Bala Kanda, Sarga 50

तत: प्रागुत्तरां गत्वा रामस्सौमित्रिणा सह। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञवाटमुपागमत्।।1.50.1।।

tata: prāguttarāṃ gatvā rāmassaumitriṇā saha| viśvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya yajñavāṭamupāgamat

Rama accompanied by Lakshmana with Viswamitra ahead proceeded in northeasterly direction and reached the sacrificial ground.

रामस्तु मुनिशार्दूलमुवाच सहलक्ष्मण:। साध्वी यज्ञसमृद्धिर्हि जनकस्य महात्मन:।।1.50.2।।

rāmastu muniśārdūlamuvāca sahalakṣmaṇa:| sādhvī yajñasamṛddhirhi janakasya mahātmana:

Rama with Lakshmana told the tiger among ascetics Viswamitra that the preparations or the sacrifice by the illustrious king Janaka were excellent.

बहूनीह सहस्राणि नानादेशनिवासिनाम्। ब्राह्मणानां महाभाग वेदाध्ययनशालिनाम्।।1.50.3।। ऋषिवाटाश्च दृश्यन्ते शकटीशतसङ्कुला:। देशो विधीयतां ब्रह्मन् यत्र वत्स्यामहे वयम्।।1.50.4।।

bahūnīha sahasrāṇi nānādeśanivāsinām| brāhmaṇānāṃ mahābhāga vedādhyayanaśālinām ṛṣivāṭāśca dṛśyante śakaṭīśatasaṅkulā:| deśo vidhīyatāṃ brahman yatra vatsyāmahe vayam

O Illustrious sage thousands of brahmins living in different countries and versed in the study of the vedas have assembled here. The shelters for ascetics are thronged with hundreds of carts. O Great ascetic let us choose a place where we can stay.

बहूनीह सहस्राणि नानादेशनिवासिनाम्। ब्राह्मणानां महाभाग वेदाध्ययनशालिनाम्।।1.50.3।। ऋषिवाटाश्च दृश्यन्ते शकटीशतसङ्कुला:। देशो विधीयतां ब्रह्मन् यत्र वत्स्यामहे वयम्।।1.50.4।।

bahūnīha sahasrāṇi nānādeśanivāsinām| brāhmaṇānāṃ mahābhāga vedādhyayanaśālinām ṛṣivāṭāśca dṛśyante śakaṭīśatasaṅkulā:| deśo vidhīyatāṃ brahman yatra vatsyāmahe vayam

O Illustrious sage thousands of brahmins living in different countries and versed in the study of the vedas have assembled here. The shelters for ascetics are thronged with hundreds of carts. O Great ascetic let us choose a place where we can stay.

रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:। निवेशमकरोद्देशे विविक्ते सलिलायुते।।1.50.5।।

rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā viśvāmitro mahāmuni:| niveśamakaroddeśe vivikte salilāyute

Great ascetic Viswamitra, hearing Rama's words, chose a nottoocrowded place near a watersource for encampment.

विश्वामित्रमनुप्राप्तं श्रुत्वा स नृपतिस्तदा। शतानन्दं पुरस्कृत्य पुरोहितमनिन्दितम्।।1.50.6।। प्रत्युज्जगाम सहसा विनयेन समन्वित:।

viśvāmitramanuprāptaṃ śrutvā sa nṛpatistadā| śatānandaṃ puraskṛtya purohitamaninditam pratyujjagāma sahasā vinayena samanvita:|

When the king heard of the arrival of Viswamitra he went forward with Satananda, the blemishless family priest walking ahead in order to welcome him with humility.

ऋत्विजोऽपि महात्मानस्त्वर्घ्यमादाय सत्वरम्।।1.50.7।। विश्वामित्राय धर्मेण ददुर्मंन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्।

ṛtvijo'pi mahātmānastvarghyamādāya satvaram viśvāmitrāya dharmeṇa dadurmaṃntrapuraskṛtam|

Eminent officiating priests speedily brought the offerings of worship and paid obeisance to Viswamitra with prayers.

प्रतिगृह्य च तां पूजां जनकस्य महात्मन:।।1.50.8।। पप्रच्छ कुशलं राज्ञो यज्ञस्य च निरामयम्।

pratigṛhya ca tāṃ pūjāṃ janakasya mahātmana: papraccha kuśalaṃ rājño yajñasya ca nirāmayam|

Viswamitra received illustrious king Janaka's worship and enquired about the welfare of the king and the conduct of the sacrifice.

स तांश्चापि मुनीन् पृष्ट्वा सोपाध्यायपुरोधस:।।1.50.9।। यथान्यायं ततस्सर्वैस्समागच्छत्प्रहृष्टवत्।

sa tāṃścāpi munīn pṛṣṭvā sopādhyāyapurodhasa: yathānyāyaṃ tatassarvaissamāgacchatprahṛṣṭavat|

Viswamitra duly enquired the wellbeing of the sages and the spiritual teachers, priests in right order. And thereafter the rest joined them in great delight.

अथ राजा मुनिश्रेष्ठं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत।।1.50.10।। आसने भगवानास्तां सहैभिर्मुनिपुङ्गवै:।

atha rājā muniśreṣṭhaṃ kṛtāñjalirabhāṣata āsane bhagavānāstāṃ sahaibhirmunipuṅgavai:|

The king then folded his hands in supplication to the foremost of ascetics, Viswamitra, saying "O Venerable one please be seated along with the eminent ascetics."

जनकस्य वचश्श्रुत्वा निषसाद महामुनि:।।1.50.11।। पुरोधा ऋत्विजश्चैव राजा च सह मन्त्रिभि:।

janakasya vacaśśrutvā niṣasāda mahāmuni: purodhā ṛtvijaścaiva rājā ca saha mantribhi:|

In response to Janaka's words, great sage Viswamitra occupied his seat. Thereafter the family priests, officiationg priests of the sacrifice, counsellors and also the king occupied their seats according to their rank.

आसनेषु यथान्यायमुपविष्टान् समन्तत:।।1.50.12।। दृष्ट्वा स नृपतिस्तत्र विश्वामित्रमथाब्रवीत्।

āsaneṣu yathānyāyamupaviṣṭān samantata: dṛṣṭvā sa nṛpatistatra viśvāmitramathābravīt|

Thereafter the king looked on all sides and saw all of them seated according to their rank and addressed Viswamitra saying:

अद्य यज्ञसमृध्दिर्मे सफला दैवतै: कृता।।1.50.13।। अद्य यज्ञफलं प्राप्तं भगवद्दर्शनान्मया।

adya yajñasamṛdhdirme saphalā daivatai: kṛtā adya yajñaphalaṃ prāptaṃ bhagavaddarśanānmayā|

"Today my sacrifice has been rendered fruitful by the devatas. I have reaped the fruit of my sacrifice today by your venerable presence.

धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यस्य मे मुनिपुङ्गव।।1.50.14।। यज्ञोपसदनं ब्रह्मन् प्राप्तोऽसि मुनिभि: सह।

dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi yasya me munipuṅgava yajñopasadanaṃ brahman prāpto'si munibhi: saha|

O Preeminent among ascetics O brahmana you have come to my sacrificial mandap along with these ascetics Blessed am I Obliged am I.

द्वादशाहं तु ब्रह्मर्षे शेषमाहुर्मनीषिण:।।1.50.15।। ततो भागार्थिनो देवान् द्रष्टुमर्हसि कौशिक।

dvādaśāhaṃ tu brahmarṣe śeṣamāhurmanīṣiṇa: tato bhāgārthino devān draṣṭumarhasi kauśika|

O Brahmarshi learned men say, only twelve days remain for completion of this acrifice. Thereafter O Viswamitra you should see devatas claiming their shares".

इत्युक्त्वा मुनिशार्दूलं प्रहृष्टवदनस्तदा।।1.50.16।। पुनस्तं परिपप्रच्छ प्राञ्जलि: प्रणतो नृप:।

ityuktvā muniśārdūlaṃ prahṛṣṭavadanastadā punastaṃ paripapraccha prāñjali: praṇato nṛpa:|

Having said this, the king (Janaka) with a cheerful countenance and saluting with folded palms again asked that tiger among ascetics (Viswamitra):

इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ।।1.50.17।। गजसिंहगती वीरौ शार्दूलवृषभोपमौ। पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षौ खड्गतूणीधनुर्धरौ।।1.50.18।। अश्विनाविव रूपेण समुपस्थितयौवनौ। यदृच्छयैव गां प्राप्तौ देवलोकादिवामरौ।।1.50.19।। कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने।

imau kumārau bhadraṃ te devatulyaparākramau gajasiṃhagatī vīrau śārdūlavṛṣabhopamau| padmapatraviśālākṣau khaḍgatūṇīdhanurdharau aśvināviva rūpeṇa samupasthitayauvanau| yadṛcchayaiva gāṃ prāptau devalokādivāmarau kathaṃ padbhyāmiha prāptau kimarthaṃ kasya vā mune|

"O Sage (Viswamitra), be blessed. Who are these two young men with the prowess of the celestials the gait of an elephant or a lion? They resemble a tiger or a bull in courage. They have large eyes like lotuspetals. They are armed with scimitars bows and quivers. With their approaching youth, they resemble the Aswinikumaras in beauty. They look like gods who have descended on earth from heaven out of their free will. Whose sons are they? How did they come here on foot? And for what purpose?

इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ।।1.50.17।। गजसिंहगती वीरौ शार्दूलवृषभोपमौ। पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षौ खड्गतूणीधनुर्धरौ।।1.50.18।। अश्विनाविव रूपेण समुपस्थितयौवनौ। यदृच्छयैव गां प्राप्तौ देवलोकादिवामरौ।।1.50.19।। कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने।

imau kumārau bhadraṃ te devatulyaparākramau gajasiṃhagatī vīrau śārdūlavṛṣabhopamau| padmapatraviśālākṣau khaḍgatūṇīdhanurdharau aśvināviva rūpeṇa samupasthitayauvanau| yadṛcchayaiva gāṃ prāptau devalokādivāmarau kathaṃ padbhyāmiha prāptau kimarthaṃ kasya vā mune|

"O Sage (Viswamitra), be blessed. Who are these two young men with the prowess of the celestials the gait of an elephant or a lion? They resemble a tiger or a bull in courage. They have large eyes like lotuspetals. They are armed with scimitars bows and quivers. With their approaching youth, they resemble the Aswinikumaras in beauty. They look like gods who have descended on earth from heaven out of their free will. Whose sons are they? How did they come here on foot? And for what purpose?

इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ।।1.50.17।। गजसिंहगती वीरौ शार्दूलवृषभोपमौ। पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षौ खड्गतूणीधनुर्धरौ।।1.50.18।। अश्विनाविव रूपेण समुपस्थितयौवनौ। यदृच्छयैव गां प्राप्तौ देवलोकादिवामरौ।।1.50.19।। कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने।

imau kumārau bhadraṃ te devatulyaparākramau gajasiṃhagatī vīrau śārdūlavṛṣabhopamau| padmapatraviśālākṣau khaḍgatūṇīdhanurdharau aśvināviva rūpeṇa samupasthitayauvanau| yadṛcchayaiva gāṃ prāptau devalokādivāmarau kathaṃ padbhyāmiha prāptau kimarthaṃ kasya vā mune|

"O Sage (Viswamitra), be blessed. Who are these two young men with the prowess of the celestials the gait of an elephant or a lion? They resemble a tiger or a bull in courage. They have large eyes like lotuspetals. They are armed with scimitars bows and quivers. With their approaching youth, they resemble the Aswinikumaras in beauty. They look like gods who have descended on earth from heaven out of their free will. Whose sons are they? How did they come here on foot? And for what purpose?

वरायुधधरौ वीरौ कस्य पुत्रौ महामुने।।1.50.20।। भूषयन्ताविमं देशं चन्द्रसूर्याविवाम्बरम्। परस्परस्य सदृशौ प्रमाणेङ्गितचेष्टितै:।।1.50.21।। काकपक्षधरौ वीरौ श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वत:।

varāyudhadharau vīrau kasya putrau mahāmune bhūṣayantāvimaṃ deśaṃ candrasūryāvivāmbaram| parasparasya sadṛśau pramāṇeṅgitaceṣṭitai: kākapakṣadharau vīrau śrotumicchāmi tattvata:|

Great ascetic, these two young men with hair falling on their temples like the wings of a crow, each of them resemble the other in personality, expressions and gestures. Wielding excellent weapons they adorn this land like the Moon and the Sun deck the sky. Whose sons are they? I wish truly to hear about these heroes".

वरायुधधरौ वीरौ कस्य पुत्रौ महामुने।।1.50.20।। भूषयन्ताविमं देशं चन्द्रसूर्याविवाम्बरम्। परस्परस्य सदृशौ प्रमाणेङ्गितचेष्टितै:।।1.50.21।। काकपक्षधरौ वीरौ श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वत:।

varāyudhadharau vīrau kasya putrau mahāmune bhūṣayantāvimaṃ deśaṃ candrasūryāvivāmbaram| parasparasya sadṛśau pramāṇeṅgitaceṣṭitai: kākapakṣadharau vīrau śrotumicchāmi tattvata:|

Great ascetic, these two young men with hair falling on their temples like the wings of a crow, each of them resemble the other in personality, expressions and gestures. Wielding excellent weapons they adorn this land like the Moon and the Sun deck the sky. Whose sons are they? I wish truly to hear about these heroes".

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जनकस्य महात्मन:।।1.50.22।। न्यवेदयन्महात्मानौ पुत्रौ दशरथस्य तौ।

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā janakasya mahātmana: nyavedayanmahātmānau putrau daśarathasya tau|

Hearing the words of the magnanimous Janaka, Viswamitra presented them to him saying that they were the illustrious sons of Dasaratha.

सिद्धाश्रमनिवासं च राक्षसानां वधं तथा।।1.50.23।। तच्चागमनमव्यग्रं विशालायाश्च दर्शनम्। अहल्यादर्शनं चैव गौतमेन समागमम्।।1.50.24।। महाधनुषि जिज्ञासां कर्तुमागमनं तथा। एतत्सर्वं महातेजा जनकाय महात्मने ।।1.50.25।। निवेद्य विररामाथ विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:।

siddhāśramanivāsaṃ ca rākṣasānāṃ vadhaṃ tathā taccāgamanamavyagraṃ viśālāyāśca darśanam| ahalyādarśanaṃ caiva gautamena samāgamam mahādhanuṣi jijñāsāṃ kartumāgamanaṃ tathā| etatsarvaṃ mahātejā janakāya mahātmane nivedya virarāmātha viśvāmitro mahāmuni:|

The great ascetic Viswamitra, who was highly powerful related to the distinguished Janaka in full their undaunted journey to Siddhashrama and the slaughter of rakshasas there, the view of the city of Vishala, meeting with Ahalya and Gautama and the inquisitiveness about the great bow which brought them to Mithila and then kept quiet. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाणडे पञ्चाशस्सर्ग:।। Thus ends the fiftieth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.