Uttara Kanda, Sarga 1

प्राप्तराज्यस्य रामस्य राक्षसानां वधे कृते । आजग्मुर्ऋषयः सर्वे राघवं प्रतिनन्दितुम् ।। 7.1.1 ।।

prāptarājyasya rāmasya rākṣasānāṃ vadhe kṛte | ājagmurṛṣayaḥ sarve rāghavaṃ pratinanditum || 7.1.1 ||

After Rama had attained his kingdom and the destruction of the Rakshasas was accomplished, all the sages came to congratulate Raghava.

कौशिको ऽथ यवक्रीतो गार्ग्यो गालव एव च । कण्वो मेधातिथेः पुत्रः पूर्वस्यां दिशि ये श्रिताः ।। 7.1.2 ।।

kauśiko 'tha yavakrīto gārgyo gālava eva ca | kaṇvo medhātitheḥ putraḥ pūrvasyāṃ diśi ye śritāḥ || 7.1.2 ||

Kaushika, Yavakrita, Gargya, Galava, and Kanva, the son of Medhatithi, who resided in the eastern direction, also arrived.

स्वस्त्यात्रेयो ऽथ भगवान्नमुचिः प्रमुचिस्तथा । आजग्मुस्ते सहागस्त्या ये श्रिता दक्षिणां दिशम् ।। 7.1.3 ।।

svastyātreyo 'tha bhagavānnamuciḥ pramucistathā | ājagmuste sahāgastyā ye śritā dakṣiṇāṃ diśam || 7.1.3 ||

Svastyatreya, the revered Namuchi, and Pramuchi, along with Agastya, who resided in the southern direction, also came.

नृषद्गुः कवषो धौम्यो रौद्रेयश्च महानृषिः । ते ऽप्याजग्मुः सशिष्या वै ये श्रिताः पश्चिमां दिशम् ।। 7.1.4 ।।

nṛṣadguḥ kavaṣo dhaumyo raudreyaśca mahānṛṣiḥ | te 'pyājagmuḥ saśiṣyā vai ye śritāḥ paścimāṃ diśam || 7.1.4 ||

Nṛṣadgu, Kavaṣa, Dhaumya, and the great sage Raudreya, who resided in the western direction, also came with their disciples.

वसिष्ठः कश्यपो ऽथात्रिर्विश्वामित्रः सगौतमः । जमदग्निर्भरद्वाजस्ते ऽपि सप्तर्षयस्तथा ।। 7.1.5 ।।

vasiṣṭhaḥ kaśyapo 'thātrirviśvāmitraḥ sagautamaḥ | jamadagnirbharadvājaste 'pi saptarṣayastathā || 7.1.5 ||

Vasishtha, Kashyapa, Atri, Vishwamitra with Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadvaja, who are also known as the Saptarshis, were among those who arrived.

उदीच्यां दिशि सप्तैते नित्यमेव निवासिनः ।। 7.1.6 ।।

udīcyāṃ diśi saptaite nityameva nivāsinaḥ || 7.1.6 ||

These seven sages are permanent residents in the northern direction.

सम्प्राप्य ते महात्मानो राघवस्य निवेशनम् । विष्टिताः प्रतिहारार्थं हुताशनसमप्रभाः । वेदवेदाङ्गविदुषो नानाशास्त्रविशारदाः ।। 7.1.7 ।।

samprāpya te mahātmāno rāghavasya niveśanam | viṣṭitāḥ pratihārārthaṃ hutāśanasamaprabhāḥ | vedavedāṅgaviduṣo nānāśāstraviśāradāḥ || 7.1.7 ||

Having arrived at Rama's palace, those great souls, shining like fire, knowledgeable in the Vedas, Vedangas, and various scriptures, stood at the gate as guards.

द्वाःस्थं प्रोवाच धर्मात्मा अगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः । निवेद्यतां दाशरथेर्ऋषीनस्मान्समागतान् ।। 7.1.8 ।।

dvāḥsthaṃ provāca dharmātmā agastyo munisattamaḥ | nivedyatāṃ dāśaratherṛṣīnasmānsamāgatān || 7.1.8 ||

The righteous Agastya, the best of sages, spoke to the doorkeeper, instructing him to announce their arrival to Rama, the son of Dasharatha.

प्रतीहारस्ततस्तूर्णमगस्त्यवचनाद्द्रुतम् । समीपं राघवस्याशु प्रविवेश महात्मनः ।। 7.1.9 ।।

pratīhārastatastūrṇamagastyavacanāddrutam | samīpaṃ rāghavasyāśu praviveśa mahātmanaḥ || 7.1.9 ||

Then, the doorkeeper, swiftly and quickly, entered the presence of the great-souled Rama, following Agastya's words.

नयेङ्गितज्ञः सद्वृत्तो दक्षो धैर्यसमन्वितः । स रामं दृश्य सहसा पूर्णचन्द्रसमप्रभम् ।। 7.1.10 ।।

nayeṅgitajñaḥ sadvṛtto dakṣo dhairyasamanvitaḥ | sa rāmaṃ dṛśya sahasā pūrṇacandrasamaprabham || 7.1.10 ||

He, who was skilled in policy and gestures, of good conduct, efficient, and endowed with courage, immediately saw Rama, who shone like the full moon.

अगस्त्यं कथयामास सम्प्राप्तमृषिभिः सह ।। 7.1.11 ।।

agastyaṃ kathayāmāsa samprāptamṛṣibhiḥ saha || 7.1.11 ||

He informed (Rama) that Agastya had arrived along with other sages.

श्रुत्वा प्राप्तान्मुनींस्तांस्तु बालसूर्यसमप्रभान् । प्रत्युवाच ततो द्वास्स्थं प्रवेशय यथासुखम् ।। 7.1.12 ।।

śrutvā prāptānmunīṃstāṃstu bālasūryasamaprabhān | pratyuvāca tato dvāssthaṃ praveśaya yathāsukham || 7.1.12 ||

Having heard that those sages, radiant like the morning sun, had arrived, Rama then replied to the doorkeeper, instructing him to admit them comfortably.

तान् सम्प्राप्तान् मुनीन् दृष्ट्वा प्रत्युत्थाय कृताञ्जलिः । पाद्यार्घ्यादिभिरानर्च गां निवेद्य च सादरम् ।। 7.1.13 ।।

tān samprāptān munīn dṛṣṭvā pratyutthāya kṛtāñjaliḥ | pādyārghyādibhirānarca gāṃ nivedya ca sādaram || 7.1.13 ||

Having seen those arrived sages, Rama rose to greet them with folded hands, honored them with water for their feet and other offerings, and respectfully presented a cow.

रामो ऽभिवाद्य प्रयत आसनान्यादिदेश ह । तेषु काञ्चनचित्रेषु महत्सु च वरेषु च ।। 7.1.14 ।।

rāmo 'bhivādya prayata āsanānyādideśa ha | teṣu kāñcanacitreṣu mahatsu ca vareṣu ca || 7.1.14 ||

Rama, having saluted them with a composed mind, indeed offered them seats that were great, excellent, and adorned with gold.

कुशान्तर्धानदत्तेषु मृगचर्मयुतेषु च । यथार्हमुपविष्टास्ते आसनेष्वृषिपुङ्गवाः ।। 7.1.15 ।।

kuśāntardhānadatteṣu mṛgacarmayuteṣu ca | yathārhamupaviṣṭāste āsaneṣvṛṣipuṅgavāḥ || 7.1.15 ||

The foremost among sages then sat appropriately on those seats, which were provided with kusha grass underneath and furnished with deer skins.

रामेण कुशलं पृष्टाः सशिष्याः सपुरोगमाः । महर्षयो वेदविदो रामं वचनमब्रुवन् ।। 7.1.16 ।।

rāmeṇa kuśalaṃ pṛṣṭāḥ saśiṣyāḥ sapurogamāḥ | maharṣayo vedavido rāmaṃ vacanamabruvan || 7.1.16 ||

When Rama inquired about their well-being, the great sages, who were knowers of the Vedas and accompanied by their disciples and prominent members, spoke these words to him.

कुशलं नो महाबाहो सर्वत्र रघुनन्दन । त्वां तु दिष्ट्या कुशलिनं पश्यामो हतशात्रवम् ।। 7.1.17 ।।

kuśalaṃ no mahābāho sarvatra raghunandana | tvāṃ tu diṣṭyā kuśalinaṃ paśyāmo hataśātravam || 7.1.17 ||

The sages replied that they were well everywhere, O mighty-armed Rama, and they were fortunate to see him safe and with his enemies slain.

दिष्ट्या त्वया हतो राजन्रावणो लोकरावणः । न हि भारः स ते राम रावणः पुत्रपौत्रवान् ।। 7.1.18 ।।

diṣṭyā tvayā hato rājanrāvaṇo lokarāvaṇaḥ | na hi bhāraḥ sa te rāma rāvaṇaḥ putrapautravān || 7.1.18 ||

O King, it is fortunate that you have slain Ravana, who tormented the worlds, for indeed, even with his sons and grandsons, he was no match for you, O Rama.

सधनुस्त्वं हि लोकांस्त्रीन्विजयेथा न संशयः । दिष्ट्या त्वया हतो राम रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः ।। 7.1.19 ।।

sadhanustvaṃ hi lokāṃstrīnvijayethā na saṃśayaḥ | diṣṭyā tvayā hato rāma rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ || 7.1.19 ||

There is no doubt that you, with your bow, could indeed conquer the three worlds, and it is fortunate, O Rama, that you have slain Ravana, the lord of the Rakshasas.

दिष्ट्या विजयिनं त्वाद्य पश्यामः सह सीतया । लक्ष्मणेन च धर्मात्मन्भ्रात्रा त्वद्धितकारिणा ।। 7.1.20 ।।

diṣṭyā vijayinaṃ tvādya paśyāmaḥ saha sītayā | lakṣmaṇena ca dharmātmanbhrātrā tvaddhitakāriṇā || 7.1.20 ||

O righteous one, it is fortunate that today we see you victorious, accompanied by Sita and by Lakshmana, your brother who always acts for your welfare.

मातृभिर्भ्रातृसहितं पश्यामो ऽद्य वयं नृप । दिष्ट्या प्रहस्तो विकटो विरूपाक्षो महोदरः । अकम्पनश्च दुर्धर्षो निहतास्ते निशाचराः ।। 7.1.21 ।।

mātṛbhirbhrātṛsahitaṃ paśyāmo 'dya vayaṃ nṛpa | diṣṭyā prahasto vikaṭo virūpākṣo mahodaraḥ | akampanaśca durdharṣo nihatāste niśācarāḥ || 7.1.21 ||

O King, we are fortunate to see you today with our mothers and brothers, and it is by good fortune that those demons Prahasta, Vikata, Virupaksha, Mahodara, Akampana, and Durdharsha have been killed.

यस्य प्रमाणाद्विपुलं प्रमाणं नेह विद्यते । दिष्ट्या ते समरे राम कुम्भकर्णो निपातितः ।। 7.1.22 ।।

yasya pramāṇādvipulaṃ pramāṇaṃ neha vidyate | diṣṭyā te samare rāma kumbhakarṇo nipātitaḥ || 7.1.22 ||

O Rama, it is by good fortune that you have struck down Kumbhakarna in battle, whose immense size has no equal in this world.

त्रिशिराश्चातिकायश्च देवान्तकनरान्तकौ । दिष्ट्या ते निहता राम महावीर्या निशाचराः ।। 7.1.23 ।।

triśirāścātikāyaśca devāntakanarāntakau | diṣṭyā te nihatā rāma mahāvīryā niśācarāḥ || 7.1.23 ||

O Rama, it is by good fortune that you have killed those extremely powerful demons Trishira, Atikaya, Devantaka, and Narantaka.

कुम्भश्चैव निकुम्भश्च राक्षसौ भीमदर्शनौ । दिष्ट्या तौ निहतौ राम कुम्भकर्णसुतौ मृधे ।। 7.1.24 ।।

kumbhaścaiva nikumbhaśca rākṣasau bhīmadarśanau | diṣṭyā tau nihatau rāma kumbhakarṇasutau mṛdhe || 7.1.24 ||

O Rama, it is by good fortune that you have killed Kumbha and Nikumbha, the two sons of Kumbhakarna who were of terrible appearance, in battle.

युद्धोन्मत्तश्च मत्तश्च कालान्तकयमोपमौ । यज्ञकोपश्च बलवान्धूम्राक्षो नाम राक्षसः ।। 7.1.25 ।।

yuddhonmattaśca mattaśca kālāntakayamopamau | yajñakopaśca balavāndhūmrākṣo nāma rākṣasaḥ || 7.1.25 ||

This shloka continues the list of formidable demons, including Yuddhonmatta and Matta who were like Kala and Yama, along with Yajnakopa and the powerful demon named Dhumraksha, whose defeat is being celebrated.

कुर्वन्तः कदनं घोरमेते शस्त्रास्त्रपारगाः । अन्तकप्रतिमैर्बाणैर्दिष्ट्या विनिहतास्त्वया ।। 7.1.26 ।।

kurvantaḥ kadanaṃ ghoramete śastrāstrapāragāḥ | antakapratimairbāṇairdiṣṭyā vinihatāstvayā || 7.1.26 ||

Fortunately, these masters of weapons and missiles, who were causing terrible slaughter, have been killed by you with arrows resembling those of Yama.

दिष्ट्या त्वं राक्षसेन्द्रेण द्वन्द्वयुद्धमुपागतः । देवतानामवध्येन विजयं प्राप्तवानसि ।। 7.1.27 ।।

diṣṭyā tvaṃ rākṣasendreṇa dvandvayuddhamupāgataḥ | devatānāmavadhyena vijayaṃ prāptavānasi || 7.1.27 ||

Fortunately, you engaged in a duel with the king of Rakshasas, who was invincible even to the gods, and you have achieved victory.

सङ्ख्ये तस्य न किञ्चित्तु रावणस्य पराभवः । द्वन्द्वयुद्धमनुप्राप्तो दिष्ट्या ते रावणिर्हतः ।। 7.1.28 ।।

saṅkhye tasya na kiñcittu rāvaṇasya parābhavaḥ | dvandvayuddhamanuprāpto diṣṭyā te rāvaṇirhataḥ || 7.1.28 ||

There was no defeat for Ravana in battle, but fortunately, having engaged in a duel, Ravana's son (Indrajit) has been killed by you.

दिष्ट्या तस्य महाबाहो कालस्येवाभिधावतः । मुक्तः सुररिपोर्वीर प्राप्तश्च विजयस्त्वया ।। 7.1.29 ।।

diṣṭyā tasya mahābāho kālasyevābhidhāvataḥ | muktaḥ surariporvīra prāptaśca vijayastvayā || 7.1.29 ||

O mighty-armed hero, fortunately, you have been freed from that enemy of the gods who was rushing like death itself, and victory has been achieved by you.

अभिनन्दाम ते सर्वे संश्रुत्येन्द्रजितो वधम् । सो ऽवध्यः सर्वभूतानां महामायाधरो युधि ।। 7.1.30 ।।

abhinandāma te sarve saṃśrutyendrajito vadham | so 'vadhyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ mahāmāyādharo yudhi || 7.1.30 ||

All of us congratulate you upon hearing of Indrajit's death, for he was invincible to all beings and a master of great illusion in battle.

विस्मयस्त्वेष चास्माकं तच्छ्रुत्वेन्द्रजितं हतम् ।। 7.1.31 ।।

vismayastveṣa cāsmākaṃ tacchrutvendrajitaṃ hatam || 7.1.31 ||

This is indeed our great wonder, having heard that Indrajit was killed.

एते चान्ये च बहवो राक्षसाः कामरूपिणः । दिष्ट्या त्वया हता वीरा रघूणां कुलवर्द्धन ।। 7.1.32 ।।

ete cānye ca bahavo rākṣasāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ | diṣṭyā tvayā hatā vīrā raghūṇāṃ kulavarddhana || 7.1.32 ||

Fortunately, O enhancer of the Raghu lineage, these and many other valiant form-changing demons have been slain by you.

दत्त्वा पुण्यामिमां वीर सौम्यामभयदक्षिणाम् ।। दिष्ट्या वर्धसि काकुत्स्थ जयेनामित्रकर्शन ।। 7.1.33 ।।

dattvā puṇyāmimāṃ vīra saumyāmabhayadakṣiṇām || diṣṭyā vardhasi kākutstha jayenāmitrakarśana || 7.1.33 ||

O hero, destroyer of enemies, having granted this sacred and benevolent gift of fearlessness, you fortunately prosper with victory, O Kakutstha.

श्रुत्वा तु तेषां वचनमृषीणां भावितात्मनाम् । विस्मयं परमं गत्वा रामः प्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत् ।। 7.1.34 ।।

śrutvā tu teṣāṃ vacanamṛṣīṇāṃ bhāvitātmanām | vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā rāmaḥ prāñjalirabravīt || 7.1.34 ||

Having heard the words of those pure-souled sages, Rama, filled with great astonishment, spoke with folded hands.

भगवन्तः कुम्भकर्णं रावणं च निशाचरम् । अतिक्रम्य महावीर्यौ किं प्रशंसथ रावणिम् ।। 7.1.35 ।।

bhagavantaḥ kumbhakarṇaṃ rāvaṇaṃ ca niśācaram | atikramya mahāvīryau kiṃ praśaṃsatha rāvaṇim || 7.1.35 ||

O revered ones, having overcome the greatly valorous Kumbhakarna and the night-wandering Ravana, why do you praise Ravana's son (Indrajit)?

महोदरं प्रहस्तं च विरूपाक्षं च राक्षसम् । मत्तोन्मत्तौ च दुर्धर्षौ देवान्तकनरान्तकौ ।।

mahodaraṃ prahastaṃ ca virūpākṣaṃ ca rākṣasam | mattonmattau ca durdharṣau devāntakanarāntakau ||

This shloka lists several powerful demons: Mahodara, Prahasta, Virupaksha, Matta, Unmatta, Devantaka, and Narantaka, all of whom are formidable.

अतिक्रम्य महावीर्यान् किं प्रशंसथ रावणिम् ।। 7.1.36 ।।

atikramya mahāvīryān kiṃ praśaṃsatha rāvaṇim || 7.1.36 ||

The speaker questions why they are praising Indrajit, having overlooked other greatly valorous warriors.

अतिकायं त्रिशिरसं धूम्राक्षं च निशाचरम् । अतिक्रम्य महावीर्यान्किं प्रशंसथ रावणिम् ।। 7.1.37 ।।

atikāyaṃ triśirasaṃ dhūmrākṣaṃ ca niśācaram | atikramya mahāvīryānkiṃ praśaṃsatha rāvaṇim || 7.1.37 ||

The speaker wonders why they praise Indrajit, having disregarded other mighty demons like Atikaya, Trishiras, and Dhumraksha.

कीदृशो वै प्रभावो ऽस्य किं बलं कः पराक्रमः । केन वा कारणेनैष रावणादतिरिच्यते ।। 7.1.38 ।।

kīdṛśo vai prabhāvo 'sya kiṃ balaṃ kaḥ parākramaḥ | kena vā kāraṇenaiṣa rāvaṇādatiricyate || 7.1.38 ||

The speaker asks about Indrajit's power, strength, and prowess, and by what reason he is considered superior to Ravana himself.

शक्यं यदि मया श्रोतुं न खल्वाज्ञापयामि वः । यदि गुह्यं न चेद्वक्तुं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथ्यताम् ।। 7.1.39 ।।

śakyaṃ yadi mayā śrotuṃ na khalvājñāpayāmi vaḥ | yadi guhyaṃ na cedvaktuṃ śrotumicchāmi kathyatām || 7.1.39 ||

The speaker states that if it is possible for him to hear, he is not commanding them, but if it is not a secret to be spoken, he wishes to hear it, so it should be told.

शक्रो ऽपि विजितस्तेन कथं लब्धवरश्च सः । कथं च बलवानन्पुत्रो न पिता तस्य रावणः ।। 7.1.40 ।।

śakro 'pi vijitastena kathaṃ labdhavaraśca saḥ | kathaṃ ca balavānanputro na pitā tasya rāvaṇaḥ || 7.1.40 ||

Rama asks how Ravana conquered Indra and obtained boons, and how this powerful son (Ravana) is not like his father (in terms of power or nature).

कथं पितुश्चाभ्यधिको महाहवे शक्रस्य जेता हि कथं स राक्षसः । वराश्च लब्धाः कथयस्व मे ऽद्य तत्पृच्छतश्चास्य मुनीन्द्र सर्वम् ।। 7.1.41 ।।

kathaṃ pituścābhyadhiko mahāhave śakrasya jetā hi kathaṃ sa rākṣasaḥ | varāśca labdhāḥ kathayasva me 'dya tatpṛcchataścāsya munīndra sarvam || 7.1.41 ||

Rama further inquires how that Rakshasa (Ravana) became superior to his father, how he conquered Indra in a great battle, and how he obtained boons, requesting the sage to explain everything to him who is asking. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे प्रथमः सर्गः ।। 1 ।। Thus ends the first sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.