Bala Kanda, Sarga 22

तथा वसिष्ठे ब्रुवति राजा दशरथस्सुतम प्रहृष्टवदनो राममाजुहाव सलक्ष्मणम्।।1.22.1।।

tathā vasiṣṭhe bruvati rājā daśarathassutama prahṛṣṭavadano rāmamājuhāva salakṣmaṇam

Vasishta having said thus, king Dasaratha, with cheerful countenance summoned Rama and Lakshmana.

कृतस्वस्त्ययनं मात्रा पित्रा दशरथेन च। पुरोधसा वसिष्ठेन मङ्गलैरभिमन्त्रितम्।।1.22.2।। स पुत्रं मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय राजा दशरथ: प्रियम्। ददौ कुशिकपुत्राय सुप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना।।1.22.3।।

kṛtasvastyayanaṃ mātrā pitrā daśarathena ca| purodhasā vasiṣṭhena maṅgalairabhimantritam sa putraṃ mūrdhnyupāghrāya rājā daśaratha: priyam| dadau kuśikaputrāya suprītenāntarātmanā

Rama was given farewell by his parents with recitation of mantras (for securing prosperity and averting evils). Priest Vasishta sanctified him with mantras Dasaratha kissed his son on the forehead and delivered him to the care of Viswamitra, with a heart full of cheer.

कृतस्वस्त्ययनं मात्रा पित्रा दशरथेन च। पुरोधसा वसिष्ठेन मङ्गलैरभिमन्त्रितम्।।1.22.2।। स पुत्रं मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय राजा दशरथ: प्रियम्। ददौ कुशिकपुत्राय सुप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना।।1.22.3।।

kṛtasvastyayanaṃ mātrā pitrā daśarathena ca| purodhasā vasiṣṭhena maṅgalairabhimantritam sa putraṃ mūrdhnyupāghrāya rājā daśaratha: priyam| dadau kuśikaputrāya suprītenāntarātmanā

Rama was given farewell by his parents with recitation of mantras (for securing prosperity and averting evils). Priest Vasishta sanctified him with mantras Dasaratha kissed his son on the forehead and delivered him to the care of Viswamitra, with a heart full of cheer.

ततो वायुस्सुखस्पर्शो नीरजस्को ववौ तदा। विश्वामित्रगतं दृष्ट्वा रामं राजीवलोचनम्।।1.22.4।।

tato vāyussukhasparśo nīrajasko vavau tadā| viśvāmitragataṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmaṃ rājīvalocanam

At the sight of the lotuseyed Rama accompanying Viswamitra, the wind blew pollenfree with a gentle touch.

पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीद्देवदुन्दुभिनिस्वनै:। शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोष: प्रयाते तु महात्मनि।।1.22.5।।

puṣpavṛṣṭirmahatyāsīddevadundubhinisvanai:| śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣa: prayāte tu mahātmani

The departure of glorious Viswamitra was greeted with incessant showers of flowers, the beating of celestial drums and the blowing of conches.

विश्वामित्रो ययावग्रे ततो रामो धनुर्धर:। काकपक्षधरो धन्वी तं च सौमित्रिरन्वगात्।।1.22.6।।

viśvāmitro yayāvagre tato rāmo dhanurdhara:| kākapakṣadharo dhanvī taṃ ca saumitriranvagāt

Viswamitra walked in the forefront. Behind him was Rama, bow in hand, while in the archer, Sumitra's son (Lakshmana) with side locks of hair followed.

कलापिनौ धनुष्पाणी शोभमानौ दिशो दश । विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं त्रिशीर्षाविव पन्नगौ।।1.22.7।। अनुजग्मतुरक्षुद्रौ पितामहमिवाश्विनौ।

kalāpinau dhanuṣpāṇī śobhamānau diśo daśa | viśvāmitraṃ mahātmānaṃ triśīrṣāviva pannagau anujagmaturakṣudrau pitāmahamivāśvinau|

Rama and Lakshmana equipped with bows and quivers resembled three hooded serpents. Warriors of no less prowess, they illuminated the ten quarters and followed the high souled Viswamitra like twin Aswanikumaras following the grandsire, Brahma.

तदा कुशिकपुत्रं तु धनुष्पाणी स्वलङ्कृतौ।।1.22.8।। बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणौ खड्गवन्तौ महाद्युती । कुमारौ चारुवपुषौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ।।1.22.9।। अनुयातौ श्रिया दीप्तौ शोभयेतामनिन्दितौ। स्थाणुं देवमिवाचिन्त्यं कुमाराविव पावकी ।।1.22.10।।

tadā kuśikaputraṃ tu dhanuṣpāṇī svalaṅkṛtau baddhagodhāṅgulitrāṇau khaḍgavantau mahādyutī | kumārau cāruvapuṣau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau anuyātau śriyā dīptau śobhayetāmaninditau| sthāṇuṃ devamivācintyaṃ kumārāviva pāvakī

Then bows in hand, wellattired, their fingers encased in mongrel skin, for protection (against the bowstring) armed with scimitars, resplendent, young, handsome the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana shone unblemished. As they followed sage Viswamitra spreading radiance, they looked like sons of the god of fire, (Skanda and Visakhu) following the incomprehensible Siva.

तदा कुशिकपुत्रं तु धनुष्पाणी स्वलङ्कृतौ।।1.22.8।। बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणौ खड्गवन्तौ महाद्युती । कुमारौ चारुवपुषौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ।।1.22.9।। अनुयातौ श्रिया दीप्तौ शोभयेतामनिन्दितौ। स्थाणुं देवमिवाचिन्त्यं कुमाराविव पावकी ।।1.22.10।।

tadā kuśikaputraṃ tu dhanuṣpāṇī svalaṅkṛtau baddhagodhāṅgulitrāṇau khaḍgavantau mahādyutī | kumārau cāruvapuṣau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau anuyātau śriyā dīptau śobhayetāmaninditau| sthāṇuṃ devamivācintyaṃ kumārāviva pāvakī

Then bows in hand, wellattired, their fingers encased in mongrel skin, for protection (against the bowstring) armed with scimitars, resplendent, young, handsome the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana shone unblemished. As they followed sage Viswamitra spreading radiance, they looked like sons of the god of fire, (Skanda and Visakhu) following the incomprehensible Siva.

तदा कुशिकपुत्रं तु धनुष्पाणी स्वलङ्कृतौ।।1.22.8।। बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणौ खड्गवन्तौ महाद्युती । कुमारौ चारुवपुषौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ।।1.22.9।। अनुयातौ श्रिया दीप्तौ शोभयेतामनिन्दितौ। स्थाणुं देवमिवाचिन्त्यं कुमाराविव पावकी ।।1.22.10।।

tadā kuśikaputraṃ tu dhanuṣpāṇī svalaṅkṛtau baddhagodhāṅgulitrāṇau khaḍgavantau mahādyutī | kumārau cāruvapuṣau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau anuyātau śriyā dīptau śobhayetāmaninditau| sthāṇuṃ devamivācintyaṃ kumārāviva pāvakī

Then bows in hand, wellattired, their fingers encased in mongrel skin, for protection (against the bowstring) armed with scimitars, resplendent, young, handsome the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana shone unblemished. As they followed sage Viswamitra spreading radiance, they looked like sons of the god of fire, (Skanda and Visakhu) following the incomprehensible Siva.

अध्यर्धयोजनं गत्वा सरय्वा दक्षिणे तटे। रामेति मधुरां वाणीं विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत।।1.22.11।।

adhyardhayojanaṃ gatvā sarayvā dakṣiṇe taṭe| rāmeti madhurāṃ vāṇīṃ viśvāmitro'bhyabhāṣata

After crossing a distance of over half a yojana on the southern bank of Sarayu, Viswamitra addressed Rama sweet in a gentle voice.

गृहाण वत्स सलिलं मा भूत्कालस्य पर्यय:। मन्त्रग्रामं गृहाण त्वं बलामतिबलां तथा।।1.22.12।।

gṛhāṇa vatsa salilaṃ mā bhūtkālasya paryaya:| mantragrāmaṃ gṛhāṇa tvaṃ balāmatibalāṃ tathā

"O child, take this water (in your hands), let there be no delay. You will receive from me a collection of mantras and also bala and atibala.

न श्रमो न ज्वरो वा ते न रूपस्य विपर्यय:। न च सुप्तं प्रमत्तं वा धर्षयिष्यन्ति नैऱृता:।।1.22.13।।

na śramo na jvaro vā te na rūpasya viparyaya:| na ca suptaṃ pramattaṃ vā dharṣayiṣyanti naiṟṛtā:

"(If you receive these mantras), you will experience neither fatigue, nor fever nor will there be a change in your appearance. Whether you are asleep or agitated, rakshasas cannot harm you.

न बाह्वोस्सदृशो वीर्ये पृथिव्यामस्ति कश्चन। त्रिषु लोकेषु वै राम न भवेत्सदृशस्तव ।।1.22.14।।

na bāhvossadṛśo vīrye pṛthivyāmasti kaścana| triṣu lokeṣu vai rāma na bhavetsadṛśastava

O Rama, there is none in this world equal to the might of your hands nor does such a person exist in the three worlds.

न सौभाग्ये न दाक्षिण्ये न ज्ञाने बुद्धिनिश्चये। नोत्तरे प्रतिवक्तव्ये समो लोके तवाऽनघ।।1.22.15।।

na saubhāgye na dākṣiṇye na jñāne buddhiniścaye| nottare prativaktavye samo loke tavā'nagha

O sinless one, there is none in this world equal to you in good fortune, kindness, wisdom, in taking a decsion or giving a reply.

एतद्विद्याद्वये लब्धे भविता नास्ति ते सम:। बलात्वतिबला चैव सर्वज्ञानस्य मातरौ।।1.22.16।।

etadvidyādvaye labdhe bhavitā nāsti te sama:| balātvatibalā caiva sarvajñānasya mātarau

With these two kinds of knowledge secured, there will be none equal to you, at present or in fututre. Bala and atibala are mother to all kinds of knowledge .

क्षुत्पिपासे न ते राम भविष्येते नरोत्तम । बलामतिबलां चैव पठत: पथि राघव।।1.22.17।।

kṣutpipāse na te rāma bhaviṣyete narottama | balāmatibalāṃ caiva paṭhata: pathi rāghava

O Rama, best among men, scion in the line of Raghu, on your way you will not feel hunger or thirst if you recite bala and atibala.

विद्याद्वयमधीयाने यशश्चाप्यतुलं त्वयि। पितामहसुते ह्येते विद्ये तेजस्समन्विते।।1.22.18।। प्रदातुं तव काकुत्स्थ सदृशस्त्वं हि धार्मिक।

vidyādvayamadhīyāne yaśaścāpyatulaṃ tvayi| pitāmahasute hyete vidye tejassamanvite pradātuṃ tava kākutstha sadṛśastvaṃ hi dhārmika|

O Rama, born in the line Kakutstha and one who is righteous, these two radiant sciences are daughters of the grandsire Brahma. If you pursue these two sciences, you will get unequalled fame. You are a fit person to confer these two sciences.

कामं बहुगुणास्सर्वे त्वय्येते नात्र संशय:। तपसा सम्भृते चैते बहुरूपे भविष्यत:।।1.22.19।।

kāmaṃ bahuguṇāssarve tvayyete nātra saṃśaya:| tapasā sambhṛte caite bahurūpe bhaviṣyata:

You possess all these qualities in great measure. There is no doubt that If these two sciences (mantras) are nourished with austerities they will assume multiple forms (and benefit you)".

ततो रामो जलं स्पृष्ट्वा प्रहृष्टवदनश्शुचि:। प्रतिजग्राह ते विद्ये महर्षेर्भावितात्मन:।।1.22.20।।

tato rāmo jalaṃ spṛṣṭvā prahṛṣṭavadanaśśuci:| pratijagrāha te vidye maharṣerbhāvitātmana:

Thereafter Rama, touched the water and was sanctified. With a cheerful face he received those two sciences from the maharshi who had perceived the supreme soul.

विद्यासमुदितो रामश्शुशुभे भूरिविक्रम:। सहस्ररश्मिर्भगवान् शरदीव दिवाकर:।।1.22.21।। गुरुकार्याणि सर्वाणि नियुज्य कुशिकात्मजे। ऊषुस्तां रजनीं तत्र सरय्वां सुसुखं त्रय:।।1.22.22।।

vidyāsamudito rāmaśśuśubhe bhūrivikrama:| sahasraraśmirbhagavān śaradīva divākara: gurukāryāṇi sarvāṇi niyujya kuśikātmaje| ūṣustāṃ rajanīṃ tatra sarayvāṃ susukhaṃ traya:

. Rama, the highly heroic after acquiring knowledge (of the two sciences) and having rendered all services to preceptor Viswamitra, appeared resplendent like the Sungod in autumn. There the three of them spent the night comfortably on the bank of Sarayu.

विद्यासमुदितो रामश्शुशुभे भूरिविक्रम:। सहस्ररश्मिर्भगवान् शरदीव दिवाकर:।।1.22.21।। गुरुकार्याणि सर्वाणि नियुज्य कुशिकात्मजे। ऊषुस्तां रजनीं तत्र सरय्वां सुसुखं त्रय:।।1.22.22।।

vidyāsamudito rāmaśśuśubhe bhūrivikrama:| sahasraraśmirbhagavān śaradīva divākara: gurukāryāṇi sarvāṇi niyujya kuśikātmaje| ūṣustāṃ rajanīṃ tatra sarayvāṃ susukhaṃ traya:

. Rama, the highly heroic after acquiring knowledge (of the two sciences) and having rendered all services to preceptor Viswamitra, appeared resplendent like the Sungod in autumn. There the three of them spent the night comfortably on the bank of Sarayu.

दशरथनृपसूनुसत्तमाभ्यां तृणशयनेऽनुचिते सहोषिताभ्याम्। कुशिकसुतवचोऽनुलालिताभ्यां सुखमिव सा विबभौ विभावरी च।।1.22.23।।

daśarathanṛpasūnusattamābhyāṃ tṛṇaśayane'nucite sahoṣitābhyām| kuśikasutavaco'nulālitābhyāṃ sukhamiva sā vibabhau vibhāvarī ca

The night was spent as though with comfort by the two eminent sons of Dasaratha, who shared the unaccustomed bed of grass. They were kept in good humour by the words of Kusika's son. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे द्वाविंशस्सर्ग:।। Thus ends the twenty second sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.