Summary
Dasaratha mentions his desire about coronation [the act or occasion of crowning] of Rama before the assembly of people. All people in the assembly unanimously and delightfully accept it while describing all of Rama's virtues.
Chapter [Sarga] 2 in Detail
tatah parishhadam sarvaamaamantrya vasudhaadhipah |
hitamuddharshhanam chaivamuvaacha prathitam vachah || 2-2-1
Addressing invited gathering in the court, Dasaratha spoke in friendly, pleasing and clear terms.
dundhubhisvanakalpena gambhiirenaanunaadinaa |
svarena mahataa raajaa jiimuuta iva naadayan || 2-2-2
raajalakshanayuktena kaantenaanupamena cha |
uvaacha rasayuktena svarena nripatirnripaan || 2-2-3
In a loud voice resembling that of a kettle-drum, resounding the air like a thundering cloud and in a sweet, splendid and incomparable voice endowed with the characteristics of a king's voice, King Dasaratha the lord of men spoke to the kings as follows:
viditam bhavataametadyathaa me raajyamuttamam |
puurvakairmama raajendraissutavat paripaalitam || 2-2-4
"It is well known that my excellent kingdom was ruled by my ancestral kings as if it were their son."
soahamikshhvaakubhih sarvairnarendraih paripaalitam |
shreyasaa yoktukaamo.asmi sukhaarhamakhilam jagat || 2-2-5
"I have a desire that this entire land which was protected by the descendents of Ikshvaku dynasty be bestowed with goodness and the resultant happiness."
mayaapyaacharitam puurvaih panthaanamanugachchhataa |
prajaa nityamanidrena yathaashaktyabhirakshitaah || 2-2-6
"Following the path established by my ancestors, I have always protected my people with alertness and to the best of my ability."
idam shariiram kritsnasya lokasya charataa hitam |
paandurasyaatapatrasya chchhaayaayaam jaritam mayaa || 2-2-7
"In conducting the kingdom for benefit of the entire people, my body became impaired under shade of the white umbrella."
praapya varshhasahasraani bahuu nyaayuumshhi jiivatah |
jiirnasyaasya shariirasya vishraanti mabhirochaye || 2-2-8
"This body has been living for many thousands of years. Hence I desire rest."
raajaprabhaavajushhtaam hi durvahaamajitendriyaih |
parishraanto.asmi lokasya gurviim dharmadhuram vahan || 2-2-9
"This burden of worldly righteousness is very heavy. This can be sustained only by royal power with qualities like courage and valor. A person who has no control of senses can not carry this burden. I have become tired while carrying this burden of righteousness. "
soaham vishramamichchhaami putram kritvaa prajaahite |
sannikrishhtaanimaan sarvaananumaanya dvijarshhabhaan || 2-2-10
"I desire to take rest, entrusting the rule to my son for the benefit of the people, after obtaining consent from all those best Brahmans who are close to me."
anujaato hi maam sarvairgunairjyeshhtho mamaatmajah |
purandarasamo viirye raamah parapuramjayah || 2-2-11
"My eldest son Rama is equal to Devendra in valor [personal bravery]. He is the conqueror of cities of enemies. He is equal to me in all qualities."
tam chandramiva pushhyena yuktam dharmabhritaam varam |
yauvaraajye niyoktaasmi priitah purushhapugavam || 2-2-12
"Joyfully, I shall appoint Rama, who shines like the moon together with Pushya star, who is the best among the protectors of righteousness and who is an excellent man, to the realm of prince."
anuruupah sa vai naatho lakshmiivaan lakshmanaagrajah |
trailokyamapi naathena yena syaannaathavattaram || 2-2-13
"If Rama becomes the lord, the three worlds also will have the best master. He is a glorious man. That Rama is the only fittest lord for the kingdom."
anena shreyasaa sadyah samyojyaivamimaam mahiim |
gataklesho bhavishhyaami sute tasminniveshya vai || 2-2-14
"By entrusting this kingdom to Rama, I shall be thus doing an immediate good and shall be devoid [deserted] of difficulties."
yadiidam meanuruupaardham mayaa saadhu sumantritam |
bhavanto me.anumanyantaam katham vaa karavaanyaham || 2-2-15
"I am telling this after lot of thinking. Give consent to me if you feel this to be good and befitting. How else shall I do it?"
yadyapyeshhaa mama priitirhitamanyadvichintyataam |
anyaa madyasthachintaa hi vimardaabhyadhikodayaa || 2-2-16
"This is my desire. Yet, let there be thinking on any other beneficial way. Thinking by impartial neutral people will be distinctive [having or giving style or distinction] and well developed through grinding [sharpened by friction] of opposing views."
iti brivantam muditaah pratyanandan nripaa nripam |
vrishhtimantam mahaamegham nardanta iva barhinah || 2-2-17
Those delighted kings complimented king Dasaratha so speaking with a loud applause as the peacocks cry in delight when they see the raining great cloud.
snigdho.anunaadii samjagye tatra harshhasamiiritah |
janaughodghushhtasannaado vimaanam kampayanniva || 2-2-18
That building appeared trembling by the sweet and reverberating sound made by the gathering of people there with their fond uproar.
tasya dharmaarthavidushho bhaavamaagyaaya sarvashah |
braahmanaa janamukhyaashcha paurajaanapadaih saha || 2-2-19
sametya mantrayitvaa tu samataagatabuddhayah |
uuchushcha manasaa gyaatvaa vriddham dasharatham nripam || 2-2-20
After understanding the opinion of King Dasaratha, who knew the holy and worldly matters, the Brahmans, important people, urban and rural citizens came to a consensus after discussing together and told the aged king as follows.
anekavarshhasaahasro vriddhasttvamasi paarthiva |
sa raamam yuvaraajaanamabhishhinchasva paarthivam || 2-2-21
"Oh king! You are an elderly person with thousands of years of age. Hence, inaugurate [to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies] Rama as the ruling prince."
ichchhaamo hi mahaabaahum raghuviiram mahaabalam |
gajena mahataa yaantam raamam chhatraavritaananam || 2-2-22
"All of us want to see Rama, with long arms, the hero with great might born in the clan of Raghu, his face protected by a white umbrella, moving on a great elephant."
iti tadvachanam shrutvaa raajaa teshhaam manahpriyam |
ajaananniva jigyaasuridam vachanamabraviit || 2-2-23
King Dasaratha, after hearing their words, spoke as follows as though he did not know their mind earlier and sought to know their true intention.
shrutvaiva vachanam yanme raaghavam patimichchhatha |
raajaanah samshayo.ayam me tadidam bruuta tattvatah || 2-2-24
"Oh kings, I have a doubt as to why you want Raghava to be the king immediately after hearing my words. Inform your real opinion in this matter."
katham nu mayi dharmena prithiviimanushaasati |
bhavanto drashhtumichchhanti yuvaraajam mamaatmajam || 2-2-25
"Why do you desire to see my son as the prince, when I am ruling this earth with righteousness?"
te tamuuchurmahaatmaanam paurajaanapadaih saha |
bahavo nripa kalyaanaa gunaah putrasya santi te || 2-2-26
Those kings together with urban and rural citizens after hearing those words spoke to the great soul Dasaratha as follows: "Oh king! Your son Rama has many auspicious virtues".
gunaan gunavato deva devakalpasya dhiimatah |
priyaanaanandadaan kritsnaan pravakshyaamo.adyataan shrinu || 2-2-27
"Oh king! We shall tell you now the various virtues of your wise son, listen to them. His qualities are equal to those of celestials. They are liked by all. They give happiness to all."
divyairgunaih shakrasamo raamah satyaparaakramah |
ikshvaakubhyo.api sarvebhyo hyatirikto vishaampate || 2-2-28
"Oh king! Rama is equal to Devendra in heavenly qualities. He has true valor [personal bravery]. He is greater than all the kings born in Ikshvaku clan."
raamah satpurushho loke satyadharmaparaayanah |
saakshhaadraamaadvinirvritto dharmashchaapi shriyaa saha || 2-2-29
"Rama is the world renowned gentleman. He is keenly interested in truth and righteousness. Only Rama can make both righteousness and wealth combine without separation."
prajaasukhatve chandrasya vasudhaayaah kshhamaagunaih |
budhyaa brihaspatestulyo viirye saakshaachchhachiipateh || 2-2-30
"He is equal to moon in making the people happy; equal to the earth in the quality of forgiveness; equal to Brihaspati in wisdom and verily to Devendra in valor."
dharmajagyah satyasandhashcha shiilavaananasuuyakah |
kshaantah saantvayitaa shlakshhnah kritagyo vijitendriyah || 2-2-31
"Rama knows all righteousness. He is true to his word and has good character. He has no envy [desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another]. He has patience. He consoles [to alleviate the grief or comfort] those who are in troubles. He speaks good words. He has gratitude [the state of being grateful]. He keeps senses under control."
mridushcha sthirachittashcha sadaa bhavyoanasuuyakah |
priyavaadii cha bhuutaanaam satyavaadii cha raaghavah || 2-2-32
bahushrutaanaam vriddhaanaam braahmanaanaamupaasitaa |
tenaa syehaatulaa kiirtiryashastejashcha vardhate || 2-2-33
"Rama is soft natured; has stable mind, always an auspicious man, and has no envy. He speaks truthful and loving words to all living beings. He worships aged Brahmans endued [provided] with the knowledge of various sciences. By that, his name, glory and splendor [brilliancy] are growing in this world."
devaasuramanushhyaanaam sarvaastreshhu vishaaradah |
samyagvidyaavratasnaato yathavatsaagavedavit || 2-2-34
"He is skilled in the use of various weapons known to celestials, demons and men. He has duly concluded his vow of studying the various sciences and has systematically learnt all the Vedas along with its branches."
gaandharve cha bhuvi shreshhtho babhuuva bharataagrajah |
kalyaanaabhijanah saadhuradiinaatmaa mahaamatih || 2-2-35
"Rama is best in the world in the art of music. He has best relatives. He is gentle. He is not weak in mind. He has great wisdom."
dvijairabhiviniitashcha shreshhthairdharmaarthanaipunaih |
yadaa vrajati samgraamam graamaarthe nagarasya vaa || 2-2-36
gatvaa saumitrisahito naavijitya nivartate |
"Rama was trained in all matters from the best of Brahmans skilled in the art of righteousness and in the science of political economy. If it is necessary to go to a battle to protect a village or a city, Rama goes with Lakshmana and returns home only after obtaining victory."
samgraamaatpunaraagamya kujarena rathena vaa || 2-2-37
pauraan svajanavannityam kushalam pariprichchhati |
putreshhvagnishhu daareshhu preshhyashishhyaganeshhu cha || 2-2-38
nikhilenaanupuurvyaachcha pitaa putraanivaurasaan |
"After returning from battle, Rama goes to citizens on an elephant or a chariot and inquires about their well being as though they were his own kinsmen [relative], like a father does to his sons. He asks about their wives and children, about the sacred fires, about their servants and students, always completely as per the due order."
shushruushhante cha vah shishhyaah kachitkarmasu damshitaah || 2-2-39
iti nah purushhavyaaghrah sadaa raamo.abhibhaashhate |
"Rama the best among men always asks us 'Are your disciples serving you by keenly performing their actions?' "
vyasaneshhu manushhyaanaam bhrisham bhavati duhkhitah || 2-2-40
utsaveshhu cha sarveshhu piteva paritushhyati |
"Rama feels very sad towards afflictions [the cause of persistent pain or distress] of men; and feels delighted in all functions celebrated by people on the occasions of child birth and the like, just as their own father does."
satyavaadii maheshhvaaso vriddhasevii jitendriyah || 2-2-41
smitapuurvaabhibhaashhii cha dharmam sarvaatmanaa shritah |
"Rama speaks only truth. He is a great hero. He serves elders. He kept the senses under control. Rama, who talks smilingly, protects righteousness in all ways."
samyagyoktaa shreyasaam cha na vigrihya kathaaruchih || 2-2-42
uttarottarayuktau cha vaktaa vaachaspatiryathaa |
"Rama duly procures [achieves] beneficent deeds. He is not interested in wrangling talks. He is an orator [one distinguished for skill and power as a public speaker] like Brihaspati by his replies and rejoinders [answers]."
subhruuraayatataamraakshhassaakshhaadvishhnuriva svayam || 2-2-43
raamo lokaabhiraamo.ayam shauryaviiryaparaakramaih |
"Rama, who enchants the world, has beautiful eyebrows. He has red and broad eyes. He is absolutely like the God Vishnu himself in strength, heroism and valor [personal bravery]."
prajaapaalanatattvagyo na raagopahatendriyah || 2-2-44
shaktastrailokyamapyeko bhoktum kim nu mahiimimaam |
"He knew the ins and outs of public administration. His senses are not afflicted by passion [emotions]. He is capable of administering not only earth, but also the three worlds."
naaasya krodhah prasaadashcha nirartho.asti kadaachana || 2-2-45
hantyeva niyamaadvadhyaanavadhye cha na kupyati |
"Rama's anger or mercy is not arbitrary [depending on individual discretion] at any time. He kills those who are to be slain as per rules. He is not angered at the innocent."
yunaktyarthaih prahrishhtashcha tamasau yatra tushhyati || 2-2-46
shaantaih sarvaprajaakaantaih priitisamjananairnrinaam |
gunairviruruche raamo diiptah suurya ivaamshubhih || 2-2-47
"He gladly bestows wealth to those with whom he is satisfied. As the sun shines by his rays, Rama shines by his qualities that are peaceful, which are enchanting [charming] and delightful to men."
tamevamgunasampannam raamam satyaparaakramam |
lokapaalopamam naathamakaamayata medinii || 2-2-48
"All people desire Rama, who is endowed [to provide with something freely or naturally] with this wealth of qualities, who has true valor [personal bravery], who is equal to presiding [to exercise guidance, direction, or control] deities like Devendra, to be their lord."
vatsah shreyasi jaataste dishhtyaasau tava raaghava |
dishhtyaa putragunairyukto maariicha iva kaashyapah || 2-2-49
"Oh king Dasaratha! Rama is born to you as a son, because of your good fortune, for the welfare of this world. He has all the virtues befitting [suitable] of a son, like Kasyapa, the son of Marichi."
balamaarogyamaayushcha raamasya viditaatmanah |
devaasuramanushhyeshhu sagandharvorageshhu cha || 2-2-50
aashamsate janah sarvo raashhtre puravare tathaa |
aabhyantarashcha baahyashcha paurajaanapado janah || 2-2-51
"All people in the state including those in the capital as well as those in the nearby and in the far off places, pray for long life, health and strength of Rama of reputed nature."
striyo vriddhaastarunyashcha saayam praatah samaahitaah |
sarvaan devaan namasyanti raamasyaarthe yashasvinah || 2-2-52
"Both young and aged women are praying with a stable mind each morning and evening to all celestials, for the benefit of renowned Rama."
teshhaamaayaachitam deva tvatprasaadaa tsamriddhyataam |
raamamindiivarashyaamam sarvashatrunibarhanam || 2-2-53
pashyaamo yauvaraajyastham tava raajottamaa.aatmajam |
"Oh best of kings, Dasaratha! We shall see Rama adorned with princely kingdom. Your son Rama has the complexion of a black lotus flower and annihilates all his enemies. Let the wish of the people be fulfilled by your grace."
tam devadevopamamaatmajam te |
sarvasya lokasya hite nivishhtam |
hitaaya nah kshhipramudaarajushhtam |
mudaabhishhektum varada tva marhasi || 2-2-54
"Oh fulfiller of people's desires, Dasaratha! For our benefit, you gladly and immediately inaugurate [to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies] your son Rama, who is equal to Vishnu, who is interested in the welfare of the entire world and who is possessing [own] the best of virtues [a commendable quality]."
|| iti shriimadraamaayane ayodhyakaande dvitiiya sargah ||
Thus completes 2nd Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate