Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 81

Meaning

Seeing the night preceding the Nāndīmukha* and other festal ceremonies (proposed to be performed by Vasiṣṭha preliminary to Bharata’s coronation the following morning) approaching its end, the bards and panegyrists well-versed in eulogizing kings and princes on special occasions extolled Bharata by means of benedictory encomia. (1)

Meaning

Struck with a gold stick, the drum which was beaten at regular hours to notify the end of every quarter of the day sounded loudly. Nay, the servants blew conches and sounded hundreds of musical instruments of various pitches. (2)

Meaning

Filling the space on all sides, as it were, that very loud sound of musical instruments further oppressed with grief Bharata, who was already tormented with grief. (3)

Meaning

Causing that music to be completely stopped the moment he was roused as a result of it, and saying that he was not the ruler, spoke to the celebrated Śatrughna as follows : (4)

Meaning

“See, O Śatrughna, the great wrong that has been done to the world by Kaikeyī. And leaving a legacy of sufferings to my share, King Daśaratha too has departed from this world. (5)

Meaning

“This royal fortune, rooted in righteousness, of that high-souled monarch, who was an embodiment of piety, is drifting like a boat without a pilot in water. (6)

Meaning

“Even the celebrated Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu), who was undoubtedly our very great protector and lord, has been sent in exile to the forest by this very mother of mine casting righteousness to the winds.” (7)

Meaning

Perceiving Bharata lamenting as aforesaid in a distracted state of mind at that critical moment, all the women present in the gynaeceum piteously wailed at the top of their voice. (8)

Meaning

While Bharata was wailing as mentioned above, the highly illustrious Sage Vasiṣṭha, who was well-versed in the code of conduct prescribed for kings, entered the court of King Daśaratha (the ruler of the Ikṣwākus). (9)

Meaning

Accompanied by his host of pupils, the sage, whose mind was given to piety, got into the delightful council-chamber, which was mostly built of gold and studded all over with pearls and precious stones of various kinds and looked like Sudharmā (the court of Indra, the lord of paradise). (10)

Meaning

The sage, who had mastered all the Vedas, occupied a seat of gold covered by a cloth bearing the design of swāstika (denoting good luck), and commanded the messengers as follows: so the tradition goes : (11)

Meaning

“Since there is some urgent business to be disposed of by us, please bring here promptly and quietly Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, warriors, ministers, troop commanders, Śatrughna and the illustrious Bharata with other princes, Yudhājit (one of the chief counsellors, nicknamed Vijaya) and Sumantra as well as all other people who are friendly to Bharata.” (12-13)

Meaning

A great noise then burst forth from men approaching in chariots as well as on horseback and on elephants. (14)

Meaning

The ministers and counsellors as well as the people cheered Bharata coming to the council-chamber as they used to greet Daśaratha and even as gods would greet Indra (who is believed to have performed a hundred Aśwamedha sacrifices as a condition precedent for his assuming the position of Indra). (15)

Meaning

Resembling a pool* (in the sea), having still waters and infested with Timis (a kind of fish credited with a length and breadth of many leagues) and sea-elephants and full of gems, conches and dust of gold, the aforesaid court graced with the august presence of Bharata, son of Daśaratha, looked as it did when adorned with the presence of Daśaratha in the past. (16)