Bala Kanda, Sarga 13

पुन: प्राप्ते वसन्ते तु पूर्णस्संवत्सरोऽभवत्। प्रसवार्थं गतो यष्टुं हयमेधेन वीर्यवान्।।1.13.1।।

puna: prāpte vasante tu pūrṇassaṃvatsaro'bhavat| prasavārthaṃ gato yaṣṭuṃ hayamedhena vīryavān

After completion of one year when spring returned, the valiant king (Dasaratha) entered the sacrificial pavilion to worship celestial beings for begetting sons.

अभिवाद्य वसिष्ठं च न्यायत: परिपूज्य च। अब्रवीत्प्रश्रितं वाक्यं प्रसवार्थं द्विजोत्तमम्।।1.13.2।।

abhivādya vasiṣṭhaṃ ca nyāyata: paripūjya ca| abravītpraśritaṃ vākyaṃ prasavārthaṃ dvijottamam

After offering humble salutations and worshipping sage Vasishta in accordance with prescribed ordinance for begetting children, he obediently said:

यज्ञो मे क्रियतां ब्रह्मन्यथोक्तं मुनिपुङ्गव। यथा न विघ्न: क्रियते यज्ञाङ्गेषु विधीयताम्।।1.13.3।।

yajño me kriyatāṃ brahmanyathoktaṃ munipuṅgava| yathā na vighna: kriyate yajñāṅgeṣu vidhīyatām

"O foremost among ascetics O brahman, may the sacrifice be performed according to tradition in such a manner that the sacrifice is performed unhindered.

भवान् स्निग्धस्सुहृन्मह्यं गुरुश्च परमो महान्। ओढव्यो भवता चैव भारो यज्ञस्य चोद्यत:।।1.13.4।।

bhavān snigdhassuhṛnmahyaṃ guruśca paramo mahān| oḍhavyo bhavatā caiva bhāro yajñasya codyata:

You are an affectionate friend and most reverential spiritual guide to me. The burden of performing the sacrifice which has since commenced shall be borne by you".

तथेति च स राजानमब्रवीद्द्विजसत्तमः। करिष्ये सर्वमेवैतद्भवता यत्समर्थितम्।।1.13.5।।

tatheti ca sa rājānamabravīddvijasattamaḥ| kariṣye sarvamevaitadbhavatā yatsamarthitam

The great among brahmins answered him saying "I shall do everything as proposed by you".

ततोऽब्रवीद्विजान्वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितान्। स्थापत्ये निष्ठितांश्चैव वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान्।।1.13.6।। कर्मान्तिकान् शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् खनकानपि। गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव तथैव नटनर्तकान्।।1.13.7।। तथा शुचीन्शास्त्रविद: पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान्। यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात्।।1.13.8।। इष्टका बहु साहस्राश्शीघ्रमानीयतामिति। 0 उपकार्या: क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विता:।।1.13.9।।

tato'bravīdvijānvṛddhānyajñakarmasu niṣṭhitān| sthāpatye niṣṭhitāṃścaiva vṛddhānparamadhārmikān karmāntikān śilpakarānvardhakīn khanakānapi| gaṇakānśilpinaścaiva tathaiva naṭanartakān tathā śucīnśāstravida: puruṣān subahuśrutān| yajñakarma samīhantāṃ bhavanto rājaśāsanāt iṣṭakā bahu sāhasrāśśīghramānīyatāmiti| 0 upakāryā: kriyantāṃ ca rājñāṃ bahuguṇānvitā:

Thereafter Vasishta summoned those brahmins who are experienced in the sacrificerelated activities venerable and righteous architects skilled workers brick makers, carpenters, diggers, artisans, account keepers, dancers and actors, men versed in scriptures and honest, wellinformed people and addressed them saying, "In accordance with the king's command let the work of the sacrificial ceremony be inauguarated. Let thousands of bricks be brought. Let temporary residential buildings be erected with all the comforts to accommodate royal guests."

ततोऽब्रवीद्विजान्वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितान्। स्थापत्ये निष्ठितांश्चैव वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान्।।1.13.6।। कर्मान्तिकान् शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् खनकानपि। गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव तथैव नटनर्तकान्।।1.13.7।। तथा शुचीन्शास्त्रविद: पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान्। यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात्।।1.13.8।। इष्टका बहु साहस्राश्शीघ्रमानीयतामिति। 0 उपकार्या: क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विता:।।1.13.9।।

tato'bravīdvijānvṛddhānyajñakarmasu niṣṭhitān| sthāpatye niṣṭhitāṃścaiva vṛddhānparamadhārmikān karmāntikān śilpakarānvardhakīn khanakānapi| gaṇakānśilpinaścaiva tathaiva naṭanartakān tathā śucīnśāstravida: puruṣān subahuśrutān| yajñakarma samīhantāṃ bhavanto rājaśāsanāt iṣṭakā bahu sāhasrāśśīghramānīyatāmiti| 0 upakāryā: kriyantāṃ ca rājñāṃ bahuguṇānvitā:

Thereafter Vasishta summoned those brahmins who are experienced in the sacrificerelated activities venerable and righteous architects skilled workers brick makers, carpenters, diggers, artisans, account keepers, dancers and actors, men versed in scriptures and honest, wellinformed people and addressed them saying, "In accordance with the king's command let the work of the sacrificial ceremony be inauguarated. Let thousands of bricks be brought. Let temporary residential buildings be erected with all the comforts to accommodate royal guests."

ततोऽब्रवीद्विजान्वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितान्। स्थापत्ये निष्ठितांश्चैव वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान्।।1.13.6।। कर्मान्तिकान् शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् खनकानपि। गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव तथैव नटनर्तकान्।।1.13.7।। तथा शुचीन्शास्त्रविद: पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान्। यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात्।।1.13.8।। इष्टका बहु साहस्राश्शीघ्रमानीयतामिति। 0 उपकार्या: क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विता:।।1.13.9।।

tato'bravīdvijānvṛddhānyajñakarmasu niṣṭhitān| sthāpatye niṣṭhitāṃścaiva vṛddhānparamadhārmikān karmāntikān śilpakarānvardhakīn khanakānapi| gaṇakānśilpinaścaiva tathaiva naṭanartakān tathā śucīnśāstravida: puruṣān subahuśrutān| yajñakarma samīhantāṃ bhavanto rājaśāsanāt iṣṭakā bahu sāhasrāśśīghramānīyatāmiti| 0 upakāryā: kriyantāṃ ca rājñāṃ bahuguṇānvitā:

Thereafter Vasishta summoned those brahmins who are experienced in the sacrificerelated activities venerable and righteous architects skilled workers brick makers, carpenters, diggers, artisans, account keepers, dancers and actors, men versed in scriptures and honest, wellinformed people and addressed them saying, "In accordance with the king's command let the work of the sacrificial ceremony be inauguarated. Let thousands of bricks be brought. Let temporary residential buildings be erected with all the comforts to accommodate royal guests."

ततोऽब्रवीद्विजान्वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितान्। स्थापत्ये निष्ठितांश्चैव वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान्।।1.13.6।। कर्मान्तिकान् शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् खनकानपि। गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव तथैव नटनर्तकान्।।1.13.7।। तथा शुचीन्शास्त्रविद: पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान्। यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात्।।1.13.8।। इष्टका बहु साहस्राश्शीघ्रमानीयतामिति। 0 उपकार्या: क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विता:।।1.13.9।।

tato'bravīdvijānvṛddhānyajñakarmasu niṣṭhitān| sthāpatye niṣṭhitāṃścaiva vṛddhānparamadhārmikān karmāntikān śilpakarānvardhakīn khanakānapi| gaṇakānśilpinaścaiva tathaiva naṭanartakān tathā śucīnśāstravida: puruṣān subahuśrutān| yajñakarma samīhantāṃ bhavanto rājaśāsanāt iṣṭakā bahu sāhasrāśśīghramānīyatāmiti| 0 upakāryā: kriyantāṃ ca rājñāṃ bahuguṇānvitā:

Thereafter Vasishta summoned those brahmins who are experienced in the sacrificerelated activities venerable and righteous architects skilled workers brick makers, carpenters, diggers, artisans, account keepers, dancers and actors, men versed in scriptures and honest, wellinformed people and addressed them saying, "In accordance with the king's command let the work of the sacrificial ceremony be inauguarated. Let thousands of bricks be brought. Let temporary residential buildings be erected with all the comforts to accommodate royal guests."

ब्राह्मणावसथाश्चैव कर्तव्याश्शतशश्शुभा:। भक्ष्यान्नपानैर्बहुभिस्समुपेतास्सुनिष्ठिता:।।1.13.10।।

brāhmaṇāvasathāścaiva kartavyāśśataśaśśubhā:| bhakṣyānnapānairbahubhissamupetāssuniṣṭhitā:

Let auspicious residences for the brahmins be prepared in their hundreds, well arranged and furnished with abundant food and drink.

तथा पौरजनस्यापि कर्तव्या बहुविस्तरा:। आवासा बहुभक्ष्या वै सर्वकामैरुपस्थिता:।।1.13.11।।

tathā paurajanasyāpi kartavyā bahuvistarā:| āvāsā bahubhakṣyā vai sarvakāmairupasthitā:

In the same manner let widely spread residential accommodation be furnished with many items of food and all kinds of entertainment be provided for people from other lands.

तथा जानपदस्यापि जनस्य बहुशोभनम्। दातव्यमन्नं विधिवत्सत्कृत्य न तु लीलया।।1.13.12।।

tathā jānapadasyāpi janasya bahuśobhanam| dātavyamannaṃ vidhivatsatkṛtya na tu līlayā

In the same way people coming from rural areas also should be duly, not casualy treated with respect.

सर्वे वर्णा यथा पूजां प्राप्नुवन्ति सुसत्कृता:। न चावज्ञा प्रयोक्तव्या कामक्रोधवशादपि।।1.13.13।।

sarve varṇā yathā pūjāṃ prāpnuvanti susatkṛtā:| na cāvajñā prayoktavyā kāmakrodhavaśādapi

People from all castes should be welltreated with respect. There should be no insult to any one through lust on greed on anger.

यज्ञकर्मसु ये व्यग्रा: पुरुषाश्शिल्पिनस्तथा। तेषामपि विशेषेण पूजा कार्या यथाक्रमम्।।1.13.14।। ते च स्युस्सम्भृतास्सर्वे वसुभिर्भोजनेन च।

yajñakarmasu ye vyagrā: puruṣāśśilpinastathā| teṣāmapi viśeṣeṇa pūjā kāryā yathākramam te ca syussambhṛtāssarve vasubhirbhojanena ca|

The people deeply immersed in performing sacrificerelated activities and sculptors be specially honoured according to their nature of work. All of them should be satisfied with money and food.

यथा सर्वं सुविहितं न किञ्चित्परिहीयते।।1.13.15।। तथा भवन्त: कुर्वन्तु प्रीतिस्निग्धेन चेतसा।

yathā sarvaṃ suvihitaṃ na kiñcitparihīyate tathā bhavanta: kurvantu prītisnigdhena cetasā|

Every thing should be wellmanaged. In whatever manner you do, not even the smallest things be left out. Carry out the work with love and affection in your hearts".

ततस्सर्वे समागम्य वसिष्ठमिदमब्रुवन्।।1.13.16।। यथोक्तं तत्सुविहितं न किञ्चित्परिहीयते। यथोक्तं तत्करिष्यामो न किञ्चित्परिहास्यते।।1.13.17।।

tatassarve samāgamya vasiṣṭhamidamabruvan yathoktaṃ tatsuvihitaṃ na kiñcitparihīyate| yathoktaṃ tatkariṣyāmo na kiñcitparihāsyate

Then all of them approached Vasishta and said, "everything has been wellarranged in accordance with your instruction. There is no deficiency. Everything will be done as instructed by you without leaving out anything."

ततस्सर्वे समागम्य वसिष्ठमिदमब्रुवन्।।1.13.16।। यथोक्तं तत्सुविहितं न किञ्चित्परिहीयते। यथोक्तं तत्करिष्यामो न किञ्चित्परिहास्यते।।1.13.17।।

tatassarve samāgamya vasiṣṭhamidamabruvan yathoktaṃ tatsuvihitaṃ na kiñcitparihīyate| yathoktaṃ tatkariṣyāmo na kiñcitparihāsyate

Then all of them approached Vasishta and said, "everything has been wellarranged in accordance with your instruction. There is no deficiency. Everything will be done as instructed by you without leaving out anything."

ततस्सुमन्त्रमानीय वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। निमन्त्रयस्व नृपतीन्पृथिव्यां ये च धार्मिका:।।1.13.18।।

tatassumantramānīya vasiṣṭho vākyamabravīt| nimantrayasva nṛpatīnpṛthivyāṃ ye ca dhārmikā:

Then Vasishta, having summoned Sumantra said to him "Invite all the righteous kings on earth".

ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्रियान्वैश्याञ्छूद्रांश्चैव सहस्रश:। समानयस्व सत्कृत्य सर्वदेशेषु मानवान्।।1.13.19।।

brāhmaṇānkṣatriyānvaiśyāñchūdrāṃścaiva sahasraśa:| samānayasva satkṛtya sarvadeśeṣu mānavān

"Extend an honourable invitation to brahmins, kshatriyas, merchants and sudras in their thousands residing in all countries.

मिथिलाधिपतिं शूरं जनकं सत्यविक्रमम्। निष्ठितं सर्वशास्त्रेषु तथा वेदेषु निष्ठितम्।।1.13.20।। तमानय महाभागं स्वयमेव सुसत्कृतम्। पूर्वसम्बन्धिनं ज्ञात्वा तत: पूर्वं ब्रवीमि ते।।1.13.21।।

mithilādhipatiṃ śūraṃ janakaṃ satyavikramam| niṣṭhitaṃ sarvaśāstreṣu tathā vedeṣu niṣṭhitam tamānaya mahābhāgaṃ svayameva susatkṛtam| pūrvasambandhinaṃ jñātvā tata: pūrvaṃ bravīmi te

You may personally go and bring with due honour king Janaka who is the distinguished king of Mithila, a warrior whose truth is his strength proficient in all scriptures and the Vedas. Since he is an old ally, I am telling you in advance.

मिथिलाधिपतिं शूरं जनकं सत्यविक्रमम्। निष्ठितं सर्वशास्त्रेषु तथा वेदेषु निष्ठितम्।।1.13.20।। तमानय महाभागं स्वयमेव सुसत्कृतम्। पूर्वसम्बन्धिनं ज्ञात्वा तत: पूर्वं ब्रवीमि ते।।1.13.21।।

mithilādhipatiṃ śūraṃ janakaṃ satyavikramam| niṣṭhitaṃ sarvaśāstreṣu tathā vedeṣu niṣṭhitam tamānaya mahābhāgaṃ svayameva susatkṛtam| pūrvasambandhinaṃ jñātvā tata: pūrvaṃ bravīmi te

You may personally go and bring with due honour king Janaka who is the distinguished king of Mithila, a warrior whose truth is his strength proficient in all scriptures and the Vedas. Since he is an old ally, I am telling you in advance.

तथा काशीपतिं स्निग्धं सततं प्रियवादिनम्। वयस्यं राजसिंहस्य स्वयमेवानयस्व ह।।1.13.22।।

tathā kāśīpatiṃ snigdhaṃ satataṃ priyavādinam| vayasyaṃ rājasiṃhasya svayamevānayasva ha

Similarly, you may personally escort king of Kasi who is always affectionate and sweettongued. He is a friend to our king who is a lion among rulers.

तथा केकयराजानं वृद्धं परमधार्मिकम्। श्वशुरं राजसिंहस्य सपुत्रं त्वमिहानय।।1.13.23।।

tathā kekayarājānaṃ vṛddhaṃ paramadhārmikam| śvaśuraṃ rājasiṃhasya saputraṃ tvamihānaya

Likewise bring here the aged and very righteous king of Kekaya along with his sons. He is fatherinlaw to this lion among kings (Dasaratha).

अङ्गेश्वरम् महाभागं रोमपादं सुसत्कृतम्। वयस्यं राजसिंहस्य समानय यशस्विनम्।।1.13.24।।

aṅgeśvaram mahābhāgaṃ romapādaṃ susatkṛtam| vayasyaṃ rājasiṃhasya samānaya yaśasvinam

Bring with honour king of Anga, Romapada, famous and prosperous. He is an intimate friend of the king (Dasaratha).

प्राचीनान्सिन्धु सौवीरान्सौराष्ट्रेयांश्च पार्थिवान्। दाक्षिणात्यान्नरेन्द्रांश्च समस्तानानयस्व ह।।1.13.25।।

prācīnānsindhu sauvīrānsaurāṣṭreyāṃśca pārthivān| dākṣiṇātyānnarendrāṃśca samastānānayasva ha

Bring kings from the countries of the eastern and southern regions, from Sindhu, Sauvera and Saurashtra৷৷

सन्ति स्निग्धाश्च ये चान्ये राजान: पृथिवीतले। तानानय यथाक्षिप्रं सानुगान्सह बान्धवान्।।1.13.26।।

santi snigdhāśca ye cānye rājāna: pṛthivītale| tānānaya yathākṣipraṃ sānugānsaha bāndhavān

Bring all other kings of this earth, who are friendly with us. Along with their retinues, families and relatives".

वसिष्ठवाक्यं तच्छ्रुत्वा सुमन्त्रस्त्वरितस्तदा। व्यादिशत्पुरुषांस्तत्र राज्ञामानयने शुभान्।।1.13.27।।

vasiṣṭhavākyaṃ tacchrutvā sumantrastvaritastadā| vyādiśatpuruṣāṃstatra rājñāmānayane śubhān

Having heard the words of Vasishta, Sumantra speedily despatched virtuous and auspicious emissaries to bring the kings.

स्वयमेव हि धर्मात्मा प्रययौ मुनिशासनात्। सुमन्त्रस्त्वरितो भूत्वा समानेतुं महीक्षित:।।1.13.28।।

svayameva hi dharmātmā prayayau muniśāsanāt| sumantrastvarito bhūtvā samānetuṃ mahīkṣita:

In accordance with the ascetic's order, righteous Sumantra himself quickly set out to escort Janaka and other kings.

ते च कर्मान्तिकास्सर्वे वसिष्ठाय च धीमते। सर्वं निवेदयन्ति स्म यज्ञे यदुपकल्पितम्।।1.13.29।।

te ca karmāntikāssarve vasiṣṭhāya ca dhīmate| sarvaṃ nivedayanti sma yajñe yadupakalpitam

All the workers reported to the wise sage, Vasishta about the tasks completed for the sacrifice.

तत:प्रीतो द्विजश्रेष्ठस्तान् सर्वानिदमब्रवीत् । अवज्ञया न दातव्यं कस्यचिल्लीलयाऽपि वा।।1.13.30।। अवज्ञया कृतं हन्याद्दातारं नात्र संशय:। 28

tata:prīto dvijaśreṣṭhastān sarvānidamabravīt | avajñayā na dātavyaṃ kasyacillīlayā'pi vā avajñayā kṛtaṃ hanyāddātāraṃ nātra saṃśaya:| 28

Then, well pleased, the best among brahmins (Vasishta) said to them all "Nobody should be offered any thing with disregard. Anything given with contempt undoubtedly results in the destruction of the donor."

तत: कैश्चिदहोरात्रैरुपयाता महीक्षित:।।1.13.31।। बहूनि रत्नान्यादाय राज्ञो दशरथस्य वै।

tata: kaiścidahorātrairupayātā mahīkṣita: bahūni ratnānyādāya rājño daśarathasya vai|

Meanwhile kings from several countries to travelling nights and days arrived bringing with them various kinds of (precious) gifts.

ततो वसिष्ठस्सुप्रीतो राजानमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.13.32।। उपयाता नरव्याघ्र राजानस्तव शासनात्। मयापि सत्कृता: सर्वे यथार्हं राजसत्तमा:।।1.13.33।।

tato vasiṣṭhassuprīto rājānamidamabravīt upayātā naravyāghra rājānastava śāsanāt| mayāpi satkṛtā: sarve yathārhaṃ rājasattamā:

Thereupon, wellpleased, Vasishta addressing Dasaratha said "O best among men, beacuse of your command, kings from various countries have arrived. I have extended due hospitality to those noble kings according to their station."

ततो वसिष्ठस्सुप्रीतो राजानमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.13.32।। उपयाता नरव्याघ्र राजानस्तव शासनात्। मयापि सत्कृता: सर्वे यथार्हं राजसत्तमा:।।1.13.33।।

tato vasiṣṭhassuprīto rājānamidamabravīt upayātā naravyāghra rājānastava śāsanāt| mayāpi satkṛtā: sarve yathārhaṃ rājasattamā:

Thereupon, wellpleased, Vasishta addressing Dasaratha said "O best among men, beacuse of your command, kings from various countries have arrived. I have extended due hospitality to those noble kings according to their station."

यज्ञीयं च कृतं राजन् पुरुषैस्सुसमाहितै:। निर्यातु च भवान्यष्टुं यज्ञायतनमन्तिकात्।।1.13.34।।

yajñīyaṃ ca kṛtaṃ rājan puruṣaissusamāhitai:| niryātu ca bhavānyaṣṭuṃ yajñāyatanamantikāt

"O king, persons with composed minds have made preparations for the yaga. Now be pleased to leave for sacrificial altar nearby to perform yaga.

सर्वकामैरुपहृतैरुपेतं च समन्तत:। द्रष्टुमर्हसि राजेन्द्र मनसेव विनिर्मितम्।।1.13.35।।

sarvakāmairupahṛtairupetaṃ ca samantata:| draṣṭumarhasi rājendra manaseva vinirmitam

O foremost of kings, you ought to see the sacrificial ground full of sources of entertainment arranged everywhere, as though improvised by imagination".

तथा वसिष्ठवचनादृश्यशृङ्गस्य चोभयो:। शुभे दिवसनक्षत्रे निर्यातो जगतीपति:।।1.13.36।।

tathā vasiṣṭhavacanādṛśyaśṛṅgasya cobhayo:| śubhe divasanakṣatre niryāto jagatīpati:

In response to the words of Vasishta and Rsyasringa, the Lord of the earth (Dasaratha) entered the sacrificial pavilion on a favourable day presided over by an auspicious star.

ततो वसिष्ठप्रमुखास्सर्व एव द्विजोत्तमा:। ऋश्यशृङ्गं पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञकर्मारभन् तदा।।1.13.37।। यज्ञवाटगतास्सर्वे यथाशास्त्रं यथाविधि। 3

tato vasiṣṭhapramukhāssarva eva dvijottamā:| ṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ puraskṛtya yajñakarmārabhan tadā yajñavāṭagatāssarve yathāśāstraṃ yathāvidhi| 3

At that moment the best of brahmins led by Vasishta and headed by Rsyasringa, entered the sacrificial enclosure and began the sacrifice in accordance with traditions and scriptural stipulations. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे त्रयोदशस्सर्ग:।। Thus ends the thirteenth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.