Bala Kanda, Sarga 14

अथ संवत्सरे पूर्णे तस्मिन्प्राप्ते तुरङ्गमे। सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे राज्ञो यज्ञोऽभ्यवर्तत।।1.14.1।।

atha saṃvatsare pūrṇe tasminprāpte turaṅgame| sarayvāścottare tīre rājño yajño'bhyavartata

After completion of one year when the sacrificial horse had returned, the sacrifice by the king (Dasaratha) commenced on the northern bank of river Sarayu.

ऋश्यशृङ्गं पुरस्कृत्य कर्म चक्रुर्द्विजर्षभा:। अश्वमेधे महायज्ञे राज्ञोऽस्य सुमहात्मन:।।1.14.2।।

ṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ puraskṛtya karma cakrurdvijarṣabhā:| aśvamedhe mahāyajñe rājño'sya sumahātmana:

The best of brahmins led by Rsyasringa performed the rituals of aswamedha organised by the exceedingly magnanimous king.

कर्म कुर्वन्ति विधिवद्याजका वेदपारगा:। यथाविधि यथान्यायं परिक्रामन्ति शास्त्रत:।।1.14.3।।

karma kurvanti vidhivadyājakā vedapāragā:| yathāvidhi yathānyāyaṃ parikrāmanti śāstrata:

The chief priests, masters of the Vedas, conducted the rituals in consonance with traditions and scriptures. They officiated in conformity with duties laid down in the Vedas and according to law.

प्रवर्ग्यं शास्त्रत: कृत्वा तथैवोपसदं द्विजा: चक्रुश्च विधिवत्सर्वमधिकं कर्म शास्त्रत:।।1.14.4।।

pravargyaṃ śāstrata: kṛtvā tathaivopasadaṃ dvijā: cakruśca vidhivatsarvamadhikaṃ karma śāstrata:

Brahmins performed pravargya and upasada and other ceremonies as per the scriptures and traditions.

अभिपूज्य ततो हृष्टास्सर्वे चक्रुर्यथाविधि। प्रातस्सवनपूर्वाणि कर्माणि मुनिपुङ्गवा:।।1.14.5।।

abhipūjya tato hṛṣṭāssarve cakruryathāvidhi| prātassavanapūrvāṇi karmāṇi munipuṅgavā:

Thereafter the eminent ascetics, rejoicing in their hearts performed the worship (of celestial beings) and conducted the prescribed rituals starting with morning ablutions etc.

ऐन्द्रश्च विधिवद्दत्तो राजा चाभिषुतोऽनघ:। माध्यन्दिनं च सवनं प्रावर्तत यथाक्रमम्।।1.14.6।।

aindraśca vidhivaddatto rājā cābhiṣuto'nagha:| mādhyandinaṃ ca savanaṃ prāvartata yathākramam

Havis was duly offered to Indra daily. The juice was extracted in the morning by pressing the soma plant. Midday ablutions were performed. All in proper sequence.

तृतीयसवनं चैव राज्ञोऽस्य सुमहात्मन:। चक्रुस्तेशास्त्रतो दृष्ट्वा तथा ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवा:।।1.14.7।।

tṛtīyasavanaṃ caiva rājño'sya sumahātmana:| cakrusteśāstrato dṛṣṭvā tathā brāhmaṇapuṅgavā:

Those exceedingly noble and eminent brahmins performed third pressing of the soma, in conformity with the sastras.

न चाहुतमभूत्तत्र स्खलितं वापि किञ्चन । दृश्यते ब्रह्मवत्सर्वं क्षेमयुक्तं हि चक्रिरे।।1.14.8।।

na cāhutamabhūttatra skhalitaṃ vāpi kiñcana | dṛśyate brahmavatsarvaṃ kṣemayuktaṃ hi cakrire

There were no omissions in the offerings nor any lappes in the performance. Everything was done through recitation of mantras and in a wholesome way.

न तेष्वहस्सु श्रान्तो वा क्षुधितो वापि दृश्यते। नाविद्वान्ब्राह्मणस्तत्र नाशतानुचरस्तथा।।1.14.9।।

na teṣvahassu śrānto vā kṣudhito vāpi dṛśyate| nāvidvānbrāhmaṇastatra nāśatānucarastathā

During the days (of sacrifice) none felt tired or hungry. There was no brahmin who was not learned or had less than a hundred followers (or disciples).

ब्राह्मणा भुञ्जते नित्यं नाथवन्तश्च भुञ्जते। तापसा भुञ्जते चापि श्रमणा भुञ्जतेतथा।।1.14.10।।

brāhmaṇā bhuñjate nityaṃ nāthavantaśca bhuñjate| tāpasā bhuñjate cāpi śramaṇā bhuñjatetathā

During that period brahmanas as well as those who have masters, (the sudras), ascetics and monks had enough to eat.

वृद्धाश्च व्याधिताश्चैव स्त्रियो बालास्तथैव च । अनिशं भुञ्जमानानां न तृप्तिरुपलभ्यते।।1.14.11।।

vṛddhāśca vyādhitāścaiva striyo bālāstathaiva ca | aniśaṃ bhuñjamānānāṃ na tṛptirupalabhyate

The aged, the sick, women and also children ate there and knew no limit to their enjoyment.

दीयतां दीयतामन्नं वासांसि विविधानि च। इति सञ्चोदितास्तत्र तथा चक्रुरनेकश:।।1.14.12।।

dīyatāṃ dīyatāmannaṃ vāsāṃsi vividhāni ca| iti sañcoditāstatra tathā cakruranekaśa:

"Give food, give, various kinds of clothes" echoed the organisers. And they (in charge of distribution) did.

अन्नकूटाश्च बहवो दृश्यन्ते पर्वतोपमा:। दिवसे दिवसे तत्र सिद्धस्य विधिवत्तदा।।1.14.13।।

annakūṭāśca bahavo dṛśyante parvatopamā:| divase divase tatra siddhasya vidhivattadā

There, could be seen day after day heaps of nicely cooked food, looking like mountains.

नानादेशादनुप्राप्ता: पुरुषास्स्त्रीगणास्तथा। अन्नपानैस्सुविहितास्तस्मिन्यज्ञे महात्मन:।।1.14.14।।

nānādeśādanuprāptā: puruṣāsstrīgaṇāstathā| annapānaissuvihitāstasminyajñe mahātmana:

Men and women who had come from various countries to that sacrifice were entertained with food and drink by the magnanimous (king).

अन्नं हि विधिवत्साधु प्रशंसन्ति द्विजर्षभा:। अहो तृप्ता: स्म भद्रं ते इति शुश्राव राघव:।।1.14.15।।

annaṃ hi vidhivatsādhu praśaṃsanti dvijarṣabhā:| aho tṛptā: sma bhadraṃ te iti śuśrāva rāghava:

Brahmins having tasted the delicious food cooked in prescribed manner, praised saying "Ah We are fully satisfied. Prosperity to you". Such were the words heard by king Dasaratha.

स्वलङ्कृताश्च पुरुषा ब्राह्मणान्पर्यवेषयन्। उपासते च तानन्ये सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डला:।।1.14.16।।

svalaṅkṛtāśca puruṣā brāhmaṇānparyaveṣayan| upāsate ca tānanye sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalā:

While brahmins were being served with food by welldressed men, some others wearing pendents studded with shining jewels assisted them.

कर्मान्तरे तदा विप्रा हेतुवादान्बहूनपि। प्राहुश्च वाग्मिनो धीरा: परस्परजिगीषया।।1.14.17।।

karmāntare tadā viprā hetuvādānbahūnapi| prāhuśca vāgmino dhīrā: parasparajigīṣayā

In the interval between ceremonies, eloquent and sagacious brahmins were engaged in various disputations, desirous of victory.

दिवसे दिवसे तत्र संस्तरे कुशला द्विजा:। सर्वकर्माणि चक्रुस्ते यथाशास्त्रं प्रचोदिता:।।1.14.18।।

divase divase tatra saṃstare kuśalā dvijā:| sarvakarmāṇi cakruste yathāśāstraṃ pracoditā:

Every day in that sacrifice brahmins, skilful in rituals, persuaded (by sage Vasishta), performed all their duties as per tradition.

नाषडङ्गविदत्रासीन्नाव्रतो नाबहुश्रुत:। सदस्यास्तस्य वै राज्ञो नावादकुशला द्विजा:।।1.14.19।।

nāṣaḍaṅgavidatrāsīnnāvrato nābahuśruta:| sadasyāstasya vai rājño nāvādakuśalā dvijā:

Here (in this sacrificial pavillion), there was none who was not versed in six Vedangas, not true to vows, not learned in many sastras nor adept in discussions (on sastras).

प्राप्ते यूपोच्छ्रये तस्मिन्षड्बैल्वा: खादिरास्तथा। तावन्तो बिल्वसहिता: पर्णिनश्च तथापरे।।1.14.20।। श्लेष्मातकमयस्त्वेको देवदारुमयस्तथा। द्वावेव विहितौ तत्र बाहुव्यस्तपरिग्रहौ।।1.14.21।।

prāpte yūpocchraye tasminṣaḍbailvā: khādirāstathā| tāvanto bilvasahitā: parṇinaśca tathāpare śleṣmātakamayastveko devadārumayastathā| dvāveva vihitau tatra bāhuvyastaparigrahau

When the time came to erect sacrificial posts, six posts, each made of bilva, khadira, parni, sleshmataka and two of devadaru wood, with a distance of two outstretched hands between them were erected.

प्राप्ते यूपोच्छ्रये तस्मिन्षड्बैल्वा: खादिरास्तथा। तावन्तो बिल्वसहिता: पर्णिनश्च तथापरे।।1.14.20।। श्लेष्मातकमयस्त्वेको देवदारुमयस्तथा। द्वावेव विहितौ तत्र बाहुव्यस्तपरिग्रहौ।।1.14.21।।

prāpte yūpocchraye tasminṣaḍbailvā: khādirāstathā| tāvanto bilvasahitā: parṇinaśca tathāpare śleṣmātakamayastveko devadārumayastathā| dvāveva vihitau tatra bāhuvyastaparigrahau

When the time came to erect sacrificial posts, six posts each made of bilva and khadira wood and many made of parni wood along, one of sleshmataka and two of devadaru wood, with a distance of two outstretched hands between them were erected.

कारितास्सर्व एवैते शास्त्रज्ञैर्यज्ञकोविदै:। शोभार्थं तस्य यज्ञस्य काञ्चनालङ्कृताऽभवन्।।1.14.22।।

kāritāssarva evaite śāstrajñairyajñakovidai:| śobhārthaṃ tasya yajñasya kāñcanālaṅkṛtā'bhavan

All these posts were prepared by knowers of sastras and by those wellversed in the performance of sacrifices. They were decorated with gold to add elegance to the sacrifice.

एकविंशतियूपास्ते एकविंशत्यरत्नय:। वासोभिरेकविंशद्भिरेकैकं समलङ्कृता:।।1.14.23।।

ekaviṃśatiyūpāste ekaviṃśatyaratnaya:| vāsobhirekaviṃśadbhirekaikaṃ samalaṅkṛtā:

These twentyone sacrificial posts, each measuring twentyone 'aratni' height, were welldecorated wrapped in a piece of cloth.

विन्यस्ता विधिवत्सर्वे शिल्पिभिस्सुकृता दृढा:। अष्टाश्रयस्सर्व एव श्लक्ष्णरूपसमन्विता:।।1.14.24।।

vinyastā vidhivatsarve śilpibhissukṛtā dṛḍhā:| aṣṭāśrayassarva eva ślakṣṇarūpasamanvitā:

All those posts, strong with eight sides and finely finished surfaces, wellcarved by sculptors were duly erected.

आच्छादितास्ते वासोभि: पुष्पैर्गन्धैश्च भूषिता:। सप्तर्षयो दीप्तिमन्तो विराजन्ते यथा दिवि।।1.14.25।।

ācchāditāste vāsobhi: puṣpairgandhaiśca bhūṣitā:| saptarṣayo dīptimanto virājante yathā divi

Decorated with flowers and sandal paste and covered with cloths, stood the bright sacrificial posts shining like seven sages in the sky.

इष्टकाश्च यथान्यायं कारिताश्च प्रमाणत:। चितोऽग्निर्ब्राह्मणैस्तत्र कुशलैश्शुल्बकर्मणि ।।1.14.26।।

iṣṭakāśca yathānyāyaṃ kāritāśca pramāṇata:| cito'gnirbrāhmaṇaistatra kuśalaiśśulbakarmaṇi

The sacrificial fireplace was constructed with bricks with standard measurement by brahmins who were experts in the art of measuring land with a string or single strand.

सचित्यो राजसिंहस्य सञ्चित: कुशलैर्द्विजै:। गरुडो रुक्मपक्षो वै त्रिगुणोऽष्टादशात्मक:।।1.14.27।।

sacityo rājasiṃhasya sañcita: kuśalairdvijai:| garuḍo rukmapakṣo vai triguṇo'ṣṭādaśātmaka:

That sacrificial altar of the lion among kings, (Dasaratha), erected by welltrained brahmins was in the shape of the golden winged 'Garuda' it had three ranges and thrice as many fireplaces i.e eighteen in number.

नियुक्तास्तत्र पशवस्तत्तदुद्दिश्य दैवतम्। उरगा: पक्षिणश्चैव यथाशास्त्रं प्रचोदिता:।।1.14.28।।

niyuktāstatra paśavastattaduddiśya daivatam| uragā: pakṣiṇaścaiva yathāśāstraṃ pracoditā:

Animals, serpents and birds were kept ready after the sastras intended (for sacrifice) for those respective deities.

शामित्रे तु हयस्तत्र तथा जलचराश्च ये। ऋत्विग्भिस्सर्वमेवैतन्नियुक्तं शास्त्रतस्तदा।।1.14.29।।

śāmitre tu hayastatra tathā jalacarāśca ye| ṛtvigbhissarvamevaitanniyuktaṃ śāstratastadā

When the time came to sacrifice the animals, the chief priests, in accordance with tradition, tied up the horse and all the aquatic animals to the sacrificial posts.

पशूनां त्रिशतं तत्र यूपेषु नियतं तदा। अश्वरत्नोत्तमं तस्य राज्ञो दशरथस्य च ।।1.14.30।।

paśūnāṃ triśataṃ tatra yūpeṣu niyataṃ tadā| aśvaratnottamaṃ tasya rājño daśarathasya ca

Three hundred animals and the jewel of the horses (from the stables) belonging to king Dasaratha were bound to the sacrificial posts.

कौसल्या तं हयं तत्र परिचर्य समन्तत:। कृपाणैर्विशशासैनं त्रिभि: परमया मुदा ।।1.14.31।।

kausalyā taṃ hayaṃ tatra paricarya samantata:| kṛpāṇairviśaśāsainaṃ tribhi: paramayā mudā

Kausalya, with immense glee having gone round and worshipped that horse, severed it with three strokes of scimitar.

पतत्रिणा तदा सार्धं सुस्थितेन च चेतसा। अवसद्रजनीमेकां कौशल्या धर्मकाम्यया।।1.14.32।।

patatriṇā tadā sārdhaṃ susthitena ca cetasā| avasadrajanīmekāṃ kauśalyā dharmakāmyayā

Kausalya, in her devotion to duty and with a happy state of mind, passed one night near that horse.

होताऽध्वर्युस्तथोद्गाता हस्तेन समयोजयन्। महिष्या परिवृत्त्या च वावातां च तथापराम्।।1.14.33।।

hotā'dhvaryustathodgātā hastena samayojayan| mahiṣyā parivṛttyā ca vāvātāṃ ca tathāparām

Hota, Adhvaryu and Udgata arranged Mahishi, Parivritti, Vavaata and another woman known as Palakali to touch (keep the company of) the sacrificial horse.

पतत्रिणस्तस्य वपा मुद्धृत्य नियतेन्द्रिय:। ऋत्विक्परमसम्पन्न: श्रपयामास शास्त्रत:।।1.14.34।।

patatriṇastasya vapā muddhṛtya niyatendriya:| ṛtvikparamasampanna: śrapayāmāsa śāstrata:

The official priest, highly knowledgeable in scriptures and having restrained senses, removed the marrow from the horse and cooked it according to tradition.

धूमगन्धं वपायास्तु जिघ्रति स्म नराधिप:। यथाकालं यथान्यायं निर्णुदन्पापमात्मन:।।1.14.35।।

dhūmagandhaṃ vapāyāstu jighrati sma narādhipa:| yathākālaṃ yathānyāyaṃ nirṇudanpāpamātmana:

The king at appropriate time and in agreement with the scriptures inhaled the odour of the smoke (from the burnt marrow) and absolved himself of his sins.

हयस्य यानि चाङ्गानि तानि सर्वाणि ब्राह्मणा:। अग्नौ प्रास्यन्ति विधिवत्समन्त्राष्षोडशर्त्विज:।।1.14.36।।

hayasya yāni cāṅgāni tāni sarvāṇi brāhmaṇā:| agnau prāsyanti vidhivatsamantrāṣṣoḍaśartvija:

The sixteen officiating priests (brahmins) offered all the horse's limbs with prayers as per the customs.

प्लक्षशाखासु यज्ञानामन्येषां क्रियते हवि:। अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य वैतसो भाग इष्यते।।1.14.37।।

plakṣaśākhāsu yajñānāmanyeṣāṃ kriyate havi:| aśvamedhasya yajñasya vaitaso bhāga iṣyate

In other sacrifices oblations are offered with branches of a plaksha tree but in Aswamedha a branch of cane creeper is chosen instead.

त्र्यहोऽश्वमेधस्सङ्ख्यात: कल्पसूत्रेण ब्राह्मणै:। 37 चतुष्टोममहस्तस्य प्रथमं परिकल्पितम्।।1.14.38।।

tryaho'śvamedhassaṅkhyāta: kalpasūtreṇa brāhmaṇai:| 37 catuṣṭomamahastasya prathamaṃ parikalpitam

According to Kalpa sutra, aswamedha in conducted for three days. In the first day, chatushtoma is arranged.

उक्थ्यं द्वितीयं संख्यातमतिरात्रं तथोत्तरम्। कारितास्तत्र बहवो विहिताश्शास्त्रदर्शनात्।।1.14.39।।

ukthyaṃ dvitīyaṃ saṃkhyātamatirātraṃ tathottaram| kāritāstatra bahavo vihitāśśāstradarśanāt

On the second day Ukthya and on the third day Atiraatra were performed. Many sacrifices fixed according to the scriptures were also performed.

ज्योतिष्टोमायुषी चैवमतिरात्रौ विनिर्मितौ। अभिजिद्विश्वजिच्चैवमप्तोर्यामो महाक्रतु:।।1.14.40।।

jyotiṣṭomāyuṣī caivamatirātrau vinirmitau| abhijidviśvajiccaivamaptoryāmo mahākratu:

Jyotishtoma and Ayuryaga in Atiratra, Abhijit, Viswajit and Aptoryama ceremonies constituting the great sacrifice were performed in the prescribed manner.

प्राचीं होत्रे ददौ राजा दिशं स्वकुलवर्धन:। अध्वर्यवे प्रतीचीं तु ब्रह्मणे दक्षिणां दिशम्।।1.14.41।। उद्गात्रे च तथोदीचीं दक्षिणैषा विनिर्मिता। हयमेधे महायज्ञे स्वयंभूविहिते पुरा।।1.14.42।।

prācīṃ hotre dadau rājā diśaṃ svakulavardhana:| adhvaryave pratīcīṃ tu brahmaṇe dakṣiṇāṃ diśam udgātre ca tathodīcīṃ dakṣiṇaiṣā vinirmitā| hayamedhe mahāyajñe svayaṃbhūvihite purā

In order to promote his dynasty, king Dasaratha gave away eastern region to Hotar, western region to Adhvaryu, southern region to Brahma and northern region to Udgata. These offerings were made in accordance with theprescriptions by Brahma long all.

प्राचीं होत्रे ददौ राजा दिशं स्वकुलवर्धन:। अध्वर्यवे प्रतीचीं तु ब्रह्मणे दक्षिणां दिशम्।।1.14.41।। उद्गात्रे च तथोदीचीं दक्षिणैषा विनिर्मिता। हयमेधे महायज्ञे स्वयंभूविहिते पुरा।।1.14.42।।

prācīṃ hotre dadau rājā diśaṃ svakulavardhana:| adhvaryave pratīcīṃ tu brahmaṇe dakṣiṇāṃ diśam udgātre ca tathodīcīṃ dakṣiṇaiṣā vinirmitā| hayamedhe mahāyajñe svayaṃbhūvihite purā

In order to promote his dynasty, king Dasaratha gave away eastern region to Hotar, western region to Adhvaryu, southern region to Brahma and northern region to Udgata. These offerings were made in accordance with theprescriptions by Brahma long all.

क्रतुं समाप्य तु तदा न्यायत: पुरुषर्षभ: । ऋत्विग्भ्यो हि ददौ राजा तां धरां कुलवर्धन:।।1.14.43।।

kratuṃ samāpya tu tadā nyāyata: puruṣarṣabha: | ṛtvigbhyo hi dadau rājā tāṃ dharāṃ kulavardhana:

The king best among men and upholder of his dynasty, having concluded the sacrifice according to law, offered this entire earth as gift to priests.

ऋत्विजस्त्वब्रुवन्सर्वे राजानं गतकल्मषम्। भवानेव महीं कृत्स्नामेको रक्षितुमर्हति।।1.14.44।।

ṛtvijastvabruvansarve rājānaṃ gatakalmaṣam| bhavāneva mahīṃ kṛtsnāmeko rakṣitumarhati

But all the priests said to the king purged of his sins, "O Lord of men you alone are capable of protecting this earth".

न भूम्या कार्यमस्माकं न हि शक्तास्स्म पालने। रतास्स्वाध्यायकरणे वयं नित्यं हि भूमिप।।1.14.45।। निष्क्रयं किञ्चिदेवेह प्रयच्छतु भवानिति। 4

na bhūmyā kāryamasmākaṃ na hi śaktāssma pālane| ratāssvādhyāyakaraṇe vayaṃ nityaṃ hi bhūmipa niṣkrayaṃ kiñcideveha prayacchatu bhavāniti| 4

"O ruler of the earth We are constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas. We are not capable of ruling the earth and we cannot do anything with its possession. Give some other charity in lieu of that.

मणिरत्नं सुवर्णं वा गावो यद्वा समुद्यतम्। तत्प्रयच्छ नरश्रेष्ठ धरण्या न प्रयोजनम्।।1.14.46।।

maṇiratnaṃ suvarṇaṃ vā gāvo yadvā samudyatam| tatprayaccha naraśreṣṭha dharaṇyā na prayojanam

O best of men give us gems or gold or cows or whichever is readily available. We have no use with this earth".

एवमुक्तो नरपतिर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगै:।।1.14.47।। गवां शतसहस्राणि दश तेभ्यो ददौ नृप:। 4 शतकोटीस्सुवर्णस्य रजतस्य चतुर्गुणम् ।।1.14.48।।

evamukto narapatirbrāhmaṇairvedapāragai: gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi daśa tebhyo dadau nṛpa:| 4 śatakoṭīssuvarṇasya rajatasya caturguṇam

Lord of men, the king having been thus addressed by brahmins who were wellversed in the Vedas, bestowed on them ten hundred thousand cows, a hundred crore of gold coins and four times as much in silver coins.

एवमुक्तो नरपतिर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगै:।।1.14.47।। गवां शतसहस्राणि दश तेभ्यो ददौ नृप:। 4 शतकोटीस्सुवर्णस्य रजतस्य चतुर्गुणम् ।।1.14.48।।

evamukto narapatirbrāhmaṇairvedapāragai: gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi daśa tebhyo dadau nṛpa:| 4 śatakoṭīssuvarṇasya rajatasya caturguṇam

Lord of men, the king having been thus addressed by brahmins who were wellversed in the Vedas, bestowed on them ten hundred thousand cows, a hundred crore of gold coins and four times as much in silver coins.

ऋत्विजश्च ततस्सर्वे प्रददुस्सहिता वसु। ऋश्यशृङ्गाय मुनये वसिष्ठाय च धीमते।।1.14.49।।

ṛtvijaśca tatassarve pradadussahitā vasu| ṛśyaśṛṅgāya munaye vasiṣṭhāya ca dhīmate

All the priests collectively offered that wealth to sage Rsyasringa and Vasishta endowed with prudence.

ततस्ते न्यायत: कृत्वा प्रविभागं द्विजोत्तमा:। सुप्रीतमनसस्सर्वे प्रत्यूचुर्मुदिता भृशम्।।1.14.50।।

tataste nyāyata: kṛtvā pravibhāgaṃ dvijottamā:| suprītamanasassarve pratyūcurmuditā bhṛśam

Then those highly pleased brahmins, having distributed that wealth with equity, again said to the king.

तत: प्रसर्पकैभ्यस्तु हिरण्यं सुसमाहित:। जाम्बूनदं कोटिसंख्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ तदा।।1.14.51।।

tata: prasarpakaibhyastu hiraṇyaṃ susamāhita:| jāmbūnadaṃ koṭisaṃkhyaṃ brāhmaṇebhyo dadau tadā

Thereafter, with earnestness king Dasaratha bestowed a crore of gold coins to brahmins who had come to see the sacrifice.

दरिद्राय द्विजायाथ हस्ताभरणमुत्तमम्। कस्मैचिद्याचमानाय ददौ राघवनन्दन:।।1.14.52।।

daridrāya dvijāyātha hastābharaṇamuttamam| kasmaicidyācamānāya dadau rāghavanandana:

Dasaratha then gave his excellent bracelet to a poor brahmin who solicited alms.

तत: प्रीतेषु नृपतिर्द्विजेषु द्विजवत्सल:। प्रणाममकरोत्तेषां हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षण:।।1.14.53।।

tata: prīteṣu nṛpatirdvijeṣu dvijavatsala:| praṇāmamakarotteṣāṃ harṣaparyākulekṣaṇa:

When the brahmins were pleased, king Dasaratha who was fond of brahmins bowed to them with his eyes filled with delight.

तस्याशिषोऽथ विधिवद्ब्राह्मणैस्समुदीरिता:। उदारस्य नृवीरस्य धरण्यां प्रणतस्य च ।।1.14.54।।

tasyāśiṣo'tha vidhivadbrāhmaṇaissamudīritā:| udārasya nṛvīrasya dharaṇyāṃ praṇatasya ca

Brahmins uttered blessings upon the generous king when he prostrated before them according to procedure.

तत: प्रीतमना राजा प्राप्य यज्ञमनुत्तमम्। पापापहं स्वर्नयनं दुष्करं पार्थिवर्षभै:।।1.14.55।।

tata: prītamanā rājā prāpya yajñamanuttamam| pāpāpahaṃ svarnayanaṃ duṣkaraṃ pārthivarṣabhai:

Sacrifice destroys sins. It leads to heaven. It is incapable of being done by other monarchs. King Dasaratha was very much pleased after performing this great sacrifice.

ततोऽब्रवीदृश्यशृङ्गं राजा दशरथस्तदा। कुलस्य वर्धनं त्वं तु कर्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत।।1.14.56।।

tato'bravīdṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ rājā daśarathastadā| kulasya vardhanaṃ tvaṃ tu kartumarhasi suvrata

King Dasaratha then addressing Rsyasringa said "O Adherent of vows you can help the continuity of my race".

तथेति च स राजानमुवाच द्विजसत्तम:। भविष्यन्ति सुता राजंश्चत्वारस्ते कुलोद्वहा:।।1.14.57।।

tatheti ca sa rājānamuvāca dvijasattama:| bhaviṣyanti sutā rājaṃścatvāraste kulodvahā:

Rsyasringa, the best of brahmins, addressing the king said, "O King Let it be. Four sons perpetuating your race will be born to you". इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे चतुर्दशस्सर्ग:।। Thus ends the fourteenth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.