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.]

tataḥ pariṣadaṅ sarvāmāmantrya vasudhādhipaḥ.

hitamuddharṣaṇaṅ caivamuvāca prathitaṅ vacaḥ৷৷2.2.1৷৷

tata: thereafter, vasudhādhipa: lord of the earth (king Dasaratha), sarvām entire, pariṣadam assembly, āmantrya having invited, hitam aimed at their welfare, urddharṣaṇam thrilling, prathitam pleasing, vaca: words, ēvaṅ in this manner, uvāca 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):

dundubhisvanakalpēna gambhīrēṇānunādinā.

svarēṇa mahatā rājā jīmūta iva nādayan৷৷2.2.2৷৷

rājalakṣaṇayuktēna kāntēnānupamēna ca.

uvāca rasayuktēna svarēṇa nṛpatirnṛpān৷৷2.2.3৷৷

nṛpati: lord of men, rājā king (Dasaratha), dundubhisvanakalpēna resonant as the sound of a kettledrum, gambhīrēṇa with a deep (voice), anunādinā echoing, mahatā great, svarēṇa with voice, jīmūta: iva like the cloud, nādayan thundering, rājalakṣaṇayuktēna having traits of royalty, kāntēna
with an attractive voice, anupamēna ca and with an incomparable, rasayuktēna delightful, svarēṇa with voice, nṛpān addressing kings, uvāca 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:

viditaṅ bhavatāmētadyathā mē rājyamuttamam.

pūrvakairmama rājēndraissutavatparipālitam৷৷2.2.4৷৷

mē my, uttamam greatest, rājyam kingdom, mama my, pūrvakai: by the predecessors, rājēndrai: by great kings, sutavat like children, yathā like, paripālitam were ruled, ētat all this, bhavatām to you, viditam is well-known.

It is well-known 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.

sō.hamikṣvākubhi ssarvairnarēndraiḥ paripālitam.

śrēyasā yōktukāmō.smi sukhārhamakhilaṅ jagat৷৷2.2.5৷৷

sa: such, aham I, ikṣvākubhi: belonging to the Ikshvaku race, sarvai: by all, narēndrai: by kings, paripālitam ruled, sukhārham worthy of happiness, akhilam entire, jagat world, śrēyasā with welfare, yōktukāma: asmi 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.

mayāpyācaritaṅ pūrvaiḥ panthānamanugacchatā.

prajā nityamanidrēṇa yathāśaktyabhirakṣitāḥ৷৷2.2.6৷৷

pūrvai: by my predecessors, ācaritam trodden, panthānam path, anugacchatā while following,
nityam always, anidrēṇa vigilant, mayāpi by me also, prajā: people, yathāśakti to the best of my ability, abhirakṣitā: were protected.

Following the path of my forefathers I protected the people to the best of my ability by being ever vigilant.

idaṅ śarīraṅ kṛtsnasya lōkasya caratā hitam.

pāṇḍurasyā.tapatrasyacchāyāyāṅ jaritaṅ mayā৷৷2.2.7৷৷

kṛtsnasya of the entire, lōkasya world's, hitam welfare, caratā observing, mayā by me, idam this, śarīram body, pāṇḍurasya white, ātapatrasya royal parasol's, chāyāyām under the shadow, jaritam 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.

prāpya varṣasahasrāṇi bahūnyāyūṅṣi jīvataḥ.

jīrṇasyāsya śarīrasya viśrāntimabhirōcayē৷৷2.2.8৷৷

bahūni several, varṣasahasrāṇi thousands of years, āyūṅṣi life-span, prāpya having reached, jīvata: while living, jīrṇasya of the decayed, asya śarīrasya for this body, viśrāntim rest, abhirōcayē I desired.

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

rājaprabhāvajuṣṭāṅ hi durvahāmajitēndriyaiḥ.

pariśrāntō.smi lōkasya gurvīṅ dharmadhuraṅ vahan৷৷2.2.9৷৷

rājaprabhāvajuṣṭāṅ with royal qualities (might, courage etc.,), ajitēndriyai: by those who have not controlled their senses, durvahām difficult to sustain, gurvīm heavy, lōkasya world's, dharmadhuram burden of duty, vahan carrying, pariśrānta: asmi 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.

sō.haṅ viśramamicchāmi putraṅ kṛtvā prajāhitē.

sannikṛṣṭānimānsarvānanumānya dvijarṣabhān৷৷2.2.10৷৷

sa: aham such as I am, sannikṛṣṭān assembled, imān these, dvijarṣabhān the best among (learned) brahmins, sarvān all, anumānya after convincing them, putram my son, prajāhitē for the welfare of the people, kṛtvā having consecrated, viśramam rest, icchāmi 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.

anujātō hi māṅ sarvairguṇairjyēṣṭhō mamātmajaḥ.

purandarasamō vīryē rāmaḥ parapurañjayaḥ৷৷2.2.11৷৷

vīryē in prowess, purandarasama: equal to Indra, parapurañjaya: conqueror of enemy cities, mama my , jyēṣṭha: ātmaja: eldest son, rāma: Rama, sarvai: by all, guṇai: virtues, mām me, anujāta: hi inherited indeed.

My eldest son Rama, inheriting every virtue of mine, is a conqueror of enemy cities and is equal to Indra in prowess.

taṅ candramiva puṣyēṇa yuktaṅ dharmabhṛtāṅ varam.

yauvarājyē niyōktā.smi prītaḥ puruṣapuṅgavam৷৷2.2.12৷৷

puṣyēṇa by the Pushya star, yuktam in conjunction, candramiva resembling moon, dharmabhṛtām among upholders of righteousness, varam best, puruṣapuṅgavam foremost among men, tam him (Rama), prīta: pleased, yauvarājyē as heir-apparent, niyōktā.smi 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 heir-apparent to the throne.

anurūpassa vai nāthō lakṣmīvān lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ.

trailōkyamapi nāthēna yēna syānnāthavattaram৷৷2.2.13৷৷

nāthēna as lord, yēna by whom, trailōkyamapi even the three worlds, nāthavattaram syāt will have better protector, sa: he, lakṣmīvān a man possessing signs of greatness, lakṣmaṇāgraja: elder brother of Lakshmana, anurūpa: befitting, nātha: vai 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.

anēna śrēyasā sadyassaṅyōjyaivamimāṅ mahīm.

gataklēśō bhaviṣyāmi sutē tasminnivēśya vai৷৷2.2.14৷৷

tasmin when such, sutē son (Rama), imām this, mahīm earth, nivēśya entrusting, anēna śrēyasā to ensure the welfare of the world, ēvam thus, sadya: without any delay, saṅyōjya having united, gataklēśa: relieved of my anxieties, bhaviṣyāmi 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.

yadidaṅ mē.nurūpārthaṅ mayā sādhu sumantritam.

bhavantō mē.numanyantāṅ kathaṅ vā karavāṇyaham৷৷2.2.15৷৷

mayā by me, sumantritam well thought-over, idam this word, sādhu proper, mē my, anurūpārthaṅ yadi if worthy of me, bhavanta: you, mē to me, anumanyantām your consent shall be given, aham I, kathaṅ vā how else, karavāṇi 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.

yadyapyēṣā mama prītirhitamanyadvicintyatām.

anyā madhyasthacintā hi vimardābhyadhikōdayā৷৷2.2.16৷৷

ēṣā this, mama my, prīti: yadyapi even though I like, anyat any alternative, hitam means of welfare, vicintyatām let it be thought over, madhyasthacintā opinion of those without partiality, anyā alternative, vimardābhyadhikōdayā 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.

iti bruvantaṅ muditāḥ pratyanandannṛpā nṛpam.

vṛṣṭimantaṅ mahāmēghaṅ nardanta iva barhiṇaḥ৷৷2.2.17৷৷

iti thus, bruvantam speaking, nṛpam king Dasaratha, nṛpā: kings, muditā: delighted, vṛṣṭimantam raining, mahāmēgham thick cloud, nardanta: making sounds, barhiṇa: iva like peacocks, pratyanandan acclaimed.

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

snigdhō.nunādī saṅjajñē tatra harṣasamīritaḥ.

janaughōdghuṣṭasannādō vimānaṅ kampayanniva৷৷2.2.18৷৷

tatra there, snigdha: affectionate, anunādī echoing, harṣasamīrita: filled with pleasure, janaughōdghuṣṭasannāda: sounds of rapturous cries of multitude of people, vimānam that palace, kampayanniva seemed as if shaking, saṅjajñē emanated.

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

tasya dharmārthaviduṣō bhāvamājñāya sarvaśaḥ.

brāhmaṇā janamukhyāśca paurajānapadai ssaha৷৷2.2.19৷৷

samētya mantrayitvā tu samatāgatabuddhayaḥ.

ūcuśca manasā jñātvā vṛddhaṅ daśarathaṅ nṛpam৷৷2.2.20৷৷

brāhmaṇā: brahmins, paurajānapadai: saha along with the inhabitants of towns and villages, janamukhyā: ca prominent men also, dharmārthaviduṣa: conversant with dharma (righteousness) and artha (state craft), tasya his (Dasaratha's), bhāvam views, sarvaśa: entirely, ājñāya having known, samētya having joined together, mantrayitvā having deliberated, manasā with mind, jñātvā having ascertained, samatāgatabuddhaya: unanimous in their thinking, vṛddham addressing the aged man (Dasaratha), ūcu: 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.

anēkavarṣasāhasrō vṛddhastvamasi pārthiva.

sa rāmaṅ yuvarājānamabhiṣiñcisva pārthivam৷৷2.2.21৷৷

pārthiva O mighty king! tvam you, anēkavarṣasāhasra: many thousands of years old, vṛddha: asi have become old, sa: such as you are, rāmam Rama, pārthivam as ruler of the earth, yuvarājānam as prince regent, abhiṣiñcisva coronate him.

O mighty king!, you have grown many thousands of years old. Therefore, you should coronate Rama as prince regent of this kingdom.

icchāmō hi mahābāhuṅ raghuvīraṅ mahābalam.

gajēna mahatā.yāntaṅ rāmaṅ chatrāvṛtānanam৷৷2.2.22৷৷

mahābāhum mighty-armed, raghuvīram hero among the Raghus, mahābalam mighty, rāmam Rama, chatrāvṛtānanam his countenance shadowed by the royal parasol, mahatā great, gajēna on an elephant, yāntam riding, icchāma: hi are desiring.

We cherish to see the mighty-armed hero among the Raghus, Rama, riding on a majestic elephant, his countenance shadowed by the royal parasol.

iti tadvacanaṅ śrutvā rājā tēṣāṅ manaḥpriyaṅ.

ajānanniva jijñāsuridaṅ vacanamabravīt৷৷2.2.23৷৷

iti in this way, tadvacanam those words, śrutvā having heard, rājā the king, tēṣām their, mana: priyam pleasing to their mind, ajānanniva as if he did not know earlier, jijñāsu: with a wish to ascertain, idam these, vacanam words, abravīt 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:

śrutvaiva vacanaṅ yanmē rāghavaṅ patimicchatha.

rājāna ssaṅśayō.yaṅ mē kimidaṅ brūta tattvataḥ৷৷2.2.24৷৷

rājāna: O kings!, mē my, vacanam words, śrutvaiva soon after listening, yat since, rāghavam son of the Raghus (Rama), patim as king, icchatha wish, mē to me, ayam this, saṅśaya: doubt, tat idam this, tattvata: truly, brūta 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

kathaṅ nu mayi dharmēṇa pṛthivīmanuśāsati.

bhavantō draṣṭumicchanti yuvarājaṅ mamātmajam৷৷2.2.25৷৷

mayi by me, dharmēṇa righteously, pṛthivīm this earth, anuśāsati while governing, bhavanta: you, mama my, ātmajam son, yuvarājam as prince-regent, draṣṭum to see, kathaṅ nu why indeed, icchanti wish

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

tē tamūcurmahātmānaṅ paurajānapadaissaha.

bahavō nṛpa kalyāṇā guṇāḥ putrasya santi tē৷৷2.2.26৷৷

paurajānapadai: saha along with inhabitants of towns and villages, tē those (kings), mahātmānam that magnanimous, tam addressing him, ūcu: said, nṛpa O king, tē your, putrasya son's, bahava: many, kalyāṇā: auspicious, guṇā: santi 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.

guṇān guṇavatō dēva dēvakalpasya dhīmataḥ.

priyānānandanānkṛtsnānpravakṣyāmō.dya tān śṛṇu৷৷2.2.27৷৷

dēva O king!, guṇavata: of the man endowed with virtues, dēvakalpasya resembling devatas, dhīmata: sagcious Rama's, priyān dear, ānandanān causing delight, kṛtsnān all, tān guṇān his virtues, adya now, vakṣyāma: we shall speak, śṛṇu 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.

divyairguṇaiśśakrasamō rāmassatyaparākramaḥ.

ikṣvākubhyō.pi sarvēbhyō hyatiriktō viśāṅpatē৷৷2.2.28৷৷

viśāṅpatē O lord of the people (Dasaratha), rāma: Rama, divyai: by the divine, guṇai: by virtues, śakrasama: equal to Indra, satyaparākrama: one with proven valour, sarvē.bhyōpi among all also, ikṣvākubhya: among the descendents of Iksvaku, atirikta: 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.

rāma ssatpuruṣō lōkē satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ.

sākṣādrāmādvinirvṛttō dharmaścāpi śriyā saha৷৷2.2.29৷৷

lōkē in this world, rāma: Rama, satpuruṣa: a venerable man, satyadharmaparāyaṇa: devoted to truth and righteousness, rāmāt from Rama, dharma: ca api righteousness also, śriyā saha along with prosperity, sākṣāt directly, vinirvṛtta: 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.

prajāsukhattvē candrasya vasudhāyāḥ kṣamāguṇaiḥ.

buddhyā bṛhaspatēstulyō vīryē sākṣācchacīpatēḥ৷৷2.2.30৷৷

prajāsukhattvē in causing happiness to the people, candrasya of the Moon, kṣamāguṇai: in the virtue of forbearance, vasudhāyā: of the earth, buddhyā by wisdom, bṛhaspatē: of Brihaspati, vīryē in prowess, śacīpatē: of Indra, sākṣāt directly, tulya: 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.

dharmajña ssatyasandhaśca śīlavānanasūyakaḥ.

kṣānta ssāntvayitā ślakṣṇaḥ kṛtajñō vijitēndriyaḥ৷৷2.2.31৷৷

dharmajña: knower of righteousness, satyasandha: true to his vows, śīlavān one with good character, anasūyaka: free from envy, kṣānta: one with forbearance, sāntvayitā one who
consoles others, ślakṣṇa: gentle, kṛtajña: grateful, vijitēndriya: 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).

mṛduśca sthiracittaśca sadā bhavyō.nasūyakaḥ.

priyavādī ca bhūtānāṅ satyavādī ca rāghavaḥ৷৷2.2.32৷৷

bahuśrutānāṅ vṛddhānāṅ brāhmaṇānāmupāsitā.

tēnāsyēhā.tulā kīrtiryaśastējaśca vardhatē৷৷2.2.33৷৷

rāghava: son of the Raghus (Rama), mṛdu: ca soft-spoken, sthiracitta: ca steadfast, sadā always, bhavya: serene, anasūyaka: free from envy, bhūtānām for living beings, priyavādī pleasing satyavādī ca one who always speaks the truth, bahuśrutānām of those learned in a number of shastras, vṛddhānām of elderly persons, brāhmaṇānām of brahmins, upāsitā serves, tēna with these, asya his, atulā incomparable, kīrti: glory, yaśa: fame, tējaśca splendour, iha in this world, vardhatē growing.

This son of the Raghus (Rama) is soft-spoken, 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.

dēvāsuramanuṣyāṇāṅ sarvāstrēṣu viśāradaḥ.

samyagvidyāvratasnātō yathāvatsāṅgavēdavit৷৷2.2.34৷৷

dēvāsuramanuṣyāṇām among devatas, asuras and men, sarvāstrēṣu in wielding all kinds of weapons, viśārada: expert, samyak properly, vidyāvratasnāta: completed the vow of acquiring various branches of learning, yathāvat duly, sāṅgavēdavit 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.

gāndharvē ca bhuvi śrēṣṭhō babhūva bharatāgrajaḥ.

kalyāṇābhijana ssādhuradīnātmā mahāmatiḥ৷৷2.2.35৷৷

bharatāgraja: the elder brother of Bharata (Rama), gāndharvē in music, bhuvi on this earth, śrēṣṭha: babhūva became greatest, kalyāṇābhijana: having a noble descent, sādhu: a pious man, adīnātmā with his mind free from meanness, mahāmati: 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.

dvijairabhivinītaśca śrēṣṭhairdharmārthanaipuṇaiḥ.

yadā vrajati saṅgrāmaṅ grāmārthē nagarasya vā৷৷2.2.36৷৷

gatvā saumitrisahitō nā.vijitya nivartatē.

dharmārthanaipuṇai: distinguished in the twin aspects of dharma and artha śrēṣṭhai: by the best, dvijai: by brahmins, abhivinīta: well-instructed in all the matters, grāmārthē for the sake of a village, nagarasya vā or a town, yadā when, saṅgrāmam the battle, vrajati proceeds, saumitrisahita: along with Lakshmana, gatvā having gone, avijitya without conquering, na nivartatē does not return.

Whenever he, well-instructed in all matters by the best of brahmins well-versed 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.

saṅgrāmātpunarāgamya kuñjarēṇa rathēna vā.2.2.37৷৷

paurān svajanavannityaṅ kuśalaṅ paripṛcchati৷৷

putrēṣvagniṣu dārēṣu prēṣyaśiṣyagaṇēṣu ca.2.2.38৷৷

nikhilēnānupūrvyācca pitāputrānivaurasān৷৷

saṅgrāmāt from the battlefield, kuñjarēṇa mounting on elephant, rathēna vā or on a chariot, puna: āgamya having returned, paurān citizens, svajanavat like his own kith and kin, pitā father, aurasān putrāniva like sons of his own blood, putrēṣu with respect to their children, agniṣu sacred fires, dārēṣu wives, prēṣyaśiṣyagaṇēṣu ca multitudes of their servants and disciples, nikhilēna in detail, ānupūrvyācca by following the proper order (protocol), nityam always, kuśalam welfare, paripṛcchati 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.

śuśrūṣantē ca va śśiṣyāḥ kaccitkarmasu daṅśitāḥ৷৷2.2.39৷৷

iti naḥ puruṣavyāghra ssadā rāmō.bhibhāṣatē.

va: your, śiṣyā: disciples, karmasu in their tasks, daṅśitā: perform, śuśrūṣantē are serving, iti like this, puruṣavyāghra: a tiger among men, rāma: Rama, sadā always, na: us, abhibhāṣatē enquires.

Rama, a tiger among men, always enquires whether our disciples discharge their duties.

vyasanēṣu manuṣyāṇāṅ bhṛśaṅ bhavati duḥkhitaḥ৷৷2.2.40৷৷

utsavēṣu ca sarvēṣu pitēva parituṣyati.

manuṣyāṇām of people, vyasanēṣu in misfortunes, bhṛśam profoundly, du:khita: bhavati is grieved, sarvēṣu among all, utsavēṣu on festive occasions, pitēva like father, parituṣyati rejoices.

He grieves profoundly whenever people are afflicted by misfortunes (and) rejoices like a father on festive occasions.

satyavādī mahēṣvāsō vṛddhasēvī jitēndriyaḥ৷৷2.2.41৷৷

smitapūrvābhibhāṣī ca dharmaṅ sarvātmanā śritaḥ.

satyavādī one who speaks the truth, mahēṣvāsa: one who is a great archer, vṛddhasēvī one who serves the aged, jitēdriya: one who has conquered his senses, smitapūrvābhibhāṣī ca speaks with a smiling face, sarvātmanā whole-heartedly, dharmaṅ śrita: 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.

samyagyōktā śrēyasāṅ ca na vigṛhya kathāruciḥ৷৷2.2.42৷৷

uttarōttarayuktau ca vaktā vācaspatiryathā.

samyak rightly, śrēyasāṅ yōktā does good, vigṛhya creating dissention, kathāruci: na not interested in conversation, uttarōttarayuktau in debates, vācaspatiryathā like Brihastpati, vaktā 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).

subhrūrāyata tāmrākṣa ssākṣādviṣṇuriva svayam৷৷2.2.43৷৷

rāmō lōkābhirāmō.yaṅ śauryavīryaparākramaiḥ.

lōkābhirāma: one who is the delight of the worlds, ayam he, rāma: Rama, subhrū: having charming eye-brows, āyatatāmrākṣa: having large copper-coloured eyes, śauryavīryaparākramai: with heroism, bravery and valour, sākṣāt manifesting, svayam personally, viṣṇu: iva like Visnu.

Rama, who is the source of delight to the world, has charming eye-brows and large copper-coloured eyes. He is endowed with heroism, bravery and valour like Visnu
manifested.

prajāpālanatattvajñō na rāgōpahatēndriyaḥ৷৷2.2.44৷৷

śaktastrailōkyamapyēkō bhōktuṅ kinnu mahīmimām.

prajāpālanatatvajña: proficient in the ways and means of ruling the people, rāgōpahatēndriya: senses not overpowered by passion, na not, ēka: alone, trailōkyamapi three worlds, bhōktum to enjoy, śakta: capable, imām this, mahīm earth, kinnu 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!

nāsya krōdhaḥ prasādaśca nirarthō.sti kadācana৷৷2.2.45৷৷

hantyēva niyamādvadhyānavadhyē na ca kupyati.

asya his, kōpa: anger, prasādaśca favour also, kadācana ever, nirartha(ka): in vain, nāsti is not, niyamāt in accordance with justice, vadhyān those who deserve to be killed, hanti ēva is punishable, avadhyē those who should not be killed, na kupyati 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.

yunaktyarthaiḥ prahṛṣṭaśca tamasau yatra tuṣyati৷৷2.2.46৷৷

śāntai ssarvaprajākāntaiḥ prītisañjananairnṛṇām.

guṇairvirurucē rāmō dīpta ssūrya ivāṅśubhiḥ৷৷2.2.47৷৷

asau he (this Rama), yatra wherever, tuṣyati is pleased, tam him, prahṛṣṭa: pleased, arthai: with wealth, yunakti bestows, śāntai: with tranquil, sarvaprajākāntai: charming to all men, nṛṇām for men, prītisañjananai: causing delight to the good, guṇai: with virtues, rāma: Rama, aṅśubhi: with rays, dīpta: shining, sūrya: iva like Sun, virurucē shines.

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

tamēvaṅguṇasampannaṅ rāmaṅ satyaparākramam.

lōkapālōpamaṅ nāthamakāmayata mēdinī৷৷2.2.48৷৷

mēdinī the earth, ēvaṅ guṇasampannam richly endowed with such virtues, satyaparākramam with proven prowess, lōkapālōpamam comparable to Indra and other regents of the world, (taṅ)rāmam Rama, nātham as lord, akāmayata 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.

vatsaśśrēyasi jātastē diṣṭyā.sau tava rāghava.

diṣṭyā putraguṇairyuktō mārīca iva kāśyapaḥ৷৷2.2.49৷৷

rāghava O son of the Raghus (Dasaratha)!, tava your, diṣṭyā fortunately asau this Rama, śrēyasi for your welfare , tē to you, vatsa: as son , jāta: was born,mārīca: son of Maricha ,kāśyapa:iva like Kasyapa ,diṣṭyā fortunately, putraguṇai: by the virtues a son should possess, yukta: 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.

balamārōgyamāyuśca rāmasya viditātmanaḥ.

dēvāsuramanuṣyēṣu sagandharvōragēṣu ca৷৷2.2.50৷৷

āśaṅsatē janassarvō rāṣṭrē puravarē tathā.

ābhyantaraśca bāhyaśca paurajānapadō janaḥ৷৷2.2.51৷৷

sagandharvōragēṣu along with gandharvas, uragas, dēvāsuramanuṣyēṣu among devas, asuras and men, viditātmana: well-known, rāmasya Rama's, balam strength, ārōgyam health, āyuśca long life, rāṣṭrē in the country, tathā also, puravarē in the foremost of towns, sarva: jana: all men, ābhyantara: ca in the neighbourhood, bāhyaśca or distant, paurajānapada: jana: inhabitants of towns and
villages, āśaṅsatē 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.

striyō vṛddhāstaruṇyaśca sāyaṅ prātassamāhitāḥ.

sarvān dēvān namasyanti rāmasyārthē yaśasvinaḥ৷৷2.2.52৷৷

vṛddhā: the aged, taruṇyaśca young, striya: women, sāyam at dusk, prāta: at dawn, samāhitā: with steadfast minds, yaśasvina: illustrious, rāmasya of Rama, arthē on account of, sarvān all, dēvān the gods, namasyanti are invoking.

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

tēṣāmāyācitaṅ dēva! tvatprasādātsamṛddhyatām.

rāmamindīvaraśyāmaṅ sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam৷৷2.2.53৷৷

paśyāmō yauvarājyasthaṅ tava rājōttamātmajam.

dēva O king!, tvatprasādāt by your grace, tēṣām their, āyācitam prayer, samṛddhyatām be fulfilled, rājōttama great among kings, indīvaraśyāmam complexion like blue lotus, sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam destroyer of foes, tava your, ātmajam son, rāmam Rama, yaivarājyam as prince regent, paśyāma: 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 blue-lotus and destroyer of enemies as prince regent.

taṅ dēva dēvōpamamātmajaṅ tē

sarvasya lōkasya hitē niviṣṭam.

hitāya naḥ kṣipramudārajuṣṭaṅ

mudā.bhaṣēktuṅ varada! tvamarhasi৷৷2.2.54৷৷

varada! O bestower of boons, dēvadēvōpamam equal to god of the gods, sarvasya for the entire, lōkasya for the world, hitē in the welfare, niviṣṭam intent upon, udārajuṣṭam one who welcomes nobility, tam that, tē ātmajam your son, tvam you, na: for our, hitāya welfare, kṣipram without delay, mudā cheerfully, abhiṣēktum to enthrone as heir-apparent, arhasi 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 well-being and to the welfare of this world, as your heir-apparent.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē dvitīyassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the second sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.