Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 6

गते पुरोहिते रामः स्नातो नियतमानसः। सह पत्न्या विशालाक्ष्या नारायणमुपागमत्।।2.6.1।।

gate purohite rāmaḥ snāto niyatamānasaḥ| saha patnyā viśālākṣyā nārāyaṇamupāgamat

With the family priest (Vasistha) gone, Rama had his bath, and with his mind under control came to Lord Narayana along with his largeeyed consort, Sita. (with an intention to worship him)

प्रगृह्य शिरसा पात्रीं हविषो विधिवत्तदा। महते दैवतायाज्यं जुहाव ज्वलितेऽनले।।2.6.2।।

pragṛhya śirasā pātrīṃ haviṣo vidhivattadā| mahate daivatāyājyaṃ juhāva jvalite'nale

Then holding the vessel containing havis on his head, he offered the oblations of clarified butter into the sacred fire for Visnu in accordance with ritual practices.

शेषं च हविषस्तस्य प्राश्याशास्यात्मनः प्रियम्। ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं स्वास्तीर्णे कुशसंस्तरे।।2.6.3।। वाग्यत स्सह वैदेह्या भूत्वा नियतमानसः। श्रीमत्यायतने विष्णो श्शिश्ये नरवरात्मजः।।2.6.4।।

śeṣaṃ ca haviṣastasya prāśyāśāsyātmanaḥ priyam| dhyāyannārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ svāstīrṇe kuśasaṃstare vāgyata ssaha vaidehyā bhūtvā niyatamānasaḥ| śrīmatyāyatane viṣṇo śśiśye naravarātmajaḥ

The son of the king (Rama) partook the remainder of the havis seeking his own welfare. With a restrained mind and a vow of silence, he meditated upon Lord Narayana and slept along with Vaidehi on a wellspread bed of kusha grass in the auspicious temple of lord Visnu.

शेषं च हविषस्तस्य प्राश्याशास्यात्मनः प्रियम्। ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं स्वास्तीर्णे कुशसंस्तरे।।2.6.3।। वाग्यत स्सह वैदेह्या भूत्वा नियतमानसः। श्रीमत्यायतने विष्णो श्शिश्ये नरवरात्मजः।।2.6.4।।

śeṣaṃ ca haviṣastasya prāśyāśāsyātmanaḥ priyam| dhyāyannārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ svāstīrṇe kuśasaṃstare vāgyata ssaha vaidehyā bhūtvā niyatamānasaḥ| śrīmatyāyatane viṣṇo śśiśye naravarātmajaḥ

The son of the king (Rama) partook the remainder of the havis seeking his own welfare. With a restrained mind and a vow of silence, he meditated upon Lord Narayana and slept along with Vaidehi on a wellspread bed of kusha grass in the auspicious temple of lord Visnu.

एकयामावशिष्टायां रात्र्यां प्रतिविबुद्ध्य सः। अलङ्कारविधिं कृत्स्नं कारयामास वेश्मनः।।2.6.5।।

ekayāmāvaśiṣṭāyāṃ rātryāṃ prativibuddhya saḥ| alaṅkāravidhiṃ kṛtsnaṃ kārayāmāsa veśmanaḥ

He got up (Rama) with one yama (three hours) of the night still left, and had his entire residence decorated.

तत्र श्रृण्वन्सुखा वाच स्सूतमागधवन्दिनाम्। पूर्वां सध्यामुपासीनो जजाप यतमानसः।।2.6.6।।

tatra śrṛṇvansukhā vāca ssūtamāgadhavandinām| pūrvāṃ sadhyāmupāsīno jajāpa yatamānasaḥ

Then (in the last watch of the night) hearing the pleasant words of bards and panegyrists he attended to early morning rites and intoned Gayatri with a concentrated mind.

तुष्टाव प्रणतश्चैव शिरसा मधुसूदनम्। विमलक्षौमसंवीतो वाचयामास स द्विजान्।।2.6.7।।

tuṣṭāva praṇataścaiva śirasā madhusūdanam| vimalakṣaumasaṃvīto vācayāmāsa sa dvijān

Clad in spotless silk garments, he extoled Lord Madhusudana (Visnu) with his head bowed low. He listened to the purificatory mantras recited by brahmins.

तेषां पुण्याहघोषोऽथ गम्भीरमधुरस्तदा। अयोध्यां पूरयामास तूर्यघोषानुनादितः।।2.6.8।।

teṣāṃ puṇyāhaghoṣo'tha gambhīramadhurastadā| ayodhyāṃ pūrayāmāsa tūryaghoṣānunāditaḥ

And then the deep and sweet proclamations of 'This is an auspicious day' mingled with the sounds of trumpets reverberated (the city of) Ayodhya.

कृतोपवासं तु तदा वैदेह्या सह राघवम्। अयोध्यानिलयश्श्रुत्वा सर्वः प्रमुदितो जनः।।2.6.9।।

kṛtopavāsaṃ tu tadā vaidehyā saha rāghavam| ayodhyānilayaśśrutvā sarvaḥ pramudito janaḥ

The residents of Ayodhya were happy to hear that the scion of the Raghus (Rama) along with princess of Videha (Sita) had undertaken the fast.

ततः पौरजनस्सर्वश्श्रुत्वा रामाभिषेचनम्। प्रभातां रजनीं दृष्ट्वा चक्रे शोभयितुं पुरीम्।।2.6.10।।

tataḥ paurajanassarvaśśrutvā rāmābhiṣecanam| prabhātāṃ rajanīṃ dṛṣṭvā cakre śobhayituṃ purīm

Having heard about the coronation of Rama, all the citizens began to decorate the city soon after daybreak.

सिताभ्रशिखराभेषु देवतायतनेषु च। चतुष्पथेषु रथ्यासु चैत्येष्वट्टालकेषु च।।2.6.11।। नानापण्यसमृद्धेषु वणिजामापणेषु च। कुटुम्बिनां समृद्धेषु श्रीमत्सु भवनेषु च।।2.6.12।। सभासु चैव सर्वासु वृक्षेष्वालक्षितेषु च। ध्वजा स्समुच्छ्रिताश्चित्राः पताकाश्चाभवंस्तदा।।2.6.13।।

sitābhraśikharābheṣu devatāyataneṣu ca| catuṣpatheṣu rathyāsu caityeṣvaṭṭālakeṣu ca nānāpaṇyasamṛddheṣu vaṇijāmāpaṇeṣu ca| kuṭumbināṃ samṛddheṣu śrīmatsu bhavaneṣu ca sabhāsu caiva sarvāsu vṛkṣeṣvālakṣiteṣu ca| dhvajā ssamucchritāścitrāḥ patākāścābhavaṃstadā

Banners of varying colours and flags were raised on the temples looking resplendent like peaks wreathed by a mass of white clouds, at the crossroads, on the thoroughfares, on the trees standing on avenues, on the towers and stalls of the merchants abounding in various kinds of merchandise, on prosperous and graceful houses of householders, in all public halls and on trees looking tall from a distance.

सिताभ्रशिखराभेषु देवतायतनेषु च। चतुष्पथेषु रथ्यासु चैत्येष्वट्टालकेषु च।।2.6.11।। नानापण्यसमृद्धेषु वणिजामापणेषु च। कुटुम्बिनां समृद्धेषु श्रीमत्सु भवनेषु च।।2.6.12।। सभासु चैव सर्वासु वृक्षेष्वालक्षितेषु च। ध्वजा स्समुच्छ्रिताश्चित्राः पताकाश्चाभवंस्तदा।।2.6.13।।

sitābhraśikharābheṣu devatāyataneṣu ca| catuṣpatheṣu rathyāsu caityeṣvaṭṭālakeṣu ca nānāpaṇyasamṛddheṣu vaṇijāmāpaṇeṣu ca| kuṭumbināṃ samṛddheṣu śrīmatsu bhavaneṣu ca sabhāsu caiva sarvāsu vṛkṣeṣvālakṣiteṣu ca| dhvajā ssamucchritāścitrāḥ patākāścābhavaṃstadā

Banners of varying colours and flags were raised on the temples looking resplendent like peaks wreathed by a mass of white clouds, at the crossroads, on the thoroughfares, on the trees standing on avenues, on the towers and stalls of the merchants abounding in various kinds of merchandise, on prosperous and graceful houses of householders, in all public halls and on trees looking tall from a distance.

सिताभ्रशिखराभेषु देवतायतनेषु च। चतुष्पथेषु रथ्यासु चैत्येष्वट्टालकेषु च।।2.6.11।। नानापण्यसमृद्धेषु वणिजामापणेषु च। कुटुम्बिनां समृद्धेषु श्रीमत्सु भवनेषु च।।2.6.12।। सभासु चैव सर्वासु वृक्षेष्वालक्षितेषु च। ध्वजा स्समुच्छ्रिताश्चित्राः पताकाश्चाभवंस्तदा।।2.6.13।।

sitābhraśikharābheṣu devatāyataneṣu ca| catuṣpatheṣu rathyāsu caityeṣvaṭṭālakeṣu ca nānāpaṇyasamṛddheṣu vaṇijāmāpaṇeṣu ca| kuṭumbināṃ samṛddheṣu śrīmatsu bhavaneṣu ca sabhāsu caiva sarvāsu vṛkṣeṣvālakṣiteṣu ca| dhvajā ssamucchritāścitrāḥ patākāścābhavaṃstadā

Banners of varying colours and flags were raised on the temples looking resplendent like peaks wreathed by a mass of white clouds, at the crossroads, on the thoroughfares, on the trees standing on avenues, on the towers and stalls of the merchants abounding in various kinds of merchandise, on prosperous and graceful houses of householders, in all public halls and on trees looking tall from a distance.

नटनर्तकसङ्घानां गायकानां च गायताम्। मनः कर्णसुखा वाच श्शुशृवुश्च ततस्ततः।।2.6.14।।

naṭanartakasaṅghānāṃ gāyakānāṃ ca gāyatām| manaḥ karṇasukhā vāca śśuśṛvuśca tatastataḥ

Troupes of actors and dancers entertained the people with songs pleasing to the mind and ears and their utterances were heard here and there.

रामाभिषेकयुक्ताश्च कथाश्चक्रुर्मिथो जनाः। रामाभिषेके सम्प्राप्ते चत्वरेषु गृहेषु च।।2.6.15।।

rāmābhiṣekayuktāśca kathāścakrurmitho janāḥ| rāmābhiṣeke samprāpte catvareṣu gṛheṣu ca

As the time for Rama's coronation was approaching, men in public squares and in private houses talked with one another about the consecration of Rama.

बाला अपि क्रीडमाना गृहद्वारेषु सङ्घशः। रामाभिषवसंयुक्ताश्चक्रुरेवं मिथः कथाः।।2.6.16।।

bālā api krīḍamānā gṛhadvāreṣu saṅghaśaḥ| rāmābhiṣavasaṃyuktāścakrurevaṃ mithaḥ kathāḥ

Similarly children playing in groups in front of the houses also related to each other stories regarding the coronation of Rama.

कृतपुष्पोपहारश्च धूपगन्धाधिवासितः। राजमार्गः कृतः श्रीमान्पौरै रामाभिषेचने।।2.6.17।।

kṛtapuṣpopahāraśca dhūpagandhādhivāsitaḥ| rājamārgaḥ kṛtaḥ śrīmānpaurai rāmābhiṣecane

On the occasion of Rama's coronation the highway, strewn with flowers and rendered fragrant with the burning of incense by the citizens looked glorious.

प्रकाशकरणार्थं च निशागमनशङ्कया। दीपवृक्षां स्तथा चक्रुरनु रथ्यासु सर्वशः।।2.6.18।।

prakāśakaraṇārthaṃ ca niśāgamanaśaṅkayā| dīpavṛkṣāṃ stathā cakruranu rathyāsu sarvaśaḥ

In the same way lest night should fall (by the time the installation ceremony was completed), the streets were provided with lamps in the shape of trees to light them up.

अलङ्कारं पुरस्यैवं कृत्वा तत्पुरवासिनः। आकाङ्क्षमाणा रामस्य यौवराज्याभिषेचनम्।।2.6.19।। समेत्य सङ्घशस्सर्वे चत्वरेषु सभासु च। कथयन्तो मिथस्तत्र प्रशशंसुर्जनाधिपम्।।2.6.20।।

alaṅkāraṃ purasyaivaṃ kṛtvā tatpuravāsinaḥ| ākāṅkṣamāṇā rāmasya yauvarājyābhiṣecanam sametya saṅghaśassarve catvareṣu sabhāsu ca| kathayanto mithastatra praśaśaṃsurjanādhipam

Thus the residents of Ayodhya decorated the city and eagerly waited for Rama's cornonation as heirapparent. Gathered in groups at public squares and in the assembly halls they conversed among themselves about the event, praising Dasaratha, the lord among men.

अलङ्कारं पुरस्यैवं कृत्वा तत्पुरवासिनः। आकाङ्क्षमाणा रामस्य यौवराज्याभिषेचनम्।।2.6.19।। समेत्य सङ्घशस्सर्वे चत्वरेषु सभासु च। कथयन्तो मिथस्तत्र प्रशशंसुर्जनाधिपम्।।2.6.20।।

alaṅkāraṃ purasyaivaṃ kṛtvā tatpuravāsinaḥ| ākāṅkṣamāṇā rāmasya yauvarājyābhiṣecanam sametya saṅghaśassarve catvareṣu sabhāsu ca| kathayanto mithastatra praśaśaṃsurjanādhipam

Thus the residents of Ayodhya decorated the city and eagerly waited for Rama's cornonation as heirapparent. Gathered in groups at public squares and in the assembly halls they conversed among themselves about the event, praising Dasaratha, the lord among men.

अहो महात्मा राजाऽयमिक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दनः। ज्ञात्वा यो वृद्धमात्मानं रामं राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।2.6.21।।

aho mahātmā rājā'yamikṣvākukulanandanaḥ| jñātvā yo vṛddhamātmānaṃ rāmaṃ rājye'bhiṣekṣyati

Oh having realised that he himself has grown old the highsouled king Dasaratha the veritable delight to the Ikshvaku race, is going to coronate Rama in the kingdom.

सर्वेप्यनुगृहीता स्मो यन्नो रामो महीपतिः। चिराय भविता गोप्ता दृष्टलोकपरावरः।।2.6.22।।

sarvepyanugṛhītā smo yanno rāmo mahīpatiḥ| cirāya bhavitā goptā dṛṣṭalokaparāvaraḥ

All of us are fortunate indeed that Rama who knows the world's high and low shall be our king, protector for a long time.

अनुद्धतमनाः विद्वान्धर्मात्मा भ्रातृवत्सलः। यथा च भ्रातृषु स्निग्धस्तथाऽस्मास्वपि राघवः।।2.6.23।।

anuddhatamanāḥ vidvāndharmātmā bhrātṛvatsalaḥ| yathā ca bhrātṛṣu snigdhastathā'smāsvapi rāghavaḥ

This scion of the Raghus (Rama) is free from arrogance, is learned, righteous and affectionate towards his brothers as much as towards us.

चिरं जीवतु धर्मात्मा राजा दशरथोऽनघः। यत्प्रसादोनभिषिक्तं तु रामं द्रक्ष्यामहे वयम्।।2.6.24।।

ciraṃ jīvatu dharmātmā rājā daśaratho'naghaḥ| yatprasādonabhiṣiktaṃ tu rāmaṃ drakṣyāmahe vayam

May the virtuous and sinless king Dasaratha live long by whose grace we are beholding (going to behold) Rama's coronation.

एवंविधं कथयतां पौराणां शुश्रुवु स्तदा। दिग्भ्योपि श्रुतवृत्तान्ता: प्राप्ता जानपदा जनाः।।2.6.25।।

evaṃvidhaṃ kathayatāṃ paurāṇāṃ śuśruvu stadā| digbhyopi śrutavṛttāntā: prāptā jānapadā janāḥ

Having heard about the coronation of Rama, villagers arrived from all directions and listened to the citizens conversing in this manner.

ते तु दिग्भ्यः पुरीं प्राप्ता द्रष्टुं रामाभिषेचनम्। रामस्य पूरयामासुः पुरीं जानपदा जनाः।।2.6.26।।

te tu digbhyaḥ purīṃ prāptā draṣṭuṃ rāmābhiṣecanam| rāmasya pūrayāmāsuḥ purīṃ jānapadā janāḥ

The city was filled with villagers coming from different directions to behold Rama's coronation.

जनौघैस्तैर्विसर्पद्भिः शुश्रुवे तत्र निस्वनः। पर्वसूदीर्णवेगस्य सागरस्येव निस्वनः।।2.6.27।।

janaughaistairvisarpadbhiḥ śuśruve tatra nisvanaḥ| parvasūdīrṇavegasya sāgarasyeva nisvanaḥ

The multitudes of men moving to and fro gave rise to a noise like the roar of the ocean enhanced by the violent speed (of the wind) on the full and new moon days.

ततस्तदिन्द्रक्षयसन्निभं पुरं दिदृक्षुभिर्जानपदैरुपागतैः। समन्तत स्सस्वनमाकुलं बभौ समुद्रयादोभिरिवार्णवोदकम्।।2.6.28।।

tatastadindrakṣayasannibhaṃ puraṃ didṛkṣubhirjānapadairupāgataiḥ| samantata ssasvanamākulaṃ babhau samudrayādobhirivārṇavodakam

The city (of Ayodhya), resembling the abode of Indra, (Amaravati) crowded with villagers from all over wishing to witness it (the coronation of Rama), grew noisy and sparkled like the water of the ocean teeming with aquatic animals. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे षष्ठस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the sixth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.