Book I : Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 13
Verses converted to UTF_8 Sept, 09

Introduction

King Dasharatha requests Sage Vashishta, the Royal Priest to commence works for the Vedic ritual. Sage Vashishta instructs all the concerned about the discipline to be observed in executing the works. Sage Vashishta also instructs the minister Sumantra to invite various kings of other countries, and those kings will be received with great hospitality. King Dasharatha along with his wives takes ritual vow and enters ritual hall.


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punaH praapte vasante tu puurNaH saMvatsaro.abhavat |
prasavaartham gato yaShTum hayamedhena viiryavaan || 1-13-1

1.punaH praapte vasante tu = again, recurred, spring season, but in; puurNa samvatsaraH abhavat = full, year, over; viiryavaan = determined one; prasava artham = progeny, requiring; yaSTum haya medhena = to ritualize, with Horse ritual; gataH = entered [ritual hall.]

On completion of one full year another springtime arrived, and then Dasharatha a determined one to beget progeny by performing Horse Ritual entered the ritual hall. [1-13-1]

The performer of such Vedic rituals has to perform preliminary rituals for a period of one year in order to attain eligibility to perform the final one. Here Dasharatha is said to have completed such preludes as he entering into the Vedic ritual hall in the springtime of the succeeding year to the one referred in last chapter.

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abhivaadya vasiShTham ca nyaayataH pratipuujya ca |
abraviit prashritam vaakyam prasavaartham dvijottamam || 1-13-2

2. dwija uittamam vashiSTam abhivaadya = to that Brahman, the best, to Vashishta, on greeting; nyayataH pratipuujya cha = customarily, adoring him, also; abraviit pra shritam prasavaartham vaakyam = said, very, humble, words.

Greeting and even adoring the Sage Vashishta customarily Dasharatha said these very humble words to him. [1-13-2]

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yaj~no me kriyataam brahman yathoktam munipu~Ngava |
yathaa na vighnaaH kriyante yaj~naaMgeShu vidhiiyataam || 1-13-3

3. muni pungavaH = sage, the eminent; braahman = oh, Brahman; me yaj~naH yatha uktam kriyataam = ritual, of, mine, as said [in scriptures] be performed; yajna angeSu = ritual's, ancillary functions; yathaa na vighnaH kriyate = as to how, no, obstacles, be occurred; that way; vidhiiyataam = be conducted.

"Let my ritual be performed scripturally, oh eminent Brahman, let it be conducted in such a way that no obstacle occurs even in its ancillary functions. [1-13-3]

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bhavaan snigdhaH suhR^in mahyam guruH ca paramo mahaan |
voDhavyo bhavataa ca eva bhaaro yaj~nasya ca udyataH || 1-13-4

4. bhavaan snigdhaH suhR^it mahyam = you are, friendly, kind-hearted, to me; paramaH mahaan guruH cha = very, reverent, royal priest, also; yaj~nasya udyataH bhaaraH = ritual's, upheaved, burden; bhavata eva voDhavyaH = by you, alone, that shoulder it.

"You being my very reverent royal priest are friendly and kind-hearted to me, and you alone shall shoulder the burden of the commenced ritual in all good faith and credence. [1-13-4]

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tathaa iti ca sa raajaanam abraviit dvijasattamaH |
kariShye sarvam eva etat bhavataa yat samarthitam ||1-13-5

5. dwija sattama = Brahman, the reverent; saH = he, Sage Vashishta; bhavataa yat samarthitam = by you, that which, is requested, or decided; etat = all that; sarvam tathaa kariSye = all, accordingly, I will make happen; iti raajaanam abraviit = thus, to king, said.

Then that reverent Brahman Vashishta said to king, "Whatever that is requested or decided by you, I will see that all of them are materialised accordingly. [1-13-5]

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tato.abraviit dvijaan vR^iddhaan yaj~na karmasu niShThitaan |
sthaapatye niShThitaam ca eva vR^iddhaan parama dhaarmikaan || 1-13-6
karma antikaan shilpakaaraan vardhakiin khanakaan api |
gaNakaan shilpinaH ca eva tathaa eva naTa nartakaan || 1-13-7
tathaa shuciin shaastra vidaH puruShaan su bahu shrutaan |
yaj~na karma samiihantaam bhavanto raaja shaasanaat || 1-13-8
iShTakaa bahu saahasrii shiighram aaniiyataam iti |
upakaaryaaH kriyantaam ca raaj~no bahu guNaanvitaaH || 1-13-9

6,7,8,9. tataH abraviit dwijaan vR^iddhaan = then [Sage Vashishta,] spoken to, to Brahmans, elderly scholars; yaj~na karmasu niSTitaan = in ritual performance, proficient persons; vR^iddhaan parama dhaarmikaan = elderly experts, very, virtuous ones; sthaapatye niSTitaam cha eva = to architects, proficient ones, thus; karma antikaan = supervisors; shilpakaraan = brick makers; vardhakiin = carpenters; khanakaan api = earth-diggers, too; gaNakaan = accountants; shilpinaH cha eva = sculptors, also, thus; tatha eva = like that only; naTa = actors; nartakaan = dancers; tathaa suchiin shaastra vidaH puruSaan = thus, flawless, scriptures, scholars, to those men; su bahu shrutaan = well, many, heard [well-read in Vedas]; bhavantaH = by you all; raaja shaasanaat = by king's order; yaj~na karma = ritual, performance; samiihantaam = be organised; iSTakaa bahu sahasrii = bricks, many, thousands; shiighram aniiyataam iti = quickly, be brought, thus; raajaanaam = for kingly [guests]; bahu guNaanvitaa = very many, facilities included; upakaaryaH kriyantaam cha = royal palaces [guest houses,] be built, also.

Then Sage Vashishta then summoned and spoke to elderly Brahman scholars, and elderly architects who are all proficient and elderly experts in conducting the construction of the ritual hall etc. Then summoned are the construction supervisors, brick-makers, carpenters, earth-diggers, accountants, and sculptors. So also the actors and dancers are summoned. Thus flawless scholars in scriptures and those men who are well read in Veda-s, are called and he addressed them saying, "Performance of the ritual be organised by the order of the king. Bricks in many thousands be brought quickly and royal palaces as temporary guesthouses be built for the kingly guests, with very many facilities included in them. [1-13-6,7,8,9]

A detailed description of the components of Vedic ritual hall is given at the endnote of next chapter, wherein King Dasharatha enters. Vedic ritual cannot be performed in ordinary households or in small temples. A very large place is selected, as per architectural science, and at its centre a homa kunda, an altar of fire will be constructed. This area will not have any roofing so as to let the vapours of oblations of ghee, sandalwood paste and others offered into the fire of altar, get into the atmosphere and thereby to Heavens. Around this altar of fire, huge sheds will be constructed to accommodate thousands of participants and onlookers. Apart from this, mammoth kitchens and dining halls are to be constructed as all of the thousands of participants, who are to be fed as long as ritual is conducted. Some of the many tradesmen are listed in a bird's eye view as above.

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braahmaNa aavasathaaH caiva kartavyaaH shatashaH shubhaaH |
bhakShya anna paanaiH bahubhiH samupetaaH suniShThitaaH ||1-13-10

10. shubhaaH = ideal; bahubhiH = with very many; bhakshya anna paanaiH sam upetaa = with eatables, foods, potables, having; su niSTitaaH = well established ones; brahmaNaa aavasathaa = Brahmans, accommodation for; shatashaH kartavyaaa = in hundreds, are to be done [built.]

"Like that, for accommodating Brahmans hundreds of sanctified houses be built, well endowed and well established with very many eatables, foods, and potables. [1-13-10]

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tathaa paura janasya api kartavyaaH cha suvistaraaH |
aagataanaam suduuraat cha paarthivaanaam pR^ithak pR^ithak || 1-13-11

11. tathaa paura janasya api = so also, city, people, too; su vistaraaH kartavyaa cha = very, spacious [accomodation,] is to be done [built,] even; aagataanaam su duuraat cha = to those arriving, from distant places, also; paarthivaanaam pR^ithak pR^ithak = to kings, separately, separately [accommodation is to be given.]

"So also, accommodation is to be given for city dwellers too, in very spacious housing, and severally for the kings arriving from distant places.[1-13-11]

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vaajivaaraNa shalaaH cha tathaa shayyaa gR^ihaaNi cha |
bhaTaanaam mahadaavaasam vaideshika nivaasinaam || 1-13-12

12. tathaa shayyaa gR^ihaaNi cha = like that, reposing, stalls, also; vaajivaaraNa shalaaH cha = for horses, stables, also; bhaTaanaam mahat aavaasam = for soldiers, great, billets; vaideshika nivaasinaam = foreign-country, dwellers of.

"For horses stables, reposing stalls for elephants, like that great billets for soldiers may be built for those foreign-country dwellers arriving in here on their horses and elephants along with their soldiers. [1-13-12]

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aavaasaa bahu bhakShyaa vai sarva kaamaiH upasthitaaH |
tathaa paurajansya api janasya bahu shobhanam || 1-13-13

13. aavaasaaH bahu bhakshyaaH vai = lodgings, with many foods, verily; sarva kaamaiH upasthitaaH = with all, utilities, arranged; tathaa paura jansya api = thus, for this city dwellers also; janasya bahu shobhanam = for [other] people, very, grand [food be given.]

"These lodgings are to be arranged with many foods and utilities for the people of this city and for others coming from distant countries, and a very grand food be given in all of them. [1-13-13]

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daatavyam annam vidhivat satkR^itya na tu liilayaa |
sarve varNaa yathaa puujaam praapnuvanti susatkR^itaaH || 1-13-14
na ca avaj~naa prayoktavyaa kaama krodha vashaat api |

14, 15a. annam daatavyam vidhivat = food, be given, dutifully; satkR^itya na tu liilaya = treating well, not, just, illusively; sarve varNaa = to all, castes; yathaa puujaam praapnuvanti = as they would, respects, they get; su satkritaaH = well honoured na cha avaj~naa prayoktavya = not any, disrespect, be shown [to anyone]; kaama krodha vashaat api = passion, anger, overcome by.

"Food is to be given dutifully treating all of them well but not just illusively, and the people of all the castes shall be well honoured as they would get their due respect, and no disrespect be shown, even when overcome by passion or anger at anyone. [1-13-14, 15a]

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yaj~na karmasu ye vyagraaH puruShaaH shilpinaH tathaa || 1-13-15
teShaam api visheSheNa puujaa kaaryaa yathaa kramam |
ye syuH saMpuujitaa sarve vasubhiH bhojanena ca || 1-13-16

15b, 16. ye puruSaaH tathaa shilpinaH = those, men, like that, architects; yaj~na karmasu vyagraa = in ritual's works, preoccupied; tesham api visheSeNa = they be, also, exceptionally; puujaa kaaryaa yathaa kramam = respectability, to be done, as they, deserve; ye sarve vasubhiH bhojanena cha = those, all, with funds, with foods, also; sampujitaa syuH = well treated, they will be.

"Exceptionally respectable are those men and architects that are preoccupied in the works of the ritual as they deserve, and those men involved in these works shall be well-treated with funds and food. [1-13-15b, 16]

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yathaa sarvam suvihitam na kiMcit parihiiyate |
tathaa bhavantaH kurvantu priiti yuktena cetasaa || 1-13-17

17. sarvam yathaa su vihitam = all this, as to how, will be well, organised; kimchit na pari hiiyate = in the least, not, be neglected; tathaa bhavanta = thus, you all; priiti yuktena chetasaa = with interestedness [cooperation,] in good spirit; kurvantu = shall administer.

"Thus, as to how all this be well organised without least negligence, thus you all shall administer in all your cooperation and good spirit." Thus Sage Vashishta spoke to the organisers. [1-13-17]

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tataH sarve samaagaMya vasiShTham idam abruvan |
yatheShTam tat suvihitam na kiMcit parihiiyate || 1-13-18
yathoktam tat kariShyaamo na kiMcit parihiiyate |

18, 19a. tataH sarve samaagamya = then, all of them, collectively; vashiSTam idam abruvan = to Vashishta, this, replied; yathaa iSTam tat su vihitam = as desired, that, well ordered [will be done]; na kimchit parihiiyate = not, in the least, will be neglected; yathaa uktam tat kariSyamaH = as, said, that, we will do; na kimchit parihaasyate = not, least, be slighted.

Then all of them collectively replied to Sage Vashishta "As desired, all the well ordered works will not be neglected in the least, and they will be done as ordered, and not the least of them will be slighted." So said the artisans to Sage Vashishta. [1-13-18, 19a]

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tataH sumaMtram aahuuya vasiShTho vaakyam abraviit || 1-13-19
nimaMtrayasva nR^ipatiin pR^ithivyaam ye ca dhaarmikaaH |
braahmaNaan kShatriyaan vaishyaan shuudraam ca eva sahasrashaH || 1-13-20
samaanayasva satkR^itya sarva desheShu maanavaan |

19b, 20, 21a. tataH sumantram aahuuya = then, Sumantra, on calling for; vashiSTaH vaakyam abraviit = Vashishta, [this] sentence, said; pR^idhivyaam ye dhaarmikaaH nR^ipatiim nimantrayasva = on the earth, those, that are righteous ones, [those] kings, be invited; sarva desheSu maanavaan = from all, kingdoms, people; brahmaNaan kshatriyaan vaisyaan shuudraam = Brahmans, Kshatriya-s, Vaisyaa-s, Shuudra-s; cha eva sahasrasaH = also, thus, in thousands [scores of tem]; satkR^itya sam aanayasva = on honouring, let them be invited.

"Then on calling for Sumantra, Sage Vashishta said these words to him, "Let all those kings of the earth that are righteous be invited, and let all the people from all the kingdoms, say Brahmans, Kshatriya-s, Vyasya-s, Shudra-s be invited in scores duly honouring them." So said Vashishta to Sumantra. [1-13-19b, 20, 21a]

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mithilaadhipatim shuuram janakam satya vaadinam || 1-13-21
tam aanaya mahaabhaagam svayam eva susatkR^itam |
puurva saMbandhinam j~naatvaa tataH puurvam braviimi te || 1-13-22

21b, 22. mithila patim shuuram janakam = Mithila kingdom's, king, valiant one, King Janaka; satya vaadinam = truth, advocate of; tam aanaya mahaa bhaagam = him [Janaka,] invite, great, estimable one; svayameva eva = personally, thus [by you]; su satkR^itam = well honoured; puurva sambandhinam j~naatva = long-time, association, bearing in mind; puurvam braviimi te = firstly, I am telling, you.

"You personally invite Janaka the king of Mithila, a valiant one and an advocate of truth, honouring his well and duly bearing in mind that he is a long-time associate of our King Dasharatha, hence I am telling you in the first instance. [1-13-21,22]

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tathaa kaashii patim snigdham satatam priya vaadinam |
sad vR^ittam devasaMkaasham svayam eva anayasva ha || 1-13-23

23. tathaa = likewise; snigdham satatam priya vaadinam sat vR^ittam = one who is friendly, always, affection, desiring one, well behaved [cordial] one; kaashi patim = thus, Kaashi's, king; svayam eva aanyasva ha = personally, alone, be invited indeed.

"Thus that King of Kaashi who is always a friendly, affectionate and a cordial one, indeed he shall be invited by you personally. [1-13-23]

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tathaa kekaya raajaanam vR^iddham parama dhaarmikam |
shvashuram raaja siMhasya saputram tvam iha aanaya || 1-13-24

24.tathaa= likewise; vR^iddham parama dhaarmikam = elderly one, very, virtuous one; shvashuram = father-in-law; raaja simhasya = of king, the lion's [Dasharatha's]; kekaya raajaanam = Kekaya's king; sa putram tvam iha aanaya = along with his sons, you, here, invite.

"Likewise, King of Kekaya, an elderly, very virtuous, and also the father-in-law of our Lion-King Dasharatha, you personally invite him along with his sons. [1-13-24]

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a~Ngeshvaram maheShvaasam romapaadam su satkR^itam |
vayasyam raaja siMhasya saputram tam iha aanaya || 1-13-25

25. anga iiswaram = Anga kingdom's, lord; maha iSvaasam = great bow, user of; raaja simhasya = king, the Lion [Dasharatha]; vayasyam = friend of; yashashvinam = illustrious one; romapaadam su satkritam = Romapada, well, honoured, sam aanaya = well, be invited.

"Romapada, the lord of Anga kingdom and the user of great bow, let that illustrious one be invited well honoured, for he is the friend of our lion-king Dasharatha. [1-13-25]

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tathaa kosala raajaanam bhaanumaMtam susatkR^itam |
magadha adhipatim shuuram sarva shaastra vishaaradam || 1-13-26

26. tathaa kosala raajaanam = like that, Kosala's, king; bhaanumantam = Bhanumanta; susatkR^itam = well honoured; magadha adhipatim = Magadha, king; shuuram = brave one; sarva shaastra vishaaradam = in all scriptures, profound.

"Like that King of Kosala namely Bhanumanta, and the King of Magadha, a brave one and a profound one in all scriptural knowledge, let them be honoured well and be invited. [1-13-26]

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praaptij~nam paramodaaram susatkR^itam puruSharShabham |
raaj~naH shaasanam aadaaya chodayasva nR^iparShabhaan |
praaciinaan sindhu sauviiraan sauraaShThreyaam ca paarthivaan || 1-13-27

27. praaptij~nam = Praaptijna, the king of Magadha; parama udaaram = kind-hearted one; susatkR^itam = well honoured; puruSarSabham = king, the best; raaj~naH shaasanam aadaaya = king's, orders, taking; chodayasva = motivated by it; nR^iparSabhaan = kings, the best; praaciinaan = eastern regional kings; sindhu sauviiraan sauraaSThreyaam ca paarthivaan = Sindhu, Sauviira, Sauraastra, also, kings of.

"And Praaptijna, the king of Magadha, the kind-hearted and best one among kings, be well honoured and invited. Further, taking the orders of King Dasharatha and motivated by those orders, the kings of Sindhu, Sauviira and Sauraastra kingdoms may also be invited. [1-13-27]

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daakShiNaatyaan narendraam ca samastaan aanayasva ha |
santi snigdhaaH ca ye ca anye raajaanaH pR^ithivii tale || 1-13-28
taan aanaya yathaa kShipram sa anugaan saha baandhavaan |
etaan duutaiH mahaabhaagaiH aanayasva nR^ipa aaj~nyaa || 1-13-29

28, 29. daakSiNaatyaan narendraam ca = southern kingdoms', kings, also; samastaan aanayasva ha = all of them, be invited, verily; santi snigdhaaH cha ye cha anye = should there be, friends, other, those, also, other; raajaanaH pridhvii tale = kings, on earth's, surface; taan aanaya yathaa kshipram = them, be invited, as early as; sa anugaan saha baandhavaan = along with, followers, along with, their relatives; etaan mahaabhaagaiH duutaiH = them, highly illustrious ones, through envoys; aanayasva nR^ipa aaj~nyaa = invite them, by king's, orders.

"All of the kings of southern kingdoms be invited, and should there be any other friends and other friendly kings on the surface of the earth, they too shall be invited as early as possible with all their followers, relatives through highly illustrious envoys, of course with the orders of our king." Thus Sage Vashishta said to minister Sumantra. [1-13-28, 29]

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vasiShTha vaakyam tat shrutvaa sumaMtraH tvaritaH tadaa |
vyaadishat puruShaan tatra raaj~naam aanayane shubhaan || 1-13-30

30. tat vashiSTa vaakyam shrutvaa = that, Sage Vashishta's, words, on hearing; tadaa sumantraH tvaritaH = then, Sumantra, expeditiously; raajnanam tatra aanayane = kings, there [to their kingdom,] for inviting; shubhaan puruSaan vyaadishat = devout men - envoys, men, ordered.

On hearing that word of Vashishta, Sumantra expeditiously ordered devout envoys to invite all those kings to their kingdom. [1-13-30]

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svayam eva hi dharmaatmaa prayaato muni shaasanaat |
sumaMtraH tvarito bhuutvaa samaanetum mahaamatiH || 1-13-31

31. dharmaatmaa sumantraH = virtuous one, Sumantra; muni shaashanaat = by sage's, orders; twaritaH bhuutva = brisk, on becoming; samaanetum mahii kshitaH = to fetch, earth's, rulers; svayam eva prayayaataH = personally, thus, journeyed.

That virtuous Sumantra became brisk upon sage's words and personally journeyed to fetch all the rulers on the earth. [1-13-31]

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te ca karmaantikaaH sarve vasiShThaaya ca maharShaye |
sarvam nivedayanti sma yaj~ne yat upakalpitam || 1-13-32

32. te karma antikaaH sarve = those, artisans, all; yaj~ne yat upakalpitam = in ritual, works, that are accomplished; vashiSTyaa, maharSaye = to Vashishta, to the sage; sarvam nivedayanti sma = all details, have, reported.

All those artisans engaged in ritual works have reported Vashishta, the details of all those ritual works that are accomplished. [1-13-32]

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tataH priito dvija shreShThaH taan sarvaan munir abraviit |
avaj~nayaa na daatavyam kasya cit liilayaa api vaa || 1-13-33
avaj~nayaa kR^itam hanyaat daataaram na atra saMshayaH |

33, 34a. tataH priitaH dwija shreshtaH muniH = then, satisfied, Brahman, eminent, saint, Sage Vashishta; taan sarvaan abraviit = to, all of them, said; avaj~nayaa na daatavyam = with disrespect, not, to be endowed; kasya chit liilaya api vaa = to anyone, deceptively, also, either; avaj~nayaa kR^itam hanyaat daataaram = with disrespect, done [deeds,] will kill, donor; na atra samshayam = not, there, any doubt.

Then, that satisfied saint and eminent Brahman Vashishta, spoke this way to all of them, "nothing is to be endowed to anyone either with disrespect or deceptively, the deeds done with disrespect will kill the donor and there is no doubt about it." [1-13-33, 34a]

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tataH kaishcit aho raatraiH upayaataa mahiikShitaH || 1-13-34
bahuuni ratnaani aadaaya raaj~no dasharathasya ha |

34b, 35a. tataH = then; mahiikshitaH = kings; raaj~naH dasharathasya = for king, Dasharatha; bahuuni ratnaani aadaaya = very many, precious gems, taking; kaiH chit aho raatraiH upayaataa = in some, days and nights, arrived.

Then in some days and nights many kings have arrived taking precious gems with them as gifts for Dasharatha. [1-13-34b, 35a]

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tato vasiShThaH supriito raajaanam idam abraviit || 1-13-35
upayaataa nara vyaaghra raajaanaH tava shaasanaat |
mayaa api satkR^itaaH sarve yathaa arham raaja sattama || 1-13-36

35b, 36. tataH vashiSThaH su priitaH = then, Vashishta, well, pleased; raajaanam idam abraviit = to king, this, said; upayaataa nara vyaaghraH = arrived are, oh, manly tiger; raajanaH tava shaashanaat = kings, at your, behest; maya api satkR^itaaH sarve = by me, also, well honoured, all; yatha arham raaja sattamaaaH = as per their status, kings, the great.

Then the well pleased Sage Vashishta said this to King Dasharatha "the kings from distant kingdoms have arrived at your behest, oh, tigerly-man, and thse best kings are well honoured by me also as per their status. [1-13-35b, 36]

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yaj~niiyam ca kR^itam sarvam puruShaiH susamaahitaiH |
niryaatu ca bhavaan yaShTum yaj~na aayatanam antikaat || 1-13-37

37. yaj~niiyam sarvam cha kR^itam = ritual works, all, also, completed; su samaahitaiH puruSaiH = well, coalesced, by men; bhavaan yaSTum = you, to perform ritual; antikaan yajna aayatanam niryaatu = that is nearby, ritual hall, you may proceed.

"All the ritual works are also completed by the well coalescent men, thus you may start towards the ritual place that is nearby, to perform your ritual." Said Sage Vashishta to King Dasharatha. [1-13-37]

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sarvakaamaiH upahR^itaiH upetam vai samantataH |
draShTum arhasi raajendra manaseva vinirmitam || 1-13-38

38. raajendra = oh, best king; upahR^itaiH sarva kaamaiH = arranged around, with all, desirables [paraphernalia]; samantataH upetam vai = everywhere, available, indeed; manasaa vi nirmitam eva = by wish, built, as though; [this ritual hall]; draSTum arhasi = to see, apt of you.

"All the desirable paraphernalia is arranged and made available everywhere, and it is apt of you see ritual hall that is as though built by your mere wish. [1-13-38]

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tathaa vasiShTha vacanaat R^iShyashR^ingasya ca ubhayoH |
divase shubha nakshatre niryaato jagatiipatiH || 1-13-39

39. tathaa vashiSTa vachanaat = thus, by Vashishta's word [advise]; R^iSyasR^ingasya cha = of Rishyasringa, also; ubhayoH = by [the word of] both; shubhe divasa = on a good, day; nakshatre = star [of that day matching]; niryaataH = came forth; jagatii patiH = world's lord [King Dasharatha.]

Thus, on a good day while the ruling star of the day is favourable, King Dasharatha came forth towards the ritual hall according to the advice of both the sages Vashishta and Rishyasringa. [1-13-39]

In undertaking of auspicious works, Hindus watch out for date, day, and the star of the day, called tithi, vaara, nakshatra in accordance with astrological import. In addition to these three are two more yoga and karaNa , which when added together this becomes panchaanga, five-aspects of time, which are essential to verify before conducting any auspicious work.

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tato vasiShTha pramukhaaH sarva eva dvijottamaaH |
R^iShyashR^ingam puraskR^itya yaj~na karma aarabhan tadaa || 1-13-40

40. tataH vashiSTa pramukhaaH = then, Vashishta, and other eminent ones; sarva eva dwija uttamaaH = all, thus, Brahmans, eminent; R^isyasR^ingam puraskritya = Rishyasringa, keeping ahead of; yajna karma aarabhan tadaa = ritual, works, commenced, thus.

Then Sage Vashishta and other eminent Brahmans keeping the Sage Rishyasringa ahead of them entered the ritual hall, to commence the ritual works thus. [1-13-40]

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yaj~na vaaTam gataaH sarve yathaa shaastram yathaa vidhi |
shriimaan cha saha patniibhii raajaa diikshaam upaavishat || 1-13-41

41. sarve yaj~na vaaTa gataaH = all, to ritual hall, on going; yathaa shaastram yathaa vidhi = as per canons, as per custom; shriimaan raajaa = illustroious, king Dasharatha; saha patniibhii = with, his wives; diikshaam upaavishat = king, ritual vow, undertook.

When all have entered the ritual hall as per canons and custom, that glorious king Dasharatha along with his wives undertook vow of ritual. [1-13-41]

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iti shrii vaalmiki raamaayaNe baalakaaNDe trayodashaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 13th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Verse Locator for Book I : Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties : Chapter 13

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© 1999, Desiraju Hanumanta Rao [Revised: March, '04]

 

 

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