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[Dasaratha sends Rsyasringa and the kings and to their respective places -- returns to Ayodhya with his wives--birth of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna -- purificatory and naming rites -- description of their virtues and characteritics -- Viswamitra comes to meet Dasaratha]

निर्वृत्ते तु क्रतौ तस्मिन्हयमेधे महात्मन:।

प्रतिगृह्य सुरा भागान्प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम्।।1.18.1।।


महात्मन: magnanimous king Dasaratha's, तस्मिन् हयमेधे when Aswamedha, क्रतौ sacrifice, निर्वृत्ते सति had been completed, सुरा: devatas, भागान् their share of Havis, प्रतिगृह्य having received, यथागतम् from wherever they came, प्रतिजग्मु: returned.

Completed by the magnanimous king (Dasaratha). The aswamedha and putreshti sacrifices, the devatas received their share of havis and returned to their respective abodes.
समाप्तदीक्षानियम: पत्नीगणसमन्वित:।

प्रविवेश पुरीं राजा सभृत्यबलवाहन:।।1.18.2।।


पत्नीगणसमन्वित: together with his queens, राजा king Dasaratha, समाप्तदीक्षानियम: having observed the rules of initiation, सभृत्यबलवाहन: along with his servants, army chariots, पुरीम् city of Ayodhya, प्रविवेश entered.

Having completed the prescribed vows (in respect of aswamedha), king Dasaratha together with his queens returned to the city of Ayodhya accompanied by his attendants, army and chariots.
यथार्हं पूजितास्तेन राज्ञा वै पृथिवीश्वरा:।

मुदिता: प्रययुर्देशान्प्रणम्य मुनिपुङ्गवम्।।1.18.3।।


पृथिवीश्वरा: lords of the earth, kings,तेन राज्ञा by that king (Dasaratha), यथार्हम् in a fitting manner, पूजिता: having been honoured, मुदिता: pleased, मुनिपुङ्गवम् best of sages, Vasistha, प्रणम्य having made obeisance, देशान् to their own countries, प्रययु: returned.

Having been honoured by the king (Dasaratha) in a be fitting manner, the highly pleased lords of the earth (kings) made obeisance to the best of sages (Vasishta) and returned to their own countries.
श्रीमतां गच्छतां तेषां स्वपुराणि पुरात्तत:।

बलानि राज्ञां शुभ्राणि प्रहृष्टानि चकाशिरे।।1.18.4।।


तत: पुरात् from that town, स्वपुराणि to their own town, गच्छताम् set out for, श्रीमताम् dignified, तेषाम् राज्ञाम् those kings', शुभ्राणि bright, प्रहृष्टानि delighted, बलानि forces, चकाशिरे shone.

When the army of the kings left the city (Ayodhya) for their own, the armed forces shone bright and cheerfl.
गतेषु पृथिवीशेषु राजा दशरथस्तदा।

प्रविवेश पुरीं श्रीमान् पुरस्कृत्य द्विजोत्तमान्।।1.18.5।।


पृथिवीशेषु when kings, गतेषु (सत्सु) departed, तदा then, श्रीमान् the exalted, राजा दशरथ: king Dasaratha, द्विजोत्तमान् foremost of brahmins, पुरस्कृत्य preceded by them, पुरीम् प्रविवेश entered the capital city.

After the departure of the rulers, the exalted king Dasaratha preceded by the foremost of brahmins entered the city (of Ayodhya).
शान्तया प्रययौ सार्धमृश्यशृङ्गस्सुपूजित:।

अन्वीयमानो राज्ञाऽथ सानुयात्रेण धीमता।।1.18.6।।


अथ after that, ऋश्यशृङ्ग: sage Rsyasringa, सुपूजित: having been duly honoured, सानुयात्रेण along his followers, धीमता by the intellectual, राज्ञा king Romapada, अन्वीयमान: was being accompanied, शान्तया सार्धम् with Santa, प्रययौ set out.

Having been duly honoured by king Dasaratha, sage Rsyasringa with his wife Santa accompanied by the wise king Romapada and his followers set out for his country.
एवं विसृज्य तान्सर्वान्राजा सम्पूर्णमानस:।

उवास सुखितस्तत्र पुत्रोत्पत्तिं विचिन्तयन्।।1.18.7।।


राजा king Dasaratha, एवम् in this manner, तान् सर्वान् all of them, विसृज्य having sent them, सम्पूर्णमानस: with composed mind, पुत्रोत्पत्तिम् about begetting sons, विचिन्तयन् thinking, तत्र there, सुखित: उवास lived happily.

When they (guests) all departed in this manner, Dasaratha with his desire fulfilled, his thought centred on begetting sons lived happily.
ततो यज्ञे समाप्ते तु ऋतूनां षट्समत्ययु:।

ततश्च द्वादशे मासे चैत्रे नावमिके तिथौ।।1.18.8।।

नक्षत्रेऽदितिदैवत्ये स्वोच्चसंस्थेषु पञ्चसु।

ग्रहेषु कर्कटे लग्ने वाक्पताविन्दुना सह।।1.18.9।।

प्रोद्यमाने जगन्नाथं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम्।

कौसल्याऽजनयद्रामं सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्।।1.18.10।।

विष्णोरर्धं महाभागं पुत्रमैक्ष्वाकुवर्धनम्।


तत: then, यज्ञे when sacrifice, समाप्ते was completed, ऋतूनाम् of seasons, षट् six, समत्ययु: were spent, तत: then, द्वादशे मासे in twelfth month, चैत्रे in Chaitra month, नावमिके तिथौ on the nineth day of the rising Moon, अदितिदैवत्ये presided by Aditi as devata, नक्षत्रे when the star (Punarvasu)was in ascendent, पञ्चसु ग्रहेषु and the five planets (Sun, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus), स्वोच्चसंस्थेषु in their own exalted houses, कर्कटे लग्ने in Karkata Lagna, वाक्पतौ when Brihaspati, इन्दुना सह along with Moon, प्रोद्यमाने was rising, कौसल्या Kausalya, जगन्नाथम् lord of the entire universe, सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम् bowed to by all the worlds, सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम् adorned with all the characteristics, विष्णो: Vishnu's, अर्धम् facet, महाभागम् highly fortunate, ऐक्ष्वाकुवर्धनम् perpetuating the Ikshvaku race, रामम् Rama, पुत्रम् as his son, अजनयत् gave birth .

Six seasons (one year) passed after the completion of the sacrifice. In the twelfth month of Chaitra on the ninth day (of the bright fortnight), with Aditi as presiding deity when the star Punarvasu was in the ascendent and the five planets Sun, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus, were exalted in their own house in karkata lagna, when Brihaspati was in conjunction with the Moon, Kausalya gave birth to a son: a facet of Visnu, Lord of the entire universe who received obeisance from all the worlds and was adorned with all auspicious signs, the venerable one to perpetuate the Ikshvaku race.
कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा।।1.18.11।।

यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना।


कौसल्या Kausalya, अमिततेजसा by one with immeasurable lustre, तेन पुत्रेण by that son, देवानाम् among devatas, by the foremost,वज्रपाणिना by the wielder of Thunderbolt, Indra, अदिति: यथा like Aditi, शुशुभे looked resplendent.

Kausalya glowed with the undiminished lustre of her son, just as Aditi with her son Indra, the foremost among the gods and the wielder of thunder.
भरतो नाम कैकेय्यां जज्ञे सत्यपराक्रम:।।1.18.12।।

साक्षाद्विष्णोश्चतुर्भागस्सर्वैस्समुदितो गुणै:।


सत्यपराक्रम: having truthful prowess, साक्षात् manifestly, विष्णो: Visnu's, चतुर्भाग: fourth part, सर्वै: गुणै: with every kind of virtue, समुदित: united with, भरतो नाम named Bharata, कैकेय्याम् of Kaikeyi, जज्ञे was born.

As an incarnation of the fourth part of Visnu, imbued with all virtues, and armed with truth Bharata was born to Kaikeyi.
अथ लक्ष्मणशत्रुघ्नौ सुमित्राऽजनयत्सुतौ।।1.18.13।।

वीरौ सर्वास्त्रकुशलौ विष्णोरर्धसमन्वितौ।


अथ then, सुमित्रा Sumitra, वीरौ heroic, सर्वास्त्रकुशलौ skilled in the use of all weapons, विष्णो: Visnu's, अर्धसमन्वितौ having facets of Visnu, लक्ष्मणशत्रुघ्नौ Lakshmana and Satrughna, सुतौ sons, अजनयत् gave birth.

Sumitra gave birth to Lakshmana and Satrughna who were heroic, skilled in the use of all weapons and endowed with the facets of Visnu.
पुष्ये जातस्तु भरतो मीनलग्ने प्रसन्नधी:।।1.18.14।।

सार्पे जातौ च सौमित्री कुलीरेऽभ्युदिते रवौ।


प्रसन्नधी: of pure intellect, भरत: Bharata, पुष्ये when the Pushya star was in ascendant, मीनलग्ने in Meena lagna, जात: was born, सौमित्री sons of Sumitra, सार्पे in Aslesha star, कुलीरे in the Karkata lagna, रवौ when Sun, अभ्युदिते is rising, जातौ were born.

Bharata endowed with pure intellect was born in meena lagna when pushya was in the ascendant. Lakshmana and Satrughna were born in karkata lagna with the star aslesha .
राज्ञ: पुत्रा महात्मानश्चत्वारो जज्ञिरे पृथक्।।1.18.15।।

गुणवन्तोऽनुरूपाश्च रुच्या प्रोष्ठपदोपमा:।


गुणवन्त: endowed with every good quality, अनुरूपा: worthy, रुच्या in brightness, प्रोष्ठपदोपमा: resembling Purva Bhaadra, Uttara Bhaadra stars, महात्मान: highly noble, राज्ञ: King's, चत्वार: four, पुत्रा: sons, पृथक् successively, जज्ञिरे were born In this manner.

Four worthy sons were successively born to the noble king (Dasaratha), endowed with all virtuous, resembling purvabhadra and uttarabhadra stars in brightness.
जगु: कलं च गन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणा:।।1.18.16।।

देवदुन्दुभयो नेदु: पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खाच्च्युता।

उत्सवश्च महानासीदयोध्यायां जनाकुल:।।1.18.17।।


गन्धर्वा: gandharvas, कलम् melodiously, जगुः sang, अप्सरोगणा: groups of apsaras, ननृतु: danced, देवदुन्दुभय: celestial kettle drums, नेदु: sounded, खात् from the sky, पुष्पवृष्टिश्च showers of flowers, च्युता was released, अयोध्यायाम् in the city of Ayodhya, जनाकुल: tumult of men, महान् great, उत्सवश्च आसीत् festivities took place.

The gandharvas sang melodiously. Groups of apsaras danced. Celestial kettledrums were sounded. Flowers were showered from the sky. Men througed to Ayodhya to witness the festivities.
रथ्याश्च जनसम्बाधा नटनर्तकसङ्कुला: ।

गायनैश्च विराविण्यो वादनैश्च तथाऽपरै:।।1.18.18।।


रथ्या: highways, जनसम्बाधा: thickly populated by men, नटनर्तकसङ्कुला: thronged by actors and dancers, गायनैश्च by singers, वादनै: by performers on different instruments, तथा and, अपरै: by other euologists and genealogists, विराविण्य: were resounding with noise.

The highways were crowded with men, thronged by actors and dancers. The voices of singers, performers on different instruments, eulogists and genealogists reverberated.
प्रदेयांश्च ददौ राजा सूतमागधवन्दिनाम्।

ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ वित्तं गोधनानि सहस्रश:।।1.18.19।।


राजा king, सूतमागधवन्दिनाम् for bards, euologists and genealogists, प्रदेयान् च gifts fit to be bestowed, ददौ gave, ब्राह्मणेभ्य: for brahmins, वित्तम् wealth, सहस्रश: in thousands, गोधनानि kine, ददौ gave.

The king distributed deserving gifts to priests, euologists and genealogists. He gave
brahmins in charity thousands of cows and other valuables.
अतीत्यैकादशाहं तु नामकर्म तथाऽकरोत्।

ज्येष्ठं रामं महात्मानं भरतं कैकयीसुतम्।।1.18.20।।

सौमित्रिं लक्ष्मणमिति शत्रुघ्नमपरं तथा।

वसिष्ठ: परमप्रीतो नामानि कृतवान् तदा ।।1.18.21।।


तथा and, एकादशाहम् eleven days, अतीत्य having completed, नामकर्म naming ceremony, अकरोत् he (Vasishta) performed, महात्मानम् illustrious one, ज्येष्ठम् eldest son, रामम् as Rama, कैकयीसुतम् the son of Kaikeyi, भरतम् as Bharata, सौमित्रिम् a son of Sumitra, लक्ष्मणमिति as Lakshmana, अपरम् the other son, शत्रुघ्नम् as Satrughna, परमप्रीत: highly delighted, वसिष्ठ: Vasishta, तदा then, नामानि कृतवान् gave names.

After a lapse of eleven days, the naming ceremony was performed. Highly delighted preceptor Vasishta named Kausalya's son Rama, Kaikeyi's son Bharata, one son of Sumitra, Lakshmana and the other Satrughna.
ब्राह्मणान्भोजयामास पौराञ्जानपदानपि।

अददाद्ब्रह्मणानां च रत्नौघममितं बहु।।1.18.22।।

तेषां जन्मक्रियादीनि सर्वकर्माण्यकारयत्।


ब्राह्मणान् brahmins, पौरान् inhabitants of the city, जानपदानपि also rural folk, भोजयामास were offered, ब्राह्मणानाम् for Brahmins, अमितम् unlimited, बहु abundant, रत्नौघम् heaps of jewels, अददात् bestowed, तेषाम् for them, जन्मक्रियादीनि rites to be performed at the time of birth, सर्वकर्माणि and all other rites, अकारयत् were made to be performed.

Brahmins as well as inhabitants of the city and rural areas were feasted. (Dasaratha) bestowed on brahmins unlimited and abundant jewels in charity. The rites at the time of birth and all other rites (associated with the newborn) were duly performed.
तेषां केतुरिव ज्येष्ठो रामो रतिकर: पितु:।।1.18.23।।

बभूव भूयो भूतानां स्वयम्भूरिव सम्मत:।


तेषाम् amongst all of them, ज्येष्ठ: eldest, राम: Rama, केतुरिव like flag, पितु: for his father भूय: exceedingly, रतिकर: causing pleasure, स्वयम्भूरिव like Brahma, भूतानाम् for all living beings, सम्मत:बभूव became highly respectable .

Among them, Rama like the exalted flag, became dear to his father like Brahma he was highly respected by all living beings.
सर्वे वेदविदश्शूरास्सर्वे लोकहिते रता:।।1.18.24।।

सर्वे ज्ञानोपसम्पन्नास्सर्वे समुदिता गुणै:।


सर्वे all of them, वेदविद: wellversed in vedas, शूरा: were heroic, सर्वे all, लोकहिते in the welfare of people, रता: devoted, सर्वे all, ज्ञानोपसम्पन्ना: endowed with knowledge, सर्वे all, गुणै: with virtues, समुदिता: were furnished with.

All the sons (of Dasaratha) became wellversed in the Vedas. They were heroic, endowed with knowledge and virtues and were devoted to the welfare of the people.
तेषामपि महातेजा रामस्सत्यपराक्रम:।।1.18.25।।

इष्टस्सर्वस्य लोकस्य शशाङ्क इव निर्मल:।


तेषामपि among all of them also, महातेजा: highly lustrous, सत्यपराक्रम: truly mighty, राम: Rama, निर्मल: free from moral taints, शशाङ्क:इव like moon, सर्वस्य लोकस्य इष्ट: was dear to the entire world.

Among them the highly lustrous and truly mighty Rama was stainless (in character).
He was auspicious to the entire world like the Moon.
गजस्कन्धेऽश्वपृष्ठे च रथचर्यासु सम्मत:।।1.18.26।।

धनुर्वेदे च निरत: पितृशुश्रूषणे रत:।


गजस्कन्धे on mounting elephants, अश्वपृष्ठे च while riding on the back of horse, रथचर्यासु going about in chariots, सम्मत: has been accepted as skilled, धनुर्वेदे च in archery also, निरत: always engaged, पितृश्शुश्रूषणे in service of his parents, रत: was devoted.

Accepted as skilled in mounting elephants, riding horses, driving chariots and also in archery, he was always emgaged in the service of his parents.
बाल्यात्प्रभृति सुस्निग्धो लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मिवर्धन:।।1.18.27।।

रामस्य लोकरामस्य भ्रातुर्ज्येष्ठस्य नित्यश:।


लक्ष्मिवर्धन: causing prosperity to grow, लक्ष्मण: Lakshmana, बाल्यात् प्रभृति from his childhood, लोकरामस्य for a man of delight of the world, ज्येष्ठस्य of the eldest, भ्रातु: of the brother, रामस्य in the matter of Rama, नित्यश: always, सुस्निग्ध: remained very friendly .

Right from his very childhood Lakshmana, an enhancer of fortune, always remained very attached to his eldest brother Rama, the delight of the world.
सर्वप्रियकरस्तस्य रामस्यापि शरीरत:।।1.18.28।।

लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मिसम्पन्नो बहि:प्राण इवापर:।


लक्ष्मिसम्पन्न: possessed of auspiciousness, लक्ष्मण: Lakshmana, शरीरत: अपि even by offering his body, सर्वप्रियकर: doing every thing dear to him, तस्य रामस्य for that Rama, अपर: another, बहि: प्राण इव like life moving outside (his body).

Lakshmana, possessed of fortune, was the dearest to his brother than his own body. As though he was his life without.
न च तेन विना निद्रां लभते पुरुषोत्तम:।।1.18.29।।

मृष्टमन्नमुपानीतमश्नाति न हि तं विना।


पुरुषोत्तमः greatest among men( Rama), तेन विना without Lakshmana, निद्राम् sleep, न लभते did not obtain, उपानीतम् having been presented, मृष्टम् best cooked, अन्नं च food, तं विना without him, न हि अश्नाति would not partake the same.

Rama, the greatest among men would not sleep without Lakshmana's company. He would not partake even the choicest food minus to him.
यदा हि हयमारूढो मृगयां याति राघव:।।1.18.30।।

तदैनं पृष्ठतोऽन्वेति सधनु: परिपालयन्।


राघव: Raghava, हयम् horse back, आरूढ: mounting on, यदा whenever, मृगयाम् for hunting, याति goes, तदा then, स: Lakshmana, धनु: परिपालयन् holding bow in his hand, एनम् him (Rama), पृष्ठत: behind, अन्वेति followed.

Whenever Raghava (Rama) went hunting into the forest, riding the horse, Lakshmana used to follow him holding bow and arrows (in his hand).
भरतस्यापि शत्रुघ्नो लक्ष्मणावरजो हि स:।।1.18.31।।

प्राणै: प्रियतरो नित्यं तस्य चासीत्तथा प्रिय:।


लक्ष्मणावरज: younger brother of Lakshmana, स: शत्रुघ्न: that Satrughna, भरतस्यापि for Bharata also, नित्यम् always, प्राणै: (more than his) life, प्रियतर: was dearer, तस्य च आसीत् for Satrughna also, तथा in that manner, प्रिय: became dear( to Bharata).

In a similar manner Satrughna, younger brother of Lakshmana, became dearer than his own life to Bharata. Similarly, Bharata also was dear to Satrughna.
स चतुर्भिर्महाभागै:पुत्रैर्दशरथ: प्रियै:।।1.18.32।।

बभूव परमप्रीतो देवैरिव पितामह:।


स: दशरथ: Dasaratha, महाभागै: by the very fortunate ones, चतुर्भि: four, पुत्रै: by sons, पितामह: Brahma, देवै: इव like devatas, परमप्रीत: बभूव was highly pleased.

With his very fortunate sons, Dasaratha was highly pleased like Brahma was with the gods.
ते यदा ज्ञानसम्पन्नास्सर्वैस्समुदिता गुणै:।।1.18.33।।

ह्रीमन्त: कीर्तिमन्तश्च सर्वज्ञा दीर्घदर्शिन:।

तेषामेवं प्रभावानां सर्वेषां दीप्ततेजसाम्।।1.18.34।।

पिता दशरथो हृष्टो ब्रह्मा लोकाधिपो यथा।


ते they, यदा when, ज्ञानसम्पन्ना: were enriched with knowledge, सर्वैः गुणै: by all virtues, समुदिता: united, ह्रीमन्त: modest, कीर्तिमन्तश्च renowned, सर्वज्ञा: knower of all things, दीर्घदर्शिन: farsighted, एवं in this manner, प्रभावानाम् having such faculties, दीप्ततेजसाम् of the men of shining glory, तेषां सर्वेषाम् in their matter, पिता दशरथ: father Dasaratha, लोकाधिप: lord of the worlds, ब्रह्मा यथा like Brahma, हृष्ट: rejoiced.

All his sons were enriched with knowledge and endowed with all virtues. They were modest, renowned, omniscient and farsighted. Dasaratha rejoiced at the sight of those glorious sons with such faculties and looked like Brahma, Lord of the worlds.
ते चापि मनुजव्याघ्रा वैदिकाध्ययने रता:।।1.18.35।।

पितृशुश्रूषणरता धनुर्वेदे च निष्ठिता:।


ते they, मनुजव्याघ्रा अपि also tigers among men, वैदिकाध्ययने in the study of vedas, रता: were engaged, पितृशुश्रूषणरता: intent on doing service to their parents, धनुर्वेदे in the archery also, निष्ठिता: were proficient.

They (like) tigers among men, were fond of the study of the Vedas and were always
engaged in the service of their parents. They were also proficient in the science of archery.
अथ राजा दशरथस्तेषां दारक्रियां प्रति।।1.18.36।।

चिन्तयामास धर्मात्मा सोपाध्यायस्सबान्धव:।


अथ thereafter, धर्मात्मा the virtuous, राजा दशरथ: king Dasaratha, सोपाध्याय: along with priests, सबान्धव: along with relatives, तेषाम् their, दारक्रियां प्रति marriage, चिन्तयामास was engaged in the thought .

Then the virtuous king Dasaratha deliberated with his priests and kinsmen about the marriage of his sons.
तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य मन्त्रिमध्ये महात्मन:।।1.18.37।।

अभ्यगच्छन्महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:।


महात्मन: of the noble minded, तस्य king Dasaratha, मन्त्रिमध्ये in the midst of counsellors, चिन्तयमानस्य while he was thinking, महातेजा: highly illustrious king, विश्वामित्र: महामुनि: ascetic Viswamitra, अभ्यगच्छत् arrived.

While the nobleminded king was thus deliberating in the midst of his counsellors, there arrived the effulgent ascetic Viswamitra.
स राज्ञो दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी द्वाराध्यक्षानुवाच ह।।1.18.38।।

शीघ्रमाख्यात मां प्राप्तं कौशिकं गाधिनस्सुतम्।


स: he, राज्ञ: king's, दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी desirous of seeing, द्वाराध्यक्षान् door keepers, उवाच ह addressed saying, "गाधिन: Gadhi's, सुतम् son, कौशिकम् born in the line of Kusika, माम् me, प्राप्तम् having arrived, शीघ्रम् speedily, आख्यात declare".

Desirous of seeing the king (Dasaratha) he accosted the doorkeepers, saying "Inform the king quickly about the arrival of Viswamitra, the son of Gadhi born in the line of
Kusika".
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं त्रासाद्राज्ञो वेश्म प्रदुद्रुवु:।।1.18.39।।

सम्भ्रान्तमनसस्सर्वे तेन वाक्येन चोदिता:।


तत् वचनम् those words, श्रुत्वा having heard, सर्वे all of them, सम्भ्रान्तमनस: with excited minds, तेन वाक्येन by that statement, चोदिता: prompted, राज्ञ: king's, वेश्म apartment, त्रासात् due to fear, प्रदुद्रुवुः hastened.

On hearing those words (of Viswamitra) all of them prompted by fear because of left for the royal apartment with excited minds and hurried steps.
ते गत्वा राजभवनं विश्वामित्रमृषिं तदा।।1.18.40।।

प्राप्तमावेदयामासुर्नृपायैक्ष्वाकवे तदा।


तदा then, ते they, राजभवनम् towards royal palace, गत्वा having gone, तदा then, विश्वामित्रम् ऋषिम् maharshi Viswamitra, प्राप्तम् having come, ऐक्ष्वाकवे to the king belonging to Ikshvaku race, नृपाय to king Dasaratha, आवेदयामासु: communicated.

Having reached the royal hall, they reported to the king (Dasaratha), descendant of the Ikshvakus about the arrival of sage Viswamitra.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सपुरोधास्समाहित:।।1.18.41।।

प्रत्युज्जगाम तं हृष्टो ब्रह्माणमिव वासव:।


तेषाम् theirs, तत् वचनम् those words, श्रुत्वा having heard, हृष्ट: immensely pleased, सपुरोधा: together with his preceptors, समाहित: with absorbed mind, तम् him, वासव: Indra, ब्रह्माणमिव like Brahma, प्रत्युज्जगाम went forth to receive him.

Having heard their words, Dasaratha in great joy went forth together with his preceptors to receive him like Indra receiving Brahma.
तं दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितं दीप्त्या तापसं संशितव्रतम्।।1.18.42।।

प्रहृष्टवदनो राजा ततोऽर्घ्यमुपहारयत्।


तत: then, राजा king, ज्वलितम् shining, दीप्त्या with radiance, तापसं ascetic, संशितव्रतम् who had fulfilled his vows, तम् him, दृष्ट्वा having seen, प्रहृष्टवदन: with cheerful countenance, अर्घ्यम् respectable offerings, उपहारयत् offered.

Seeing Viswamitra, shining with the power of his penance fulfilled the king with a cheerful countenance made offerings with due respect.
स राज्ञ: प्रतिगृह्यार्घ्यं शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा।।1.18.43।।

कुशलं चाव्ययं चैव पर्यपृच्छन्नराधिपम्।2


स: he, शास्त्रदृष्टेन as shown in the scriptures, कर्मणा by religious rites, राज्ञ: of the king, अर्घ्यम् offerings, प्रतिगृह्य having received, नराधिपम् king, कुशलं च welfare of the kingdom, अव्ययं prosperity, पर्यपृच्छत् enquired.

Viswamitra received the offerings as ordained in the scriptures and enquired from the king about the welfare and prosperity of his kingdom.
पुरे कोशे जनपदे बान्धवेषु सुहृत्सु च ।।1.18.44।।

कुशलं कौशिको राज्ञ: पर्यपृच्छत्सुधार्मिक:।


सुधार्मिक: exceedingly virtuous, कौशिक: Viswamitra, राज्ञ: King's, पुरे in the cities, कोशे in treasury, जनपदे in the villages, बान्धवेषु among relatives, सुहृत्सु च among friends, कुशलम् welfare, पर्यपृच्छत् enquired.

The exceedingly virtuous sage Viswamitra enquired from the king about the treasury welfare of his subjects living in cities and villages, and the well being of his friends and relatives.
अपि ते सन्नतास्सर्वे सामन्ता रिपवो जिता:।।1.18.45।।

दैवं च मानुषं चापि कर्म ते साध्वनुष्ठितम्।


सामन्ता: tributary kings, सर्वे all, ते to you, अपि सन्नता: are they submissive, रिपव: enemies, जिता: are conquered, ते to you, दैवतं कर्म rites for propitiating gods, मानुषं चापि service to humanity, साधु rightly, अनुष्ठितम् performed.

Are the tributary kings submissive to you? Have you conquered your enemies? Are the rites for propitiating gods and the services to humanity performed rightly?
वसिष्ठं च समागम्य कुशलं मुनिपुङ्गव:।।1.18.46।।

ऋषींश्च तान्यथान्यायं महाभागानुवाच ह।


मुनिपुङ्गव: the foremost of ascetis,Viswamitra, वसिष्ठं च Vasistha also, तान् महाभागान् all those distinguished men, ऋषींश्च sages also, यथान्यायम् according to customary protocol, समागम्य having approached, कुशलम् welfare, उवाच spoke (enquired).

The foremost of ascetis, Viswamitra approached Vasishta and all other distinguised sages following the protocal and enquired about their welfare.
ते सर्वे हृष्टमनसस्तस्य राज्ञो निवेशनम्।।1.18.47।।

विविशु: पूजितास्तत्र निषेदुश्च यथार्हत:।


सर्वे all of them, हृष्टमनस: with gladdened hearts, तस्य राज्ञ: that king's, निवेशनम् royal palace, विविशु: entered, तत्र there, यथार्हत: according to their statusmerit, पूजिता: having been honoured, निषेदुश्च sat down.

All of them with gladdened hearts entered the royal palace and sat down, in accordance with their position after having been duly honoured by the king.
अथ हृष्टमना राजा विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम्।।1.18.48।।

उवाच परमोदारो हृष्टस्तमभिपूजयन्।


अथ thereafter, परमोदार: highly generous, राजा king Dasaratha, हृष्टमना: wellpleased, तम् महामुनिम् that great sage, विश्वामित्रम् Visvamitra, अभिपूजयन् while worshipping, हृष्ट: with joy, उवाच spoke৷৷

Then the munificent king, very much (at Viswamitra's arrival) pleased offered him a happy hospitality and spoke:
यथाऽमृतस्य सम्प्राप्तिर्यथावर्षमनूदके।

यथा सदृशदारेषु पुत्रजन्माऽप्रजस्य च ।।1.18.49।।

प्रणष्टस्य यथालाभो यथा हर्षो महोदये।

तथैवागमनं मन्ये स्वागतं ते महामुने।।1.18.50।।


महामुने O Great sage, अमृतस्य nectar's, सम्प्राप्ति: obtaining, यथा like, अनूदके in a parched land वर्षम् rain, यथा like, अप्रजस्य for a man without progeny, सदृशदारेषु through his worthy wife, पुत्रजन्म birth of sons, यथा like, प्रणष्टस्य for one who lost wealth, लाभः recoveryof, यथा like, महोदये in a great achievement, हर्ष: joy, यथा like, ते आगमनम् your arrival, तथा एव similar to that, मन्ये I am considering, स्वागतम् welcome to you,

"O great sage, welcome to you Your arrival, to me, is like nectar (to a human being), rains to the parched land, birth of a son to the childless through his worthy wife, recovery of lost properity and festive joy in a great achievemnt.
कं च ते परमं कामं करोमि किमु हर्षित: ।।1.18.51।।

पात्रभूतोऽसि मे ब्रह्मन्दिष्टया प्राप्ताऽसि कौशिक ।

अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम्।।1.18.52।।
 

ब्रह्मन् O Brahman, हर्षित: satisfied, ते to you, परमम् great, कं कामम् which wish, किमु in what manner, करोमि shall I do, मे for me, पात्रभूत: असि (you) are role model for righteousness,कौशिक O Viswamitra!, दिष्टचा luckily, प्राप्त: असि (you) have come, अद्य now, मे my, जन्म birth, सफलम् fruitful, जीवितं च life also, सुजीवितम् has accomplished its objective.

"O Brahman! what is your desire and in what manner shall I fulfill it to your satisfaction? You are a role model for righteousness. How fortunate I am you have come! My birth is rendered fruitful. My life has accomplished its objective.
पूर्वं राजर्षिशब्देन तपसा द्योतितप्रभः।

ब्रह्मर्षित्वमनुप्राप्त: पूज्योऽसि बहुधा मया।।1.18.53।।


पूर्वम् formerly, राजर्षिशब्देन by the word of 'Rajarshi', द्योतितप्रभ: indicating your shining (power), अनु thereafter, तपसा by austerities, ब्रह्मर्षित्वम् status of Brahmarshi, प्राप्त: (you have) obtained, मया by me, बहुधा in several ways, पूज्य:असि you are worthy of worship.

Earlier you were rajarshi, a warrior sage. By your austerities you have obtained the brilliance that lends radiance even to the Sun and the Moon you have gained the status of a brahmrshi. In several ways you are worthy of my worship.
तदद्भुतमिदं ब्रह्मन्पवित्रं परमं मम।

शुभक्षेत्रगतश्चाहं तव सन्दर्शनात्प्रभो।।1.18.54।।


ब्रह्मन् O Brahman, तत् therefore इदम् this l, अद्भुतम् wonderful, मम to me, परमम् great, पवित्रम् pure, प्रभो O Lord, तव your, सन्दर्शनात् by the presence, अहम् I, शुभक्षेत्रगतश्च have acquired merits of pilgrimage .

O Brahman your arrival has caused surprise to me. It has conferred great purity on me. O Lord by your very presence here, I feel I haved acquired the merits of a pilgrimage.
ब्रूहि यत्प्रार्थितं तुभ्यं कार्यमागमनं प्रति।

इच्छाम्यनुगृहीतोऽहं त्वदर्थपरिवृद्धये।।1.18.55।।


आगमनं प्रति in coming here, तुभ्यम् to you, प्रार्थितम् desired, यत् कार्यम् the purpose, ब्रूहि tell me, अहम् I, अनुगृहीत: am favoured, त्वदर्थपरिवृद्धये to achieve your object, इच्छामि I am desirous.

Be pleased to tell me the purpose of your visit. I desire to be given the privilege of
doing service to achieve your object.
कार्यस्य न विमर्शं च गन्तुमर्हसि कौशिक।

कर्ता चाहमशेषेण दैवतं हि भवान्मम।।1.18.56।।


कौशिक O Visvamitra, कार्यस्य of the work, विमर्शम् hesitation, गन्तुम् न अर्हसि you ought not get, अहम् I, विशेषेण specially, कर्ता च I shall accomplish that act, भवान् you, मम for me, दैवतं हि are a god.

O Viswamitra you need not hesitatate to tell me what ought to be performed. I shall accomplish that act in every possible special way. You are a god to me.
मम चायमनुप्राप्तो महानभ्युदयो द्विज।

तवागमनज: कृत्स्नो धर्मश्चानुत्तमो मम।।1.18.57।।


द्विज O Brahmin, मम for me, अयम् this, महान् great, अभ्युदय: prosperity, अनुप्राप्त: has come, मम for me, तव आगमनज: in consequence of your coming here, कृत्स्न: entire, धर्म: excellent merit, अनुत्तम: great.

O Brahmin I have attained this high foutune today. My great merit has been realised as a result of your arrival".
इति हृदयसुखं निशम्य वाक्यं

श्रुतिसुखमात्मवता विनीतमुक्तम्।

प्रथितगुणयशा गुणैर्विशिष्ट:

परमऋषि: परमं जगाम हर्षम्।।1.18.58।।


आत्मवता by the wise and prudent, Dasaratha, इति in this manner, विनीतम् in a humble way, उक्तम् spoken, हृदयसुखम् comfortable to the mind, श्रुतिसुखम् pleasant to the ears, वाक्यम् words, निशम्य having heard, प्रथितगुणयशा: with celebrated qualities and fame, गुणै: by virtues, र्विशिष्ट: distinguished, परमऋषि: excellent rishi, परमम् great, हर्षम् जगाम experinced delight.

On hearing the words spoken in such an humble manner by the prudent king words pleasing to the mind and to the ears, the great rishi of celebrated virtues and fame, of sterling qualities experienced deep delight.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे अष्टादशस्सर्ग:।।
Thus ends the eighteenth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.