Uttara Kanda, Sarga 60

Meaning

Thereafter in the bright morning Śrī Rāma, of lotus-like eye having performed forenoon rites, took his seat in the Royal Council-chamber alongwith the Brāhmaṇas, who were masters of the Vedas, the priest Vasiṣṭha and the sage Kaśyapa, in order to look into the royal business. (1-2)

Meaning

The royal council (assembly) consisted of ministers, knowers of common practices, legal procedures and other teachers of laws who recite scriptures, diplomats (statesmen), kings and other members of the council. (3)

Meaning

The assembly of Śrī Rāma, the chief of kings and unwearied in actions looked graceful like the assembly of Indra, Yama and Varuṇa. (4)

Meaning

Then Śrī Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa, who was seated there and who was characterised by auspicious marks, ‘O Long-armed Lakṣmaṇa! go out and call by turn those, who have come with some business’. Having listened to Śrī Rāma’s order, Lakṣmaṇa endowed with auspicious marks, going to the palace-gate himself called those who had come with some request. None there came forward saying that he had some request to make. (5—7)

Meaning

During the reign of Śrī Rāma no one was offended by either physical or mental ailment. The earth abounded in all kinds of plants and fully ripe agricultural produce. Thus in His kingdom neither any child nor any young man nor any middle-aged person died. Everything was administered according to ‘Dharma’ (moral law). No hindrance was ever put. While Srī Rāma ruled over the kingdom no one was seen coming with any request with folded hands, Lakṣmaṇa communicated all this to Him. (8—10)

Meaning

Then the gracious-minded Śrī Rāma addressed the following words to Lakṣmaṇa, “Go again and find out about those who have come with some request.” When the state policy is formulated properly and executed well, unrighteousness does not prevail anywhere. Therefore all persons protect one another due to the fear from the king (due to the apprehension of royal punishment). My officers protect the subjects like arrows shot by Me. Even then, O long-armed one! protect the subjects righteously. (11—13)

Meaning

Thus told by Śrī Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa went out of the royal palace and saw a dog at the gate, which stood there looking at him and repeatedly barking. On seeing him, then the valiant Lakṣmaṇa asked—‘O Illustrious one! Tell me fearlessly your problem.’ On hearing Lakṣmaṇa’s words the dog replied thus: (14—16)

Meaning

‘I can dare tell Śrī Rāma, who is a refuge to all living beings, who is ever unwearied in action and ensures protection whenever there is occasion for fear.’ (17)

Meaning

On hearing the dog’s speech, Lakṣmaṇa entered the auspicious royal palace in order to communicate the same to Śrī Rāma and after informing Him, Lakṣmaṇa came out of the royal palace and said to the dog, “If you have to say something, then tell the king about it.” (18-19)

Meaning

Having heard Lakṣmaṇa’s speech the dog said, ‘Agni (the Fire-god), Indra, Sūrya (the sun-god) and Vāyu (the wind-god) are present in the temples, the royal abode and the houses of Brāhmaṇas. O Lakṣmaṇa! we, of the lowest origin, are unfit to go there. (20-21)

Meaning

‘I shall not be able to enter there (the royal palace). King Śrī Rāma is ‘Dharma.’ He speaks the truth, He is adept in battle-fighting and is devoted to doing good to all the people. (22)

Meaning

‘Śrī Rāma knows the appropriate time for the petitioners—practice of the six Guṇas. He dispenses justice. He is omniscient, He sees all things. Śrī Rāma is foremost among those who delight others. (23)

Meaning

‘He is Soma, He is Death. He is Yama (God of Death). He is Kubera, Agni and Indra, and He is Sūrya, the sun, and Varuṇa. (24)

Meaning

‘Śrī Rāma is the protector of the subjects. O Lakṣmaṇa! tell Him, “Without permission, I do not want to enter the royal palace.’ (25)

Meaning

On hearing this, the illustrious and glorious Lakṣmaṇa having entered the royal abode out of compassion said the following words: (26)

Meaning

‘O Śrī Rāma! listen to what I have to say. O delighter of Kausalyā! O long-armed one! O lord! According to what you had commanded, I called on those who have come with some business. A dog, which has come with a request is standing at your palace-gate.’ After hearing Lakṣmaṇa’s speech, Śrī Rāma said: “Let it enter quickly, the one standing there with some request.’ (27-28)