choose by] ceremony of Rama. Vasishta
and Vamadeva order the officers present there to make all arrangements, describing them in
detail. Dasaratha then orders Sumantra to bring Rama to the assembly. After letting Rama know
of his desire, Dasaratha then advises Rama on how to rule the kingdom for the benefit of the
people.
Chapter [Sarga] 3 in Detail
teshhaamajnjalipadmaani pragrihiitaani sarvashah |
pratigrihyaabraviidraajaa tebhyah priyahitam vachah || 2-3-1
King Dasaratha, accepted their salutations with folded hands resembling lotus buds and
spoke good and agreeable words to them as follows:-
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
ahoasmi paramapriitah prabhaavashchaatulo mama |
yanme jyeshhtham priyam putram yauvaraajyastha michchhatha || 2-3-2
"Oh! I am very much pleased and incomparable [cannot be compared] is my fortune in
that you desire my beloved elder son to be anointed [choose] as prince. "
iti pratyarchya taan raajaa braahmanaanida mabraviit |
vasishhtham vaamadevam cha teshhaamevopashrinvataam || 2-3-3
King Dasaratha, thus duly returning the honor done by them, spoke while they were
listening, to Vasishta, Vamadeva and other Brahmans as follows:
chaitrah shriimaanayam maasah punyah pushhpitakaananah |
yauvaraajyaaya raamasya sarvamevopakalpyataam || 2-3-4
raajjnastuuparate vaakye janaghoshho mahaanabhuut |
"This is the glorious and auspicious month of Chaitra, in which the forests bloom with
flowers. Let all arrangements be made for the coronation of Rama as prince." While these words
of the king were being completed, there was a great delightful uproar of the people.
shanaistasmin prashaante cha janaghoshhe janaadhipah || 2-3-5
vasishhtham munishaarduulam raajaa vachanamabraviit |
When their applause gradually subsided, King Dasaratha spoke the following words to
the best of sages, Vasishta.
abhishhekaaya raamasya yatkarma saparichchhadam || 2-3-6
tadadya bhagavan sarvamaajjnaapayitu marhasi |
"Oh Divine Vasishta! Be pleased to order now for the traditional ceremonial that is to be
done and various accessories needed for the anointing [choosing] ceremony of Rama."
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
tachchhrutvaa bhuumipaalasya vasishhtho dvijasattamah || 2-3-7
aadideshaagrato raajjnah sthitaan yuktaan kritaajnjaliin |
Vasishta, the best of Brahmans, hearing the words of king Dasaratha, ordered the
officers who stood there with folded hands before the king, as follows: suvarnaadiini ratnaani baliin sarvaushhadhiirapi || 2-3-8
shuklamaalyaamshcha laajaamshcha prithakcha madhusarpishhii |
ahataani cha vaasaamsi ratham sarvaayudhaanyapi || 2-3-9
chaturagabalam chaiva gajam cha shubhalakshanam |
chaamaravyajane shvete dhvajam chhatram cha paanduram || 2-3-10
shatam cha shaatakumbhaanaam kumbhaanaamagnivarchasaam |
hiranyashrigamrishhabham samagram vyaaghracharma cha || 2-3-11
upasthaapayata praataragnyagaaram mahiipateh |
"Gather the following in the sacred fire house of the king at dawn: gold and the like,
diamonds, things needed to perform worship, various herbs, white floral garlands, corn, honey
and clarified butter in separate vessels, new clothes, chariot, all weapons, the four divisions of
army, an elephant with auspicious signs, white fan, flag staff, white umbrella, one hundred golden
pots with brilliant shine, bull with gilded [to overlay with thin covering of gold] horns and a
complete tiger skin".
yachchaanyatkijnchideshhtavyam tatsarvamupakalpyataam | 2-3-12
astahpurasya dvaaraani sarvasya nagarasya cha |
chandanasragbhirarchyantaam dhuupaishcha ghraanahaaribhih || 2-3-13
"If any other small things are required, arrange for all of them. Let the doorways of the
royal palace and those of the entire city be worshipped with sandalwood paste, floral garlands
and good smelling incense."
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
prashastamannam gunavaddhadhikshiiropasechanam |
dvijaanaam shatasaahasre yatprakaamamalam bhavet || 2-3-14
"Let fine rice of good quality with milk and yogurt, fully sufficient for one hundred
thousand Brahmans be arranged."
satkritya dvijamukhyaanaam shvah prabhaate pradiiyataam |
ghritam dadhi cha laajaashcha dakshinaashchaapi pushhkalaah || 2-3-15
"Let that rice be given with due respect to important Brahmans tomorrow at dawn; along
with clarified butter, yogurt, corn, and lot of gifts."
suuryeabhyuditamaatre shvo bhavitaa svastivaachanam |
braahmanaashcha nimantryantaam kalpyantaamaasanaani cha || 2-3-16
"There will be an invocation for the well being of all, tomorrow at sun rise. Let Brahmanas
be invited and suitable seats be arranged for them."
aabadhyantaam pataakaashcha raajamaargashcha sichyataam |
sarve cha taalaavacharaa ganikaashcha svalamkritaah || 2-3-17
kakshyaam dvitiiyaamaasaadya tishhthantu nripaveshmanah |
"Let the flags be hung and the royal highways be sprinkled with water. Let well dressed
dancers and musicians wait in second enclosure in the royal compound."
devaayatanachaityeshhu saannabhakshaah sadakshinaah || 2-3-18
upasthaapayitavyaah syurmaalyayogyaah prithak prithak |
"As worshipping is to be done in temples and at road junctions, let some deserving
people gather there with rice, eatables, presents and garlands separately."
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
diirghaasibaddhaa yodhaashcha sannaddhaa mrishhtavaasasah || 2-3-19
mahaaraajaaganam sarve pravishantu mahodayam |
"Let all the warriors enter the well developed front yard of the royal palace with long
swords, armors and clean clothing."
evam vyaadishya viprau tau kriyaastatra sunishhthitau || 2-3-20
chakratushchaiva yachchheshham paarthivaaya nivedya cha |
Those wise men Vasishta and Vamadeva attentively ordered for all those things to be
done there, informed that to king Dasaratha and performed the remaining things also.
kritamityeva chaabruutaamabhigamya jagatpatim || 2-3-21
yathoktavachanam priitau harshhayuktau dvijarshhabhau |
Pleased and satisfied with the arrangements made Vasishta and Vamadeva approached
king Dasaratha and told him that all had been done according to his words.
tatah sumantram dyutimaan raajaa vachanamabraviit || 2-3-22
raamah kritaatmaa bhavataa shiighramaaniiyataamiti |
Afterwards, Dasaratha spoke to Sumantra, "Let Rama, who has a disciplined intellect, be
brought by you immediately."
sa tatheti pratijjnaaya sumantro raajashaasanaat || 2-3-23
raamam tatraanayaamchakre rathena rathinaam varam |
As commanded by the king, Sumantra brought there, Rama, the best of charioteers, in a
chariot.
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
atha tatra samaasiinaastadaa dasharatham nripam || 2-3-24
praachyodiichyaah pratiichyaashcha daakshinaatyaashcha bhuumipaah |
mlechchhaashchaaryaashcha ye chaanye vane shailaantavaasinah || 2-3-25
upaasaajnchakrire sarve tam devaa iva vaasavam |
Afterwards the kings belonging to east, west, north, south as well as those belonging to
Mleccha kingdom, Aryaa Vartha kingdom and those ruling in hill and forest areas sat there and
attended on King Dasaratha as celestials [suggesting heaven or divinity] attended on Devendra.
teshhaam madhye sa raajarshhirmarutaamiva vaasavah || 2-3-26
praasaadastho rathagatam dadarshaayaanta maatmajam |
The sage king Dasaratha, sitting in the midst of those kings like Devendra in the middle
of the celestials, saw from the palace itself, his son Rama arriving in a chariot.
gandharvaraajapratimam loke vikhyaatapaurushham || 2-3-27
diirgha baahum mahasattvam mattamaatagagaaminam |
chandrakaantaananam raamamatiiva priyadarshanam || 2-3-28
ruupaudaaryagunaih pumsaam drishhtichittaapahaarinam |
gharmaabhitaptaah parjanyam hlaadayantamiva prajaah || 2-3-29
na tatarpa samaayaantam pashyamaano naraadhipah |
Rama was as beautiful as the king of Gandharvas. His valiance [valor] was world famous.
He had great strength and walked like a vigorous [forceful] elephant. He had long arms, and with
his enchanting face, he looked like the moon. He stole the eyes and minds of the people by his
looks, generosity and virtues. King Dasaratha was thus not satiated [satisfied] enough in seeing
Rama, coming like a cloud that gladdens people by relieving them from the scorching
[devastating] summer heat.
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
avataarya sumantrastam raaghavam syandanottamaat || 2-3-30
pituh samiipam gachchhantam praajnjalih prishhthato.anvagaat |
Sumantra helped Rama to get down from the excellent chariot and with folded hands
followed behind Rama, who approached his father.
sa tam kailaasashrigaabham praasaadam narapugavah || 2-3-31
aaruroha nripam drashhtum saha suutena raaghavah |
Rama, the best among men, ascended the steps of the palace, which resembled Mount
Kailasa, along with Sumantra, to see the king Dasaratha.
sa praajjalirabhipretya pranatah piturantike || 2-3-32
naama svam shraavayan raamo vavandhe charanau pituh |
Rama with folded hands approached his father, bowed down mentioning his own name
and offered salutations to his father's feet.
tam drishhtvaa pranatam paarshve kritaajnjaliputam nripah || 2-3-33
grihyaajnjalau samaakrishhya sasvaje priyamaatmajam |
King Dasaratha took into his embrace that beloved son who was standing humbly beside
him with folded hands.
tasmai chaabhyuditam divyam manikaajnchanabhuushhitam || 2-3-34
didesha raajaa ruchiram raamaaya paramaasanam |
King Dasaratha gave Rama a great throne, which was high, excellent and beautiful,
decorated with gold and diamonds.
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
tadaasanavaram praapya vyadiipayata raaghavah || 2-3-35
svayeva prabhayaa merumudaye vimalo ravih |
Rama, occupying that great throne, caused it to shine with his own brightness, just as the
spotless sun in the morning causes Meru Mountain to shine with brilliance.
tena vibhraajataa tatra saa sabhaabhivyarochata || 2-3-36
vimalagrahanakshatraa shaaradii dyaurivendunaa |
Rama by his brilliance made that assembly to shine, just as the moon shines the clear
autumnal [the season between summer and winter] sky, with the dim-less stars and planets.
tam pashyamaano nripati stutooshha priyamaatmajam || 2-3-37
alakritamivaatmaanamaadarshatalasamsthitam |
King Dasaratha was as delighted in seeing his beloved son, as one delights in seeing
oneself adorned, in a mirror.
sa tam sasmitamaabhaashhya putram putravataam varah || 2-3-38
uvaachedam vacho raajaa devendramiva kaashyapah |
King Dasaratha, the best among those who have sons, smilingly conversed with his son,
and addressed Rama as follows, as Kashyapa does to (his eldest son) Devendra (the ruler of
Gods).
jyeshhthaayaamasi me patnyaam sadrishyaam sadrishah sutah || 2-3-39
utpannastvam gunashreshhtho mama raamaatmajah priyah |
"Oh Rama! You are an exemplary [commendable or serving as an example] son born to
my exemplary [commendable] elder wife. Being excellent in virtues, you are beloved son to me."
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
yatastvayaa prajaashchemaah svagunairanurajnjitaah || 2-3-40
tasmaattvam pushhyayogena yauvaraajyamavaapnuhi |
"O, Rama! As you with your good qualities cherished these people, you get the princely
kingdom on the day of Pushyami star (when the moon appears in conjunction [combination] with
the constellation [the configuration of stars] Pushya).”
kaamatastvam prakrityaiva viniito gunavaanasi || 2-3-41
gunavatyapi tu snehaatputra vakshyaami te hitam |
"Oh, son! By nature, you are very humble and virtuous. Even then, because of my
friendship with you, I can tell you this for your benefit."
bhuuyo vinayamaasthaaya bhava nityam jitendriyah || 2-3-42
kaamakrodhasamutthaani tyajethaa vyasanaani cha |
"Be even more humble and always keep the senses under control. Leave the bad habits
born out of desire and wrath [anger]."
parokshayaa vartamaano vrittyaa pratyakshayaa tathaa || 2-3-43
amaatyaprabhritiih sarvaah prakritiishchaanurajnjaya |
"Through direct and indirect means, keep ministers and others happy."
koshhthaagaaraayudhaagaaraih kritvaa sanni chayaan bahuun || 2-3-44
tushhtaanuraktaprakritiryah paalayati mediniim |
tasya nandanti mitraani labdhvaa.amritamivaa.amaraah || 2-3-45
tasmaattvamapi chaatmaanam niyamyaivam samaachara |
"Like the celestials becoming happy after obtaining the nectar, friends of a king (ruler of
earth) are delighted when he fills the granaries [a storehouse for grains] and armories [a place
where arms and military equipment are stored] to the brim [an upper or outer margin], making the
common people delightful and happy. Hence, you too act like this."
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
tachchhrutvaa suhridastasya raamasya priyakaarinah || 2-3-46
tvaritaah shiighramabhyetya kausalyaayai nyavedayan |
The well -wishers of Rama, after hearing those words, intending to do good to Kausalya,
immediately came to her and informed the matter to her.
saa hiranyam cha gaashchaiva ratnaani vividhaani cha || 2-3-47
vyaadidesha priyaakhyebhyah kausalyaa pramadottamaa |
The best among women, Kausalya gave away gold, cows and different types of
diamonds to those who informed her good news.
athaabhivaadya raajaanam rathamaaruhya raaghavah || 2-3-48
yayau svam dyutimadveshma janaughaih pratipuujitah |
Rama, after offering salutations to king Dasaratha, ascended the chariot and went to his
splendid house after being worshipped by the crowds on the way.
te chaapi pauraa nripatervachasta |
chchhrutvaa tadaa laabhamiveshhtamaashu |
narendramaamantrya grihaani gatvaa |
devaan samaanarchuratiprahrishhtaah || 2-3-49
Having heard those words of the king, seeing their dearest wish gratified [rewarded], the
citizens took leave of the King Dasaratha and returned to their homes full of joy, in order to give
thanks and render homage [respects] to the Gods.
|| ityaarshhe shriimadvaalmiikiraamaayane aadikaavye ayodhyakaande tritiiya sargah ||
Thus completes 3rd Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the
work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
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“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”
Valmiki Ramayana – Ayodhya Kanda – Chapter 3
References
K. M. K. Murthy. (1999). Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya.
Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.
Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.
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