Bala Kanda, Sarga 11

भूय एव हि राजेन्द्र शृणु मे वचनं हितम्। यथा स देवप्रवर: कथायामेवमब्रवीत्।।1.11.1।।

bhūya eva hi rājendra śṛṇu me vacanaṃ hitam| yathā sa devapravara: kathāyāmevamabravīt

"Great king, I shall tell you the way Sanatkumara, great among the celestials further narrated the story. Listen to my words which may prove useful to you (said Sumantra)".

इक्ष्वाकूणां कुले जातो भविष्यति सुधार्मिक:। राजा दशरथो नाम्ना श्रीमान्सत्यप्रतिश्रव:।।1.11.2।।

ikṣvākūṇāṃ kule jāto bhaviṣyati sudhārmika:| rājā daśaratho nāmnā śrīmānsatyapratiśrava:

A highly righteous and auspicious king named Dasaratha, ever true to his word, will be born in the race of the Ikshvakus.

अङ्गराजेन सख्यं च तस्य राज्ञो भविष्यति। कन्या चास्य महाभागा शान्ता नाम भविष्यति।।1.11.3।।

aṅgarājena sakhyaṃ ca tasya rājño bhaviṣyati| kanyā cāsya mahābhāgā śāntā nāma bhaviṣyati

That king (Dasaratha) will develop friendship with the king of Anga. A highly virtuous daughter named Santa will be born to king of Anga.

पुत्रस्तु सोऽङ्गराजस्य रोमपाद इति श्रुत:। तं स राजा दशरथो गमिष्यति महायशा:।।1.11.4।।

putrastu so'ṅgarājasya romapāda iti śruta:| taṃ sa rājā daśaratho gamiṣyati mahāyaśā:

The famous king Dasaratha will approach the son of the king of Anga known as Romapada.

अनपत्योऽस्मि धर्मात्मन् शान्ताभर्ता मम क्रतुम्। आहरेत त्वयाज्ञप्तस्सन्तानार्थं कुलस्य च।।1.11.5।।

anapatyo'smi dharmātman śāntābhartā mama kratum| āhareta tvayājñaptassantānārthaṃ kulasya ca

O righteous king I am issueless. Let Rsyasringa, husband of Santa be ordered to perform the a sacrificial ceremony so that I shall be blessed with I son for the perpetuaion of my race.

श्रुत्वा राज्ञोऽथ तद्वाक्यं मनसा स विचिन्त्य च। प्रदास्यते पुत्रवन्तं शान्ताभर्तारमात्मवान्।।1.11.6।।

śrutvā rājño'tha tadvākyaṃ manasā sa vicintya ca| pradāsyate putravantaṃ śāntābhartāramātmavān

On hearing his words and deeply thinking over the matter, the prudent Romapada agreed to send, Santa's husband (Rsyasringa), capable of blessing him with a son.

प्रतिगृह्य च तं विप्रं स राजा विगतज्वर:। आहरिष्यति तं यज्ञं प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना।।1.11.7।।

pratigṛhya ca taṃ vipraṃ sa rājā vigatajvara:| āhariṣyati taṃ yajñaṃ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā

The king relieved of his suffering, was highly delighted. He would take the brahmin with him and perform the sacrificial ritual.

तं च राजा दशरथो यष्टुकाम: कृताञ्जलि:। ऋश्यशृङ्गं द्विजश्रेष्ठं वरयिष्यति धर्मवित्।। 1.11.8।। यज्ञार्थं प्रसवार्थं च स्वर्गार्थं च नरेश्वर:। लभते च स तं कामं द्विजमुख्याद्विशांपति:।।1.11.9।।

taṃ ca rājā daśaratho yaṣṭukāma: kṛtāñjali:| ṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ varayiṣyati dharmavit yajñārthaṃ prasavārthaṃ ca svargārthaṃ ca nareśvara:| labhate ca sa taṃ kāmaṃ dvijamukhyādviśāṃpati:

King Dasaratha, lord of the people, and knower of dharma and truth, desirous of performing the sacrifice would ask Rsyasringa, with folded palms for granting a boon to perform a sacrifice in order to obtain children and to attain heaven. The king will get those desires fulfilled through that chief brahmin.

तं च राजा दशरथो यष्टुकाम: कृताञ्जलि:। ऋश्यशृङ्गं द्विजश्रेष्ठं वरयिष्यति धर्मवित्।। 1.11.8।। यज्ञार्थं प्रसवार्थं च स्वर्गार्थं च नरेश्वर:। लभते च स तं कामं द्विजमुख्याद्विशांपति:।।1.11.9।।

taṃ ca rājā daśaratho yaṣṭukāma: kṛtāñjali:| ṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ varayiṣyati dharmavit yajñārthaṃ prasavārthaṃ ca svargārthaṃ ca nareśvara:| labhate ca sa taṃ kāmaṃ dvijamukhyādviśāṃpati:

King Dasaratha, lord of the people, and knower of dharma and truth, desirous of performing the sacrifice would ask Rsyasringa, with folded palms for granting a boon to perform a sacrifice in order to obtain children and to attain heaven. The king will get those desires fulfilled through that chief brahmin.

पुत्राश्चास्य भविष्यन्ति चत्वारोऽमितविक्रमा:। वंशप्रतिष्ठानकरास्सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुता:।।1.11.10।।

putrāścāsya bhaviṣyanti catvāro'mitavikramā:| vaṃśapratiṣṭhānakarāssarvalokeṣu viśrutā:

Four sons of immense prowess would be born to him bringing glory and fame to their dynasty. They would be renowned in all the worlds.

एवं स देवप्रवर: पूर्वं कथितवान्कथाम्। सनत्कुमारो भगवान्पुरा देवयुगे प्रभु:।।1.11.11।।

evaṃ sa devapravara: pūrvaṃ kathitavānkathām| sanatkumāro bhagavānpurā devayuge prabhu:

In early times of Kritayuga, this story was narrated by the holy and competent Sanatkumara, the great one among the devatas".

स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल तमानय सुसत्कृतम्। स्वयमेव महाराज गत्वा सबलवाहन:।।1.11.12।।

sa tvaṃ puruṣaśārdūla tamānaya susatkṛtam| svayameva mahārāja gatvā sabalavāhana:

"Greatest among men, O king, along with vehicles and retinue, you may go and bring him (Rsyasringa) personally with due respect".

अनुमान्य वसिष्ठं च सूतवाक्यं निशम्य च। सान्त:पुरस्सहामात्य: प्रययौ यत्र स द्विज:।।1.11.13।।

anumānya vasiṣṭhaṃ ca sūtavākyaṃ niśamya ca| sānta:purassahāmātya: prayayau yatra sa dvija:

Having heard the charioteer's words and having obtained the consent of Vasishta, he along with his queens and courtiers departed to the place where the brahmin (Rsyasringa) resided.

वनानि सरितश्चैव व्यतिक्रम्य शनैश्शनै:। अभिचक्राम तं देशं यत्र वै मुनिपुङ्गव:।।1.11.14।।

vanāni saritaścaiva vyatikramya śanaiśśanai:| abhicakrāma taṃ deśaṃ yatra vai munipuṅgava:

Crossing forests and rivers slowly, the king reached the place where that foremost of ascetics lived.

आसाद्य तं द्विजश्रेष्ठं रोमपादसमीपगम्। ऋषिपुत्रं ददर्शादौ दीप्यमानमिवानलम्।।1.11.15।।

āsādya taṃ dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ romapādasamīpagam| ṛṣiputraṃ dadarśādau dīpyamānamivānalam

He reached the spot and saw the son of the ascetic, the best of brahmins glowing like fire seated next to Romapada.

ततो राजा यथान्यायं पूजां चक्रे विशेषत:। सखित्वात्तस्य वै राज्ञ: प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना।।1.11.16।।

tato rājā yathānyāyaṃ pūjāṃ cakre viśeṣata:| sakhitvāttasya vai rājña: prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā

Then the king (Romapada), delighted at heart out of friendship with the king (Dasaratha), offered special hospitality with respectful salutations in accordance with propriety.

रोमपादेन चाख्यातमृषिपुत्राय धीमते। सख्यं सम्बन्धकं चैव तदा तं प्रत्यपूजयत्।।1.11.17।।

romapādena cākhyātamṛṣiputrāya dhīmate| sakhyaṃ sambandhakaṃ caiva tadā taṃ pratyapūjayat

Romapada explained his friendship and relationship with him (Dasaratha). Rsyasringa of great intellect in return felicitated Dasaratha.

एवं सुसत्कृतस्तेन सहोषित्वा नरर्षभ:। सप्ताष्टदिवसान्राजा राजानमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.11.18।।

evaṃ susatkṛtastena sahoṣitvā nararṣabha:| saptāṣṭadivasānrājā rājānamidamabravīt

In this manner, the great among men, the king wellhonoured by Romapada, spent seven or eight days there.And then spoke this to Romapada:

शान्ता तव सुता राजन् सह भर्त्रा विशांपते। मदीयनगरं यातु कार्यं हि महदुद्यतम्।।1.11.19।।

śāntā tava sutā rājan saha bhartrā viśāṃpate| madīyanagaraṃ yātu kāryaṃ hi mahadudyatam

O lord of people, O king, It has been decided to commence an important sacrificial rite. You may send your daughter Santa along with her husband to my city.

तथेति राजा संश्रुत्य गमनं तस्य धीमत:। उवाच वचनं विप्रं गच्छ त्वं सह भार्यया।।1.11.20।।

tatheti rājā saṃśrutya gamanaṃ tasya dhīmata:| uvāca vacanaṃ vipraṃ gaccha tvaṃ saha bhāryayā

Having agreed to the departure of the sage Romapada said, 'Be pleased to go (to Ayodhya) together with your wife'.

ऋषिपुत्र: प्रतिश्रुत्य तथेत्याह नृपं तदा। स नृपेणाभ्यनुज्ञात: प्रययौ सह भार्यया।।1.11.21।।

ṛṣiputra: pratiśrutya tathetyāha nṛpaṃ tadā| sa nṛpeṇābhyanujñāta: prayayau saha bhāryayā

The son of the sage assented to the king's command saying 'So be it'. And permitted by him, departed along with wife (for Ayodhya).

तावन्योन्याञ्जलिं कृत्वा स्नेहात्संश्लिष्य चोरसा। ननन्दतुर्दशरथो रोमपादश्च वीर्यवान्।।1.11.22।।

tāvanyonyāñjaliṃ kṛtvā snehātsaṃśliṣya corasā| nanandaturdaśaratho romapādaśca vīryavān

Dasaratha and Romapada, pleased with this, wished each other with folded palms and hugged each other with love.

ततस्सुहृदमापृच्छ्य प्रस्थितो रघुनन्दन:। पौरेभ्य: प्रेषयामास दूतान्वै शीघ्रगामिन:।।1.11.23।।

tatassuhṛdamāpṛcchya prasthito raghunandana:| paurebhya: preṣayāmāsa dūtānvai śīghragāmina:

Then king Dasaratha, took leave of his friend and set out. He despatched swiftfooted messengers to the citizens with the command.

क्रियतां नगरं सर्वं क्षिप्रमेव स्वलङ्कृतम्। धूपितं सिक्तसम्मृष्टं पताकाभिरलङ्कृतम्।।1.11.24।।

kriyatāṃ nagaraṃ sarvaṃ kṣiprameva svalaṅkṛtam| dhūpitaṃ siktasammṛṣṭaṃ patākābhiralaṅkṛtam

"Let the entire city be welldecorated, perfumed, sprinkled with water and cleaned with flags hoisted."

तत: प्रहृष्टा: पौरास्ते श्रुत्वा राजानमागतम्। तथा प्रचक्रुस्तत्सर्वं राज्ञा यत्प्रेषितं तदा ।।1.11.25।।

tata: prahṛṣṭā: paurāste śrutvā rājānamāgatam| tathā pracakrustatsarvaṃ rājñā yatpreṣitaṃ tadā

The people of the city having heard the king's arrival were overjoyed. They did everything as by the king.

ततस्स्वलङ्कृतं राजा नगरं प्रविवेश ह। शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषै: पुरस्कृत्य द्विजर्षभम्।।1.11.26।।

tatassvalaṅkṛtaṃ rājā nagaraṃ praviveśa ha| śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣai: puraskṛtya dvijarṣabham

Then the king entered that welldecorated city amidst blares of conches and the beating of drums, with the best of the brahmins (Rsyasringa) in the forefront.

तत: प्रमुदितास्सर्वे दृष्ट्वा तं नागरा द्विजम्। प्रवेश्यमानं सत्कृत्य नरेन्द्रेणेन्द्रकर्मणा।।1.11.27।।

tata: pramuditāssarve dṛṣṭvā taṃ nāgarā dvijam| praveśyamānaṃ satkṛtya narendreṇendrakarmaṇā

The citizens were delighted to behold that brahmin entering the city duly honoured by the king who was equivalent to Indra in valiance৷৷

अन्त:पुरं प्रवेश्यैनं पूजां कृत्वा च शास्त्रत:। कृतकृत्यं तदात्मानं मेने तस्योपवाहनात्।।1.11.28।।

anta:puraṃ praveśyainaṃ pūjāṃ kṛtvā ca śāstrata:| kṛtakṛtyaṃ tadātmānaṃ mene tasyopavāhanāt

He (king Dasaratha) took him in to the inner apartment and extended welcome. He thought that he has as enjoined by the sastras accomplished his objective by bringing him (Rsyasringa).

अन्त:पुरस्त्रियस्सर्वाश्शान्तां दृष्ट्वा तथागताम्। सह भर्त्रा विशालाक्षीं प्रीत्यानन्दमुपागमन्।।1.11.29।।

anta:purastriyassarvāśśāntāṃ dṛṣṭvā tathāgatām| saha bhartrā viśālākṣīṃ prītyānandamupāgaman

All the royal ladies, experienced immense delight when they saw the largeeyed Shanta arriving along with her husband in that manner.

पूज्यमाना च ताभिस्सा राज्ञा चैव विशेषत:। उवास तत्र सुखिता कञ्चित्कालं सहर्त्विजा।।1.11.30।।

pūjyamānā ca tābhissā rājñā caiva viśeṣata:| uvāsa tatra sukhitā kañcitkālaṃ sahartvijā

Honoured and worshipped by royal ladies, especially by king Dasaratha, Santa dwelt there for some time comfortably with the sage. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे एकादशस्सर्ग:।। Thus ends the eleventh sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.