---
title: "Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/ayodhya-kanda/sarga-1"
lang: "en"
---

# Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 1

> गच्छता मातुलकुलं भरतेन तदानघः।  
> शत्रुघ्नो नित्यशत्रुघ्नो नीतः प्रीतिपुरस्कृतः॥ १॥

(As has already been stated in verses 17—19 of the foregoing Canto) the sinless Śatrughna, the destroyer of the lasting enemies (concupiscence etc.), was taken away on that occasion by Bharata while the latter was proceeding to his maternal uncle’s home, full of affection as he (Śatrughna) was for Bharata. (1)

> स तत्र न्यवसद् भ्रात्रा सह सत्कारसत्कृतः।  
> मातुलेनाश्वपतिना पुत्रस्नेहेन लालितः॥ २॥

Entertained with hospitality by his maternal uncle, Yudhājit, an owner of horses, and fondled with parental affection, he tarried there (in his maternal grandfather’s house) with his younger brother, Śatrughna. (2)

> तत्रापि निवसन्तौ तौ तर्प्यमाणौ च कामतः।  
> भ्रातरौ स्मरतां वीरौ वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्॥ ३॥

Continuing there and even though being gratified with desired objects, the two gallant brothers thought of their aged father, King Daśaratha. (3)

> राजापि तौ महातेजाः सस्मार प्रोषितौ सुतौ।  
> उभौ भरतशत्रुघ्नौ महेन्द्रवरुणोपमौ॥ ४॥

The highly glorious Emperor too remembered both his aforesaid sons, Bharata and Śatrughna, who vied severally with the mighty Indra, the ruler of gods, and Varuṇa, the god presiding over the waters, and were away from their home. (4)

> सर्व एव तु तस्येष्टाश्चत्वारः पुरुषर्षभाः।  
> स्वशरीराद् विनिर्वृत्ताश्चत्वार इव बाहवः॥ ५॥

All the four princes, who were veritable jewels among men, were equally dear to him like four arms sprung from one’s own person. (5)

> तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरः पितुः।  
> स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः॥ ६॥

Of them, however, the highly glorious Śrī Rāma afforded ecstatic delight to him and was more richly endowed with excellences than others, as Brahmā, the self-born creator, is among created beings. (6)

> स हि देवैरुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थिभिः।  
> अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुः सनातनः॥ ७॥

For, entreated by the gods, seeking the destruction of the haughty Rāvaṇa, the eternal Lord Viṣṇu (Himself) was born on the mortal plane as Śrī Rāma. (7)

> कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा।  
> यथा वरेण देवानामदितिर्वज्रपाणिना॥ ८॥

Queen Kausalyā, the mother of Śrī Rāma, shone with that her son, possessed as he was of infinite glory, even as Aditi did with her son, Indra, the wielder of thunderbolt, the foremost of gods. (8)

> स हि रूपोपपन्नश्च वीर्यवाननसूयकः।  
> भूमावनुपमः सूनुर्गुणैर्दशरथोपमः॥ ९॥

He was indeed possessed of physical charm, full of valour and free from censoriousness. He was incomparable on earth as a son and was a replica of Daśaratha in point of virtues. (9)

> स च नित्यं प्रशान्तात्मा मृदुपूर्वं च भाषते।  
> उच्यमानोऽपि परुषं नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्यते॥ १०॥

He was ever tranquil of mind and spoke softly without being accosted. Nay, he did not retort even though spoken harshly to. (10)

> कदाचिदुपकारेण कृतेनैकेन तुष्यति।  
> न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तया॥ ११॥

He felt gratified even with a single good turn casually rendered and did not take to heart even a hundred wrongs because of his mastery over his self. (11)

> शीलवृद्धैर्ज्ञानवृद्धैर्वयोवृद्धैश्च सज्जनैः।  
> कथयन्नास्त वै नित्यमस्त्रयोग्यान्तरेष्वपि॥ १२॥

He ever used to converse only with pious men senior to him in point of moral worth, enlightenment and age, even at times of respite from his training in the use of missiles. (12)

> बुद्धिमान् मधुराभाषी पूर्वभाषी प्रियंवदः।  
> वीर्यवान्न च वीर्येण महता स्वेन विस्मितः॥ १३॥

He was talented and suave of speech, took the initiative in speaking with others, affable and valiant, yet not elated with his extraordinary prowess. (13)

> न चानृतकथो विद्वान् वृद्धानां प्रतिपूजकः।  
> अनुरक्तः प्रजाभिश्च प्रजाश्चाप्यनुरज्यते॥ १४॥

He never told a lie, was learned and a respecter of his elders, nay, was loved by the people and also loved the people in his turn. (14)

> सानुक्रोशो जितक्रोधो ब्राह्मणप्रतिपूजकः।  
> दीनानुकम्पी धर्मज्ञो नित्यं प्रग्रहवान् शुचिः॥ १५॥

He was full of compassion, had conquered anger, was a votary of the Brāhmaṇas, commiserate to the miserable, knew what is right, always exercised self-control and practised purity, both internal and external. (15)

> कुलोचितमतिः क्षात्रं स्वधर्मं बहु मन्यते।  
> मन्यते परया प्रीत्या महत् स्वर्गफलं ततः॥ १६॥

With his mind intent on what was worthy of his race, he made much of his duty as a Kṣatriya and with great fondness regarded heaven as the eminent reward following from it. (16)

> नाश्रेयसि रतो यश्च न विरुद्धकथारुचिः।  
> उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तीनां वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा॥ १७॥

He never took delight in an act which was not conducive to blessedness, had no relish for profane talks and, like the sage Bṛhaspati (lit., a master of eloquence), advanced arguments and counter-arguments in support of his contention. (17)

> अरोगस्तरुणो वाग्मी वपुष्मान् देशकालवित्।  
> लोके पुरुषसारज्ञः साधुरेको विनिर्मितः॥ १८॥

He was free from diseases, youthful, eloquent and possessed of a robust body and knew the right place and time for action. He was the only pious soul, evolved in the world, who could know the worth of every individual appearing before him. (18)

> स तु श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः।  
> बहिश्चर इव प्राणो बभूव गुणतः प्रियः॥ १९॥

Endowed with superb qualities, the aforesaid prince actually grew to be the favourite of the people by virtue of his manifold excellences and was like their very life moving outside. (19)

> सर्वविद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत् साङ्गवेदवित्।  
> इष्वस्त्रे च पितुः श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः॥ २०॥

Śrī Rāma, the elder brother of Bharata, had mastered all sciences and fulfilled all sacred vows, had duly studied all the four Vedas, including the branches of knowledge auxiliary to them and proved superior even to his father, Emperor Daśaratha, a unique bowman himself, in archery as well as in the use of missiles propelled by force of mystic spells. (20)

> कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनः सत्यवागृजुः।  
> वृद्धैरभिविनीतश्च द्विजैर्धर्मार्थदर्शिभिः॥ २१॥

A source of all blessings, beneficent, ever undepressed, truthful of speech and guileless, he had been instructed all round by elderly Brāhmaṇas possessing insight into the moral principles and secular interests. (21)

> धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान्।  
> लौकिके समयाचारे कृतकल्पो विशारदः॥ २२॥

He knew the truth about the principles of righteousness, material enjoyment and prosperity, was possessed of a keen memory and perspicacious. He had acquired proficiency in the discharge of his secular duties and was well-versed in Vedic rites too. (22)

> निभृतः संवृताकारो गुप्तमन्त्रः सहायवान्।  
> अमोघक्रोधहर्षश्च त्यागसंयमकालवित्॥ २३॥

He was modest and kept his feelings concealed and his deliberations secret and attracted good many followers. His wrath and pleasure both were unfailing and he knew when to release funds and when to withhold them. (23)

> दृढभक्तिः स्थिरप्रज्ञो नासद्ग्राही न दुर्वचः।  
> निस्तन्द्रीरप्रमत्तश्च स्वदोषपरदोषवित्॥ २४॥

He was unflinching in devotion and stable of mind, did not gather unworthy men about him nor did he utter foul words. He was free from sloth and ever vigilant and was alive to the faults of his own people as well as to those of others. (24)

> शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः।  
> यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः॥ २५॥

He was well-versed in sacred lore and recognized the services of others, could read men’s mind and was upright in meeting out punishment and bestowing favours according to the principles of equity. (25)

> सत्संग्रहानुग्रहणे स्थानविन्निग्रहस्य च।  
> आयकर्मण्युपायज्ञः संदृष्टव्ययकर्मवित्॥ २६॥

He was expert in gathering pious men about him and patronizing them, and knew where to use force. He was conversant with the methods of tapping the sources of income (without oppressing the people) and also knew the art of expending money as laid down in the Śāstras (works on political economy).* (26)

> श्रैष्ठ्यं शास्त्रसमूहेषु प्राप्तो व्यामिश्रकेषु च।  
> अर्थधर्मौ च संगृह्य सुखतन्त्रो न चालसः॥ २७॥

He had acquired proficiency in the Śāstras (the various departments of knowledge) as well as in works (such as dramas) written in a mixed tongue (viz., Saṁskṛta mixed with a Prākṛta dialect) and enjoyed the pleasures of sense, keeping inviolate the principles of rigthteousness and maintaining the soundness of his finances; nay, he never remained inactive. (27)

> वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञातार्थविभागवित्।  
> आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तो वारणवाजिनाम्॥ २८॥

He was a connoisseur of arts (such as vocal and instrumental music, drawing etc.) intended to entertain oneself and knew how to allocate funds to various items of expenditure. He was an expert in riding on and taming elephants and horses. (28)

> धनुर्वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसम्मतः।  
> अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः॥ २९॥

He was the foremost of those knowing the science of archery and was esteemed in the world even by Atirathas (those who fight a number of Mahārathas alone). He not only knew how to make an inroad into an enemy’s stronghold, but also how to take the offensive in a war and was skilled in disposing the army in a particular battle-array. (29)

> अप्रधृष्यश्च संग्रामे क्रुद्धैरपि सुरासुरैः।  
> अनसूयो जितक्रोधो न दृप्तो न च मत्सरी॥ ३०॥

He could not be overpowered in an encounter even by the gods and demons in rage. He was devoid of a carping spirit, had conquered wrath, was never elated and never gave way to jealousy. (30)

> नावज्ञेयश्च भूतानां न च कालवशानुगः।  
> एवं श्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः॥ ३१॥  
> सम्मतस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः।  
> बुद्ध्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्ये चापि शचीपतेः॥ ३२॥

He could not be disregarded with impunity by created beings and was not subject to the control of Time. Endowed with the foregoing noblest virtues, Śrī Rāma, son of Emperor Daśaratha, was esteemed not only by the people of Ayodhyā but in all the three worlds (viz., heaven, earth and the intermediate region). He was a compeer of Mother Earth (the repository of all riches) in forbearance and other allied virtues and vied with the sage Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of gods, in wisdom and with Indra, the consort of Śacī, in valour. (31-32)

> तथा सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैः पितुः।  
> गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः॥ ३३॥

Nay, like the sun-god resplendent with his rays, Śrī Rāma shone brightly by virtue of his aforesaid excellences, was loved by all the people of Ayodhyā, affording delight to his father, Emperor Daśaratha. (33)

> तमेवंवृत्तसम्पन्नमप्रधृष्यपराक्रमम्।  
> लोकनाथोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी॥ ३४॥

Goddess Earth herself sought for her protector the aforesaid prince, who was endowed with such a lofty character, was possessed of valour that could not be subdued and who vied with the guardians of the spheres in might and splendour. (34)

> एतैस्तु बहुभिर्युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैः सुतम्।  
> दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परंतपः॥ ३५॥

Seeing his eldest son, Śrī Rāma, adorned with these manifold incomparable virtues, Emperor Daśaratha, the chastiser of his enemies, for his part reflected as follows: (35)

> अथ राज्ञो बभूवैव वृद्धस्य चिरजीविनः।  
> प्रीतिरेषा कथं रामो राजा स्यान्मयि जीवति॥ ३६॥

The thought forthwith entered the mind of the aged and long-lived emperor: “How should Rāma be crowned king during my very lifetime? How can this delightful event take place? (36)

> एषा ह्यस्त परा प्रीतिर्हृदि सम्परिवर्तते।  
> कदा नाम सुतं द्रक्ष्याम्यभिषिक्तमहं प्रियम्॥ ३७॥

“When shall I actually behold my beloved son, Śrī Rāma, installed as Prince Regent? This alone is the supreme desire revolving in my heart. (37)

> वृद्धिकामो हि लोकस्य सर्वभूतानुकम्पकः।  
> मत्तः प्रियतरो लोके पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान्॥ ३८॥

“Commiserating all created beings, he truly seeks the advancement of all the people. Like a rainy cloud he is dearer to the world than myself. (38)

> यमशक्रसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ।  
> महीधरसमो धृत्यां मत्तश्च गुणवत्तरः॥ ३९॥

“He is a compeer of Yama and Indra in valour, vies with Bṛhaspati in understanding, resembles a mountain in firmness and excels me in qualities. (39)

> महीमहमिमां कृत्स्नामधितिष्ठन्तमात्मजम्।  
> अनेन वयसा दृष्ट्वा यथा स्वर्गमवाप्नुयाम्॥ ४०॥

“Seeing at this ripe age my aforesaid son, Śrī Rāma, holding sway over this entire globe, let me ascend to heaven in due course.” (40)

> इत्येवं विविधैस्तैस्तैरन्यपार्थिवदुर्लभैः।  
> शिष्टैरपरिमेयैश्च लोके लोकोत्तरैर्गुणैः॥ ४१॥  
> तं समीक्ष्य तदा राजा युक्तं समुदितैर्गुणैः।  
> निश्चित्य सचिवैः सार्धं यौवराज्यममन्यत॥ ४२॥

Reflecting thus and perceiving Śrī Rāma endowed with the aforesaid manifold excellences, difficult to find in other kings, as well as with all other innumerable excellences, uncommon in the world, and deliberating with his ministers, the Emperor (Daśaratha) decided to install him as Prince Regent. (41-42)

> दिव्यन्तरिक्षे भूमौ च घोरमुत्पातजं भयम्।  
> संचचक्षेऽथ मेधावी शरीरे चात्मनो जराम्॥ ४३॥

The shrewd Emperor forthwith spoke to the ministers about the grave risk foreshadowed by the portents appearing in the heaven, in the aerial region as well as on earth, as also of old age telling on his own body. (43)

> पूर्णचन्द्राननस्याथ शोकापनुदमात्मनः।  
> लोके रामस्य बुबुधे सम्प्रियत्वं महात्मनः॥ ४४॥

On the other hand, he learnt from the ministers of the great popularity of the high-souled Śrī Rāma, whose countenance resembled the full moon in its pleasing property—a popularity which assuaged the emperor’s own agony (caused by the thought of those evil portents). (44)

> आत्मनश्च प्रजानां च श्रेयसे च प्रियेण च।  
> प्राप्ते काले स धर्मात्मा भक्त्या त्वरितवान् नृपः॥ ४५॥

Nay, for his own good as well as for the good of the people as also with a view to their gratification and out of love for them, that pious monarch urged the ministers to make haste, when the opportune time for the installation came. (45)

> नानानगरवास्तव्यान् पृथग्जानपदानपि।  
> समानिनाय मेदिन्यां प्रधानान् पृथिवीपतिः॥ ४६॥

The emperor caused to be summoned to his capital the prominent citizens of various cities as also the rulers of different parts of the country on the globe. (46)

> तान् वेश्मनानाभरणैर्यथार्हं प्रतिपूजितान्।  
> ददर्शालंकृतो राजा प्रजापतिरिव प्रजाः॥ ४७॥

Decked with jewels himself, the king saw them when they had been honourably lodged in quarters and presented with various ornaments according to their respective rank, even as Brahmā, the lord of created beings, would see his progeny. (47)

> न तु केकयराजानं जनकं वा नराधिपः।  
> त्वरया चानयामास पश्चात्तौ श्रोष्यतः प्रियम्॥ ४८॥

In a hurry, however, Daśaratha, the ruler of men, invited neither the king of the Kekayas nor King Janaka and consoled himself with the thought that the two monarchs would hear the delightful news afterwards. (48)

> अथोपविष्टे नृपतौ तस्मिन् परपुरार्दने।  
> ततः प्रविविशुः शेषा राजानो लोकसम्मताः॥ ४९॥

Now that the aforesaid monarch, Emperor Daśaratha, who was capable of destroying the enemy’s stronghold, had taken his seat in the assembly called by him, the other kings, who were esteemed of the people, forthwith entered the assembly. (49)

> अथ राजवितीर्णेषु विविधेष्वासनेषु च।  
> राजानमेवाभिमुखा निषेदुर्नियता नृपाः॥ ५०॥

The kings then sat down in a disciplined way facing the Emperor alone on the different seats allotted to them by the Emperor. (50)

> स लब्धमानैर्विनयान्वितैर्नृपैः  
> पुरालयैर्जानपदैश्च मानवैः।  
> उपोपविष्टैर्नृपतिर्वृतो बभौ  
> सहस्रचक्षुर्भगवानिवामरैः ॥ ५१॥

Surrounded by kings that had received attentions from the Emperor and were full of modesty, as well as by prominent men who had their residence in the city of Ayodhyā or belonged to the other parts of the country, and who all sat close to the Emperor in order to be able to hear distinctly what he said, the aforesaid monarch shone like the glorious Indra (the thousand-eyed god) in the midst of other gods. (51)

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