Aranya Kanda, Sarga 1

Meaning

Having entered the dense forest of Daṇḍaka, the self-controlled and unassailable Śrī Rāma saw a group of hermitages of sages. (1)

Meaning

With the sacred Kuśa grass and bark-garments scattered all around, nay, enveloped in grandeur of the knowledge of Brahma, looking like the dazzling orb of the sun in the sky, difficult to look at, the resort of all beings, with courtyards always well-swept, crowded with several wild beasts and swarmed with groups of birds, always revered and admired with dance by teams of celestial nymphs, decorated with large fire-sanctuaries, sacrificial utensils, skin-carpets, blades of the Kuśa grass and faggots, vessels of water and fruits and roots, surrounded by large sacred forest-trees having sweet fruits, worshipped with oblations and sacrifices, auspicious, resounding with the chanting of Vedic hymns, having ponds with lotuses and scattered all over with other flowers, inhabited by old sages of controlled senses, living on fruits and roots, wearing garments of bark and the skin of black antelopes and shining like the sun and fire, and graced by the greatest of sages auspicious and restrained in diet; it shone like the residence of Lord Brahmā resounding with the chanting to Vedic hymns. (2—8)

Meaning

Seeing that group of hermitages of sages, adorned with highly blessed Brāhmaṇas, knowers of Brahma, the glorious and highly lustrous Rāma removed the string of his great bow and entered into the hermitages. Then, beholding Rāma, those great sages possessed of divine knowledge approached him and the renowned Vaidehī with pleasure. They saw him given to the practice of virtue and charming like the rising moon and also Lakṣmaṇa and Vaidehī of renown and, being firm observers of vows, welcomed them performing auspicious rites. The forest-dwellers saw with amazement the handsome build of the body, grandeur, tenderness and ascetic dress of Rāma. (9—13)

Meaning

All those forest dwellers saw Vaidehī, the princess of Videha country, Lakṣmaṇa and Rāma as a wonder with eyes as though steady. (14)

Meaning

Here, indeed, the highly fortunate sages, taking delight in the good of all beings, lodged the scion of Raghu as a guest in a hut made of leaves. (15)

Meaning

Then, honouring Rāma with traditional rites, the fire-like righteous sages of great fortune offered water. (16)

Meaning

Performing auspicious rites with great delight the magnanimous sages offered roots, flowers, fruits and even the whole hermitage and those knowers of the righteous customs, with joined palms, said, “The king being the protector of righteousness and also the resort for these people, famous, revered and respectable holder of the staff of justice, worshipful and the fourth part of Indra himself, protects the subjects, O scion of Raghu ! (17—19)

Meaning

“It is hence that the king, who is saluted by all, enjoys the foremost, delightful pleasures. We being the residents of your kingdom deserve protection by you. Whether staying in the city or in the forest, you, the lord of the people, are our king. (20)

Meaning

“Having given up punishment, controlled anger and conquered the senses and having the wealth of asceticism, we should always be protected by you as a foetus by the mother.” (21)

Meaning

Thus speaking, they entertained the scion of Raghu, Śrī Rāma and Sītā, together with Lakṣmaṇa, with fruits, roots, flowers and several other forest-products. (22)

Meaning

Similarly, other hermits, well-accomplished, comparable with fire and following a just tradition honoured Lord Rāma in accordance with the custom. (23)