Sloka & Translation

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[Devatas urge Visnu to incarnate in human form to destroy Ravana--A celestial being from Prajapatya emerges from the sacrificial fire--gives a vessel containing payasam--his wives partake the payasam and become pregnant.]

ततो नारायणो देवो नियुक्तस्सुरसत्तमै:।

जानन्नपि सुरानेवं श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रवीत्।।1.16.1।।


तत: then, सुरसत्तमै: by best of devatas, नियुक्त: having been employed, नारायण:देव: lord Narayana, जानन्नपि although cognizant of, सुरान् addressing devatas, एवम् in this manner, श्लक्ष्णम् softly, वचनम् words, अब्रवीत् spoke.

Although Omniscient lord Narayana knew the means to be employed, when he was requested by the best of devatas he spoke to them softly:
उपाय: को वधे तस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मन:।

यमहं तं समास्थाय निहन्यामृषिकण्टकम्।।1.16.2।।


दुरात्मन: of the evil minded, तस्य रावणस्य that Ravana's, वधे in the matter of destruction, उपाय: strategies, क: what?, यम् by which ever strategies, आस्थाय after adopting, ऋषिकण्टकम् thorn by the side of sages(causing sufferings to sages), तम् him, अहम् I, निहन्याम् I shall kill.

"What strategies should be adopted in the matter of destruction of that evilminded Ravana who is a thorn to the sages?".
एवमुक्तास्सुरास्सर्वे प्रत्यूचुर्विष्णुमव्ययम्।

मानुषीं तनुमास्थाय रावणं जहि संयुगे।।1.16.3।।


एवम् उक्ता: in this manner addressed, सुरा: the devatas, सर्वे all, अव्ययम् Imperishable, विष्णुम् Vishnu, प्रत्यूचु: replied back, मानुषीम् relaing to human being, तनुम् body, आस्थाय assuming, संयुगे in the battle, रावणम् जहि kill Ravana.

When the devatas were thus addressed by the imperishable Visnu, they replied him saying, "You may assume the form of a human being and slay Ravana in the battle".
स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्रं दीर्घकालमरिन्दम ।

येन तुष्टोऽभवद्ब्रह्मा लोककृल्लोकपूर्वज:।।1.16.4।।


अरिन्दम ODestroyer of foes, स: Ravana, दीर्घकालम् for long time, तीव्रम् severe, तप: penance, तेपे performed, येन by which, लोककृत् creator of the world, लोकपूर्वज: born prior to the creation of the worlds, ब्रह्मा Brahma, तुष्ट:अभवत् was very pleased.

"O destroyer of foes Lord Brahma was very pleased with Ravana's intense penance over a long time৷৷
सन्तुष्ट: प्रददौ तस्मै राक्षसाय वरं प्रभु:। 04

नानाविधेभ्यो भूतेभ्यो भयं नान्यत्र मानुषात्।।1.16.5।।

अवज्ञाता: पुरा तेन वरदाने हि मानवा:। 105


सन्तुष्ट: very pleased, प्रभु: all powerful Brahma, तस्मै राक्षसाय for that rakshasa, मानुषात् अन्यत्र except from men, नानाविधेभ्य: from several others, भूतेभ्य: from living beings, भयम् fear, न none, वरम् boon, प्रददौ granted, पुरा earlier, वरदाने at the time of granting boon, तेन by him, मानवा: men, अवज्ञाता: were disregarded.

Pleased, with the rakshasa Brahma granted a boon to the effect that except from men, there was, for him, no fear of death from any other living beings. Ravana ignored men while seeking the boon.
एवं पितामहात्तस्माद्वरं प्राप्य स दर्पित:।।1.16.6।।

उत्सादयति लोकान्त्रीन् स्त्रियश्चाप्यपकर्षति ।

तस्मात्तस्य वधो दृष्टो मानुषेभ्य: परन्तप।।1.16.7।।


एवम् in this manner, तस्मात् पितामहात् from that Brahma, वरम् boon, प्राप्य having obtained, स: Ravana, दर्पित: became arrogant, त्रीन् three, लोकान् worlds, उत्सादयति destroyed, स्त्रिय: women, अपकर्षति च carries away by violence, तस्मात् for that reason, परन्तप O Destroyer of foes, तस्य वध: killing him, मानुषेभ्य: from(by) men, दृष्ट: has been seen.

Having obtained the boon from Brahma, Ravana, greed and arrogant went on bringing destruction to the three worlds. He carried away women by violence. O destroyer of foes his death is possible by men only."
इत्येतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सुराणां विष्णुरात्मवान्।

पितरं रोचयामास तदा दशरथं नृपम्।।1.16.8।।


इति in this manner, सुराणाम् devatas, एतत् वचनम् these words, श्रुत्वा having heard, आत्मवान् intellectual, विष्णु: Visnu, तदा then, दशरथं नृपम् king Dasaratha, पितरम् as father, रोचयामास liked (chosen).

Having heard the words of devatas, selfpossessed Visnu chose king Dasaratha as his father.
स चाप्यपुत्रो नृपतिस्तस्मिन्काले महाद्युति:।

अयजत्पुत्रियामिष्टिं पुत्रेप्सुररिसूदन:।।1.16.9।।


तस्मिन् काले at that time, महाद्युति: effulgent, अरिसूदन: destroyer of enemies, स:नृपति: that king, अपुत्र: without sons, पुत्रेप्सु: wishing to beget sons, पुत्रियाम् इष्टिम् a sacrifice to obtain sons, अयजत् performed.

At that time, the brilliant king (Dasaratha), destroyer of enemies, who had no sons was performing a sacrifice for sons.
स कृत्वा निश्चयं विष्णुरामन्त्र्य च पितामहम्।

अन्तर्धानं गतो देवै: पूज्यमानो महर्षिभि:।।1.16.10।।


स: विष्णु: Vishnu, निश्चयं कृत्वा having decided, पितामहम् Grandsire, Brahma, आमन्त्र्य bidding farewell, देवै: by devatas, महर्षिभि: by maharshis, पूज्यमान: worshipped by, अन्तर्धानं गत: disappeared.

After Visnu had decided (to incarnate) and he was worshipped by devatas and maharshis he disappeared bidding farewell to Brahma.
तो वै यजमानस्य पावकादतुलप्रभम्।

प्रादुर्भूतं महद्भूतं महावीर्यं महाबलम्।।1.16.11।।

कृष्णं रक्ताम्बरधरं रक्तास्यं दुन्दुभिस्वनम्।

स्निग्धहर्यक्षतनुजश्मश्रुप्रवरमूर्धजम्।।1.16.12।।

शुभलक्षणसम्पन्नं दिव्याभरणभूषितम्।

शैलशृङ्गसमुत्सेथं दृप्तशार्दूलविक्रमम्।।1.16.13।।

दिवाकरसमाकारं दीप्तानलशिखोपमम्।

तप्तजाम्बूनदमयीं राजतान्तपरिच्छदाम्।।1.16.14।।

दिव्यपायससम्पूर्णां पात्रीं पत्नीमिव प्रियाम्।

प्रगृह्य विपुलां दोर्भ्यां स्वयं मायामयीमिव।।1.16.15।।


तत: then, यजमानस्य while Dasaratha was performing the sacrifice, पावकात् from the sacrificial fire, अतुलप्रभम् of unmatched splendour, महावीर्यम् of great prowess, महाबलम् great strength, कृष्णं रक्ताम्बरधरम् clad in black and crimpson garment, रक्तास्यम् redfaced, दुन्दुभिस्वनम् having a voice similar to the sounds of drum, स्निग्धहर्यक्षतनुजश्मश्रुप्रवरमूर्धजम् with whiskers of soft and shining tawny hair resembling mane of lion and excellent hair, शुभलक्षणसम्पन्नम् endowed with auspicious signs, दिव्याभरणभूषितम् adorned with splendid divine ornaments, शैलश्रुङ्गसमुत्सेथम् resembling the height of a peak of a mountain, दृप्तशार्दूलविक्रमम् having the strides of an arrogant tiger, दिवाकरसमाकारम् similar to the Sun in radiance, दीप्तानलशिखोपमम् looking like the crest of blazing fire, महत् great, भूतम् being, तप्तजाम्बूनदमयीम् made of gold purified in fire, राजतान्तपरिच्छदाम् made of silver, दिव्यपायससम्पूर्णाम् filled with divine (excellent) Payasam(a preparation of rice in milk and sugar), मायामयीमिव as if made out of illusion, विपुलाम् large, पात्रीम् vessel, प्रियां पत्नीमिव like a beloved wife, स्वयम् on his own, दोर्भ्याम् with both the hands, प्रगृह्य holding, प्रादुर्भूतम् emerged.

During the sacrifice, there emerged from the sacrificial fire a mighty being with unmatched splendour, his prowess and strength. He wore a black and crimson garment. He had a red face. His voice was similar to the sounds of a drum. He had whiskers of soft and shining tawny hair resembling the mane of a lion He had fine hair on his head. He was endowed with auspicious signs and adorned with splendid divine ornaments. His height resembled a mountain peak. He walked with the strides of a ferocious tiger. Similar to the Sun in radiance, he looked like the crest of a blazing fire. This divine being held like his beloved wife both hands, a large vessel made of gold purified, in fire, covered with a silver lid and filled with payasam (a preparation of rice in milk and sugar). It looked as though it was created by magic.
समवेक्ष्याब्रवीद्वाक्यमिदं दशरथं नृपम्।

प्राजापत्यं नरं विद्धि मामिहाभ्यागतं नृप।।1.16.16।।


दशरथं नृपम् king Dasaratha, समवेक्ष्य seeing him, इदम् वाक्यम् these words, अब्रवीत् had spoken, नृप Oking, इह अभ्यागतम् have come here, प्राजापत्यम् from Prajapati (Brahma), नरम् person, विद्धि you know.

Having seen king Dasaratha, he said, "O King you know I have been sent by Prjapati (Brahma), and I am here".
तत: परं तदा राजा प्रत्युवाच कृताञ्जलि:।

भगवन् स्वागतं तेऽस्तु किमहं करवाणि ते।।1.16.17।।


तत:परम् thereafter, तदा then, राजा king, कृताञ्जलि: with folded palms, प्रत्युवाच replied, भगवन् O Revered lord, ते स्वागतम् अस्तु welcome to you, अहम् I, ते to you, किम् what, करवाणि can do.

With folded palms the king replied, "O revered lord. Welcome to you. What can I do
for you?".
अथो पुनरिदं वाक्यं प्राजापत्यो नरोऽब्रवीत्।

राजन्नर्चयता देवानद्य प्राप्तमिदं त्वया।।1.16.18।।


अथो thereafter, प्राजापत्य: the being sent by Prajapati, नर: that person, पुन: again, इदं वाक्यम् these words, अब्रवीत् spoke, राजन् O king, देवान् devatas, अर्चयता while worshipping, त्वया by you, अद्य today, इदं this, प्राप्तम् obtained.

Thereafter the one who came from Prajapati answered, "O King you have obtained this payasam today in return for the worship offered to the devatas".
इदं तु नृपशार्दूल पायसं देवनिर्मितम्।

प्रजाकरं गृहाण त्वं धन्यमारोग्यवर्धनम्।।1.16.19।।


नृपशार्दूल O Best among kings, देवनिर्मितम् prepared by gods, प्रजाकरम् conferring progeny, धन्यम् bestowing affluence, आरोग्यवर्धनम् helps in improving health, इदम् पायसम् this Payasam, त्वम् you, गृहाण receive.

"O Lion among kings, receive this payasam prepared by gods, conferring progeny, bestowing affluence and improving health.
भार्याणामनुरूपाणामश्नीतेति प्रयच्छ वै।

तासु त्वं प्राप्स्यसे पुत्रान्यदर्थं यजसे नृप।।1.16.20।।


नृप O King, अश्नीत इति "consume it", अनुरूपाणाम् worthy, भार्याणाम् consorts, प्रयच्छ वै give it to them, यदर्थम् for whose sake, यजसे you are performing this sacrifice, पुत्रान् such sons, तासु inthem, त्वम् you, प्राप्स्यसे will obtain.

O King you are performing this sacrifice for the sake of sons. Give this to your worthy consorts to consume it. They will bear you sons".
तथेति नृपति: प्रीतश्शिरसा प्रतिगृह्यताम्।

पात्रीं देवान्नसम्पूर्णां देवदत्तां हिरण्मयीम्।।1.16.21।।


नृपति: king, तथेति so be it, तां देवान्नसम्पूर्णाम् all that food prepared by deities, देवदत्ताम् bestowed by devatas, हिरण्मयीम् golden, पात्रीम् vessel, शिरसा by lowering his head respectfully, प्रतिगृह्य having received, प्रीत: pleased.

Dasaratha was pleased to receive respectfully the golden vessel filled with the payasam prepared and bestowed by devatas.
अभिवाद्य च तद्भूतमद्भुतं प्रियदर्शनम्।

मुदा परमया युक्तश्चकाराभिप्रदक्षिणम्।।1.16.22।।


परमया by utmost, मुदा युक्त: endowed with joy, अद्भुतम् wonderful, प्रियदर्शनम् having pleasant countenance, तत् भूतम् that being, अभिवाद्य having saluated, प्रदक्षिणम् चकार circumambulated.

Overwhelmed with great joy, he, walked around that wonderful being of pleasant countenance again and again and saluated him respectfully.
ततो दशरथ: प्राप्य पायसं देवनिर्मितम्।

बभूव परमप्रीत: प्राप्य वित्तमिवाधन:।।1.16.23।।


तत: afterthat, दशरथ: Dasaratha, देवनिर्मितम् prepared by devatas, पायसम् Payasam, प्राप्य having obtained, वित्तम् wealth, प्राप्य having got, अधन:इव like a person having no wealth, परमप्रीत:बभूव was highly pleased.

Dasaratha who received the payasam prepared by devatas was highly pleased like a poor man who received wealth.
ततस्तदद्भुतप्रख्यं भूतं परमभास्वरम्।

संवर्तयित्वा तत्कर्म तत्रैवान्तरधीयत।।1.16.24।।


तत: then, अद्भुतप्रख्यम् having a wonderful form, परमभास्वरम् highly effulgent, तद्भूतम् that being, तत्कर्म that task, संवर्तयित्वा having performed, तत्रैव from there, अन्तरधीयत disappeared.

Then that effulgent figure of wonderful form having given the bowl of payasam vanished from there.
हर्षरश्मिभिरुद्योतं तस्यान्त:पुरमाबभौ।

शारदस्याभिरामस्य चन्द्रस्येव नभोंऽशुभि:।।1.16.25।।


हर्षरश्मिभि: with rays of happiness, उद्द्योतम् got brightened, तस्य his, अन्त:पुरम् inner apartment, अभिरामस्य delightful, शारदस्य autumnal, चन्द्रस्य moon's, अंशुभि: beams, नभ:इव like sky, आबभौ shone.

The inner apartment, brightened with rays of happiness, shone like the autumnal sky in the glow of the moon.
सोऽन्त:पुरं प्रविश्यैव कौसल्यामिदमब्रवीत्।

पायसं प्रतिगृह्णीष्व पुत्रीयं त्विदमात्मन:।।1.16.26।।


स: he, अन्त:पुरम् inner apartment, प्रविश्यैव after entering, कौसल्याम् addressing queen Kausalya, इदम् these words, अब्रवीत् spoke, आत्मन: for you, पुत्रीयम् bestowing sons, इदम् this, पायसम् Payasam, प्रतिगृह्णीष्व receive it.

He entered the inner apartment and addressing queen Kausalya said, "Receive this payasam which has the power to give you sons".
कौसल्यायै नरपति: पायसार्धं ददौ तदा।

अर्धादर्धं ददौ चापि सुमित्रायै नराधिप:।।1.16.27।।

कैकेय्यै चावशिष्टार्धं ददौ पुत्रार्थकारणात्।

प्रददौ चावशिष्टार्धं पायसस्यामृतोपमम्।।1.16.28।।

अनुचिन्त्य सुमित्रायै पुनरेव महीपति:।

एवं तासां ददौ राजा भार्याणां पायसं पृथक् ।।1.16.29।।


तदा then, नरपति: king Dasaratha, कौसल्यायै for Kausalya, पायसार्धम् half of Payasa, ददौ gave, नराधिप: king, अर्धात् from the half portion, अर्धम् half of it, सुमित्रायै अपि for Sumitra also, ददौ gave, अवशिष्टार्धम् the remaining half, पुत्रार्थकारणात् for the sake of son, कैकेय्यै for Kaikeyi, ददौ gave, महीपति: king, अनुचिन्त्य having thought over, पायसस्य Payasam, अमृतोपमम् resembling ambrosia, अवसिष्टार्धम् the remaining half, पुनरेव again, सुमित्रायै for Sumitra, प्रददौ gave, एवम् in this manner, राजा king, तासां भार्याणाम् for his wives, पृथक् separately, पायसम् Payasam, ददौ gave.

Then Dasaratha gave half the portion of payasam to Kausalya, half of the remaining half to Sumitra, half of the remaining portion (oneeighth of original) to Kaikeyi for the sake of a son. On further thinking, he gave the remaining oneeighth portion to Sumitra. In this manner the king divided and distributed the payasam among his wives separately.
तास्त्वेतत्पायसं प्राप्य नरेन्द्रस्योत्तमास्स्त्रय:।

सम्मानं मेनिरे सर्वां: प्रहर्षोदितचेतस:।।1.16.30।।


नरेन्द्रस्य king's, उत्तमा: excellent, ता:स्त्रिय: those women, सर्वा: all, एतत् this, पायसम् Payasam, प्राप्य having received, प्रहर्षोदितचेतस: minds filled with delight, सम्मानम् honour मेनिरे considered.

The virtuous wives of the king were exceedingly delighted and felt honoured after receiving the payasam .
ततस्तु ता: प्राश्य तदुत्तमास्त्रियो

महीपतेरुत्तमपायसं पृथक्।

हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजसो

ऽचिरेण गर्भान्प्रतिपेदिरे तदा।।1.16.31।।


ततः then, महीपते: king's, ता:उत्तमास्त्रिय: excellent consorts, तत् उत्तमपायसम् that choicest Payasam, पृथक् separately, प्राश्य having consumed, हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजस: resembling glowing fire and Sun in lustre, अचिरेण after short gap of time, तदा then, गर्भान् प्रतिपेदिरे became pregnant.

Then the excellent consorts of the king who glowed like fire and the Sun, having consumed the choicest payasam, became pregnant in a short time.
ततस्तु राजा प्रसमीक्ष्य ता: स्त्रिय:

प्ररूढगर्भा: प्रतिलब्धमानस:।

बभूव हृष्टस्त्रिदिवे यथा हरि:

सुरेन्द्रसिद्धर्षिगणाभिपूजित:।।1.16.32।।


तत: then, राजा king, प्ररूढगर्भा: pregnant women, ता: स्त्रिय: those wives, प्रसमीक्ष्य having seen, प्रतिलब्धमानस: having regained composure of mind, त्रिदिवे in the heavens, सुरेन्द्रसिद्धर्षिगणाभिपूजित: worshipped by Indra, hosts of siddhas and rishis, यथा हरि: like Visnu, हृष्ट:बभूव became delighted.

The king now regained his composure of mind on seeing his pregnant wives. He looked delighted like Visnu worshipped by Indra, and hosts of siddhas and rishis.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे षोडशस्सर्ग:।।
Thus ends the sixteenth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic
composed by sage Valmiki.