--- title: "Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 15" canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/ayodhya-kanda/sarga-15" lang: "en" --- # Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 15 > ते तु तां रजनीमुष्य ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। > उपतस्थुरुपस्थानं सह राजपुरोहिताः॥ १॥ Having spent the aforesaid night presumably at the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, the Brāhmaṇas that had mastered the Vedas and had been invited to officiate at the installation ceremony stood at the gate of the royal palace alongwith the king’s family priests—Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva and others. (1) > अमात्या बलमुख्याश्च मुख्या ये निगमस्य च। > राघवस्याभिषेकार्थे प्रीयमाणाः सुसंगताः॥ २॥ Full of delight, the ministers as well as the commanders of the army as also those who happened to be the foremost among the mercantile community also gathered together in a systematic manner for the installation of Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu. (2) > उदिते विमले सूर्ये पुष्ये चाभ्यागतेऽहनि। > लग्ने कर्कटके प्राप्ते जन्म रामस्य च स्थिते॥ ३॥ > अभिषेकाय रामस्य द्विजेन्द्रैरुपकल्पितम्। > काञ्चना जलकुम्भाश्च भद्रपीठं स्वलंकृतम्॥ ४॥ > रथश्च सम्यगास्तीर्णो भास्वता व्याघ्रचर्मणा। > गङ्गायमुनयोः पुण्यात् संगमादाहृतं जलम्॥ ५॥ A clear sun having risen and the asterism named Puṣya having appeared with the moon in the daytime and the sun having entered the zodiacal sign named Cancer (the fourth sign of the zodiac), a phenomenon which had appeared at the time of Śrī Rāma’s birth as well, everything required for the installation of Śrī Rāma as Prince Regent was got ready by the foremost of Brāhmaṇas. Gold pitchers full of water and an auspicious wooden seat duly adorned, also a chariot completely upholstered with a brilliant tigerskin and water brought from the sacred confluence of the holy Gaṅgā and Yamunā were kept ready. (3—5) > याश्चान्याः सरितः पुण्या ह्रदाः कूपाः सरांसि च। > प्राग्वहाश्चोर्ध्ववाहाश्च तिर्यग्वाहाश्च क्षीरिणः॥ ६॥ > ताभ्यश्चैवाहृतं तोयं समुद्रेभ्यश्च सर्वशः। > क्षौद्रं दधि घृतं लाजा दर्भाः सुमनसः पयः॥ ७॥ > अष्टौ च कन्या रुचिरा मत्तश्च वरवारणः। > सजलाः क्षीरिभिश्छन्ना घटाः काञ्चनराजताः॥ ८॥ > पद्मोत्पलयुता भान्ति पूर्णाः परमवारिणा। > चन्द्रांशुविकचप्रख्यं पाण्डुरं रत्नभूषितम्॥ ९॥ > सज्जं तिष्ठति रामस्य वालव्यजनमुत्तमम्। > चन्द्रमण्डलसंकाशमातपत्रं च पाण्डुरम्॥ १०॥ > सज्जं द्युतिकरं श्रीमदभिषेकपुरस्सरम्। > पाण्डुरश्च वृषः सज्जः पाण्डुराश्वश्च संस्थितः॥ ११॥ Water was also brought from as many other holy rivers, pools, wells and lakes as there are—rivers like the Narmadā whose streams have their origin in the east and flow in a westerly direction, those whose streams originate in lofty mountains and flow towards the plains and others such as the Gaṅgā at Varāṇasi, the Ganḍaka and the Sona, flowing northward or southward and having water white as milk—as well as from the seas on all sides. Honey, curds, ghee, grains of parched paddy, blades of the sacred Kuśa grass, flowers appropriate to the occasion, water, eight charming virgins, an excellent elephant in rut, gold and silver pitchers full of water covered with leaves of trees yielding a milk-white resin—pitchers which were not only filled with excellent water but also contained lotuses and lilies, all shone brightly. An excellent pair of white chowries resplendent as the scattered rays of the moon and adorned with jewels was kept ready for fanning Śrī Rāma with at the time of his installation. A white and splendid umbrella, which resembled the lunar orb that cast its effulgence all round, stood ready in front of all other articles required for the consecration. A white bull was also ready and a white horse stood fully ready. (6—11) > वादित्राणि च सर्वाणि वन्दिनश्च तथापरे। > इक्ष्वाकूणां यथा राज्ये सम्भ्रियेताभिषेचनम्॥ १२॥ > तथाजातीयमादाय राजपुत्राभिषेचनम्। > ते राजवचनात् तत्र समवेता महीपतिम्॥ १३॥ > अपश्यन्तोऽब्रुवन् को नु राज्ञो नः प्रतिवेदयेत्। > न पश्यामश्च राजानमुदितश्च दिवाकरः॥ १४॥ Also all kinds of musical instruments and panegyrists as well as bards were present. Failing to perceive the Emperor, the Brāhmaṇas and others who had assembled there in obedience to the latter’s command, taking with them requisites for the consecration of a prince as Prince Regent, of a standard and on a scale according to which requisites for such installation are got together in a kingdom ruled by the Ikṣwākus, said to one another, “Who on earth will announce our presence to the king? And we don’t see the king, although the sun is already up. (12—14) > यौवराज्याभिषेकश्च सज्जो रामस्य धीमतः। > इति तेषु ब्रुवाणेषु सर्वांस्तांश्च महीपतीन्॥ १५॥ > अब्रवीत् तानिदं वाक्यं सुमन्त्रो राजसत्कृतः। > रामं राज्ञो नियोगेन त्वरया प्रस्थितो ह्यहम्॥ १६॥ “Nay, everything in connection with the installation of the wise Śrī Rāma to the office of Prince Regent is ready.” While they were saying so, Sumantra, who was honoured by the king, spoke as follows to them all as well as to the kings present there : “Under orders of His Majesty, I am really out in a hurry to bring Śrī Rāma. (15-16) > पूज्या राज्ञो भवन्तश्च रामस्य तु विशेषतः। > अयं पृच्छामि वचनात् सुखमायुष्मतामहम्॥ १७॥ > राज्ञः सम्प्रतिबुद्धस्य चानागमनकारणम्। > इत्युक्त्वान्तःपुरद्वारमाजगाम पुराणवित्॥ १८॥ “You are, however, worthy of adoration even to the king, much more so to Śrī Rāma. I shall, therefore, presently inquire after His Majesty’s welfare on behalf of your blessed selves as also the reason of his failure to appear before you even though he is fully awake.” Saying so, Sumantra, who knew many ancient anecdotes, being many winters old and belonging as he did to the bard class, returned to the entrance of the gynaeceum. (17-18) > सदा सक्तं च तद् वेश्म सुमन्त्रः प्रविवेश ह। > तुष्टावास्य तदा वंशं प्रविश्य स विशाम्पतेः॥ १९॥ Nay, Sumantra, it is said, once more entered the gynaeceum, which had its doors always open to him. Entering it, he then glorified the lineage of the aforesaid king. (19) > शयनीयं नरेन्द्रस्य तदासाद्य व्यतिष्ठत। > सोऽत्यासाद्य तु तद् वेश्म तिरस्करणिमन्तरा॥ २०॥ > आशीर्भिर्गुणयुक्ताभिरभितुष्टाव राघवम्। > सोमसूर्यौ च काकुत्स्थ शिववैश्रवणावपि॥ २१॥ > वरुणश्चाग्निरिन्द्रश्च विजयं प्रदिशन्तु ते। > गता भगवती रात्रिरहः शिवमुपस्थितम्॥ २२॥ Reaching the well-known royal bed-chamber, he paused awhile. Then going very near that room behind the arras he extolled Daśaratha (a scion of Raghu) through benedictions accompanied with praises as follows : “May the moon-god and the sun-god as well as Lord Śiva and Kubera, son of Viśravā and the god of riches, as also Varuṇa, the god of water, Agni, the god of fire, and Indra, the lord of paradise, grant you victory. The glorious night has passed, and the blessed daytime has arrived. (20—22) > बुद्ध्यस्व राजशार्दूल कुरु कार्यमनन्तरम्। > ब्राह्मणा बलमुख्याश्च नैगमाश्चागतास्त्विह॥ २३॥ > दर्शनं तेऽभिकांक्षन्ते प्रतिबुद्ध्यस्व राघव। > स्तुवन्तं तं तदा सूतं सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रकोविदम्॥ २४॥ > प्रतिबुद्ध्य ततो राजा इदं वचनमब्रवीत्। > राममानय सूतेति यदस्यभिहितो मया॥ २५॥ > किमिदं कारणं येन ममाज्ञा प्रतिवाह्यते। > न चैव सम्प्रसुप्तोऽहमानयेहाशु राघवम्॥ २६॥ “Wake up, O tiger among the rulers of men, pray, accomplish what ought to be done next. Arrived here, Brāhmaṇas, commanders of the army and merchants for their part long to see you. Pray, awake, O scion of Raghu !” Recognizing him by his voice, the king then spoke as follows to Sumantra, the charioteer, who was expert in giving advice : “Since you have been commanded by me in the following words: ‘Bring Rāma to me, O bard !’ what is the reason due to which my command is being acted against? Nor am I fast asleep as you think me to be. Therefore, speedily bring Rāma here.” (23—26) > इति राजा दशरथः सूतं तत्रान्वशात् पुनः। > स राजवचनं श्रुत्वा शिरसा प्रतिपूज्य तम्॥ २७॥ > निर्जगाम नृपावासान्मन्यमानः प्रियं महत्। > प्रपन्नो राजमार्गं च पताकाध्वजशोभितम्॥ २८॥ > हृष्टः प्रमुदितः सूतो जगामाशु विलोकयन्। > स सूतस्तत्र शुश्राव रामाधिकरणाः कथाः॥ २९॥ > अभिषेचनसंयुक्ताः सर्वलोकस्य हृष्टवत्। > ततो ददर्श रुचिरं कैलाससदृशप्रभम्॥ ३०॥ > रामवेश्म सुमन्त्रस्तु शक्रवेश्मसमप्रभम्। > महाकपाटपिहितं वितर्दिशतशोभितम्॥ ३१॥ So did King Daśaratha instruct the bard once more in the said gynaeceum. Hearing the king’s command and saluting him with his head bent low, Sumantra issued forth from the king’s palace, holding the command most welcome to his heart. Having reached the main road, which was decorated with buntings and flags, the charioteer, who felt delighted, nay, overjoyed over the prospect of seeing Śrī Rāma installed as Prince Regent, quickly proceeded further, casting his glances all round. On the way the said bard heard joyfully the talks bearing on Śrī Rāma and connected with his installation from the lips of all men. Sumantra for his part then caught sight of the charming palace of Śrī Rāma, whose splendour vied with that of Mount Kailāsa, nay, which shone like Indra’s own palace in paradise and was secured with massive doors and embellished with hundreds of balconies. (27-31) > काञ्चनप्रतिमैकाग्रं मणिविद्रुमतोरणम्। > शारदाभ्रघनप्रख्यं दीप्तं मेरुगुहासमम्॥ ३२॥ Its main facade, was adorned with gold images and it was provided with an outer gateway of gems and corals. Resplendent like a cave of Mount Meru, it cast a splendour compact as an autumnal cloud. (32) > मणिभिर्वरमाल्यानां सुमहद्भिरलंकृतम्। > मुक्तामणिभिराकीर्णं चन्दनागुरुभूषितम्॥ ३३॥ It was decorated with very large gems forming part of wreaths of gold flowers, was full of pearls and was adorned with sandal trees and aloes. (33) > गन्धान् मनोज्ञान् विसृजद् दार्दुरं शिखरं यथा। > सारसैश्च मयूरैश्च विनदद्भिर्विराजितम्॥ ३४॥ It emitted pleasing odours like a summit of Mount Dardura (a mountain abounding in sandalwood in the vicinity of the Malayagiri mountain) and was graced with crying cranes and peacocks. (34) > सुकृतेहामृगाकीर्णमुत्कीर्णं भक्तिभिस्तथा। > मनश्चक्षुश्च भूतानामाददत् तिग्मतेजसा॥ ३५॥ It was full of beautifully designed images of wolves and decked with fine wooden carvings and attracted the mind and eyes of men by its bright splendour. (35) > चन्द्रभास्करसंकाशं कुबेरभवनोपमम्। > महेन्द्रधामप्रतिमं नानापक्षिसमाकुलम्॥ ३६॥ It shone like the moon and the sun and vied with the palace of Kubera, the god of riches, was a replica of the abode of the mighty Indra and abounded in birds of various kinds. (36) > मेरुशृङ्गसमं सूतो रामवेश्म ददर्श ह। > उपस्थितैः समाकीर्णं जनैरञ्जलिकारिभिः॥ ३७॥ The bard thus beheld the palace of Śrī Rāma resembling Mount Meru (in height) and thronged with men arrived there and standing with joined palms. (37) > उपादाय समाक्रान्तैस्तदा जानपदैर्जनैः। > रामाभिषेकसुमुखैरुन्मुखैः समलंकृतम्॥ ३८॥ It was fully graced with men from the countryside arrived on that occasion taking presents with them, eager to behold, and cheerful over his installation. (38) > महामेघसमप्रख्यमुदग्रं सुविराजितम्। > नानारत्नसमाकीर्णं कुब्जकैरपि चावृतम्॥ ३९॥ Stately and highly resplendent, it shone like a large cloud; nay, it was full of precious stones of numerous descriptions and was also crowded with servants. (39) > स वाजियुक्तेन रथेन सारथिः > समाकुलं राजकुलं विराजयन्। > वरूथिना राजगृहाभिपातिना > पुरस्य सर्वस्य मनांसि हर्षयन्॥ ४०॥ Irradiating the overcrowded main road with his chariot drawn by four horses and provided with a fender or protecting plank (with a view to avoiding collision) and heading towards the royal palace (of which Śrī Rāma’s palace obviously formed an integral part), and delighting the mind of the people of the whole city, the charioteer arrived at the entrance of Śrī Rāma’s palace. (40) > ततः समासाद्य महाधनं महत् > प्रहृष्टरोमा स बभूव सारथिः। > मृगैर्मयूरैश्च समाकुलोल्बणं > गृहं वरार्हस्य शचीपतेरिव॥ ४१॥ The said charioteer was thrilled all over with joy to reach the great palace of Śrī Rāma (who deserved all excellent possessions), full of abundant riches and thickly crowded with deer and peacocks, and resembling the palace of Indra, the spouse of Śaci. (41) > स तत्र कैलासनिभाः स्वलंकृताः > प्रविश्य कक्ष्यास्त्रिदशालयोपमाः। > प्रियान् वरान् राममते स्थितान् बहून् > व्यपोह्य शुद्धान्तमुपस्थितौ रथी॥ ४२॥ Entering one after another the three gates of the palace—which were all richly decorated and shone like Mount Kailāsa in height and which vied with the realm of gods in beauty—and over-passing the many excellent men present there, who followed the mind of Śrī Rāma and as such were loved by him, the charioteer arrived at the gynaeceum. (42) > स तत्र शुश्राव च हर्षयुक्ता > रामाभिषेकार्थकृतां जनानाम्। > नरेन्द्रसूनोरभिमङ्गलार्थाः > सर्वस्य लोकस्य गिरः प्रहृष्टाः॥ ४३॥ There he heard the joyful words of men engaged in services connected with the installation as Prince Regent of Śrī Rāma, as well as the highly delighted talks, invoking all-round blessings on the heir apparent, of all people. (43) > महेन्द्रसद्मप्रतिमं च वेश्म > रामस्य रम्यं मृगपक्षिजुष्टम्। > ददर्श मेरोरिव शृङ्गमुच्चं > विभ्राजमानं प्रभया सुमन्त्रः॥ ४४॥ Sumantra further saw the lovely palace of Śrī Rāma, which vied with the palace of the mighty Indra and was inhabited by beasts and birds of varied descriptions and which shone brightly with its splendour like a lofty summit of Mount Meru. (44) > उपस्थितैरञ्जलिकारिभिश्च > सोपायनैर्जानपदैर्जनैश्च। > कोट्या परार्धैश्च विमुक्तयानैः > समाकुलं द्वारपदं ददर्श॥ ४५॥ He beheld the passage leading to the entrance, overcrowded with throngs of people from the countryside, standing with joined palms and carrying presents, their conveyances having been left at some distance away. (45) > ततो महामेघमहीधराभं > प्रभिन्नमत्यङ्कुशमत्यसह्यम्। > रामोपवाह्यं रुचिरं ददर्श > शत्रुञ्जयं नागमुदग्रकायम्॥ ४६॥ He next saw the charming elephant in rut that carried Śrī Rāma on its back, and was tall as a mountain, crowned with a large mass of cloud, was most formidable and could not be controlled with a goad, and which was capable of conquering the enemy and was accordingly known by the name of Śatruñjaya. (46) > स्वलंकृतान् साश्वरथान् सकुञ्जरा- > नमात्यमुख्यांश्च ददर्श वल्लभान्। > व्यपोह्य सूतः सहितान् समन्ततः > समृद्धमन्तःपुरमाविवेश ह॥ ४७॥ Sumantra also saw the foremost of the king’s ministers, who were fully adorned and had come either on horseback or on the back of their elephant or had driven in their chariot, and were beloved of the king. Driving them into a corner, collected as they were at one spot, he entered the gynaeceum, which was rich on all sides: so the tradition goes. (47) > ततोऽद्रिकूटाचलमेघसंनिभं > महाविमानोपमवेश्मसंयुतम्। > अवार्यमाणः प्रविवेश सारथिः > प्रभूतरत्नं मकरो यथार्णवम्॥ ४८॥ Unchallenged by the porters, the charioteer thereupon freely entered the gynaeceum of Śrī Rāma’s palace—which shone like a stationary cloud perched on a mountain-peak, and consisted of mansions resembling large aerial cars and contained a stock of abundant precious stones—even as an alligator would enter an ocean abounding in precious stones. (48) Book: https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana --- Source: Gita Press, Gorakhpur editions. Buy the book: https://gitapress.org/product/sri-ramcharitmanas-special-edition Ramayana.com, a free, ad-free project of Ved Vyas Foundation.