Introduction
Vishnu agrees to incarnate as human and selects Dasharatha as his father. And when Dasharatha is performing the Vedic ritual called putrakaameSTi a deity called praajaapatya-puruSha arises from the sacrificial fire to give a golden vessel of divine dessert to Dasharatha for distribution among his queens to beget progeny. The three queens on consuming that dessert conceive their children.
Verse 1
ततो नारायणो विष्णुः नियुक्तः सुरसत्तमैः |
जानन्नपि सुरानेवं श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रवीत् || १-१६-१
Later when the Omnipresent Narayana is thus nominated by best gods, and though he knows the outcome, he gently spoke these words to gods in this way. [1-16-1]
1. tataH = later; niyuktaH surasattamaiH = nominated, by best gods; naaraayaNaH viShNuH = Narayana, Vishnu – Omnipresent; jaanan api = he knows [outcome,] though; suraan evam shlakSNam vachanam abraviit = gently spoke words this way to gods.
Verse 2
उपायः को वधे तस्य राक्षसाधिपतेः सुराः |
यमहं तं समास्थाय निहन्यामृषिकण्टकम् || १-१६-२
“What is the idea to eliminate that demon’s chief Ravana, oh, gods, adopting which strategy I will have to eliminate that thorn in the side of sages?” Thus Vishnu asked the gods. [1-16-2]
2. suraaH = oh gods; raakShasaadhipateH tasya vadhe = elimination of his demon chief’s [namely Ravana] ; upaayaH kaH = idea, what is; yam samaasthaaya = on adoting which [strategy] ; R^SikanTakam tam aham nihanyaam = I can eliminate him who is thorny for sages.
Verse 3
एवमुक्ताः सुराः सर्वे प्रत्यूचुर्विष्णुमव्ययम् |
मानुषं रूपमास्थाय रावणं जहि संयुगे || १-१६-३
Asked thus all the gods said to that sempiternal Vishnu, “on assuming a human form, eliminate Ravana in a war.” [1-16-3]
3. evam uktaaH suraaH sarve = thus, spoken, all gods; avyayam viSNum = imperishable, to Vishnu; prati uuchuH = in reply, said; maanuSam tanum aasthaaya = on assuming form of human body; raavaNam jahi samyuge = kill Ravana in war.
Verse 4
स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्रं दीर्घकालमरिंदम |
येन तुष्टोऽभवद्ब्रह्मा लोककृल्लोकपूर्वजः || १-१६-४
“Oh, destroyer of enemies, he that Ravana undertook a vehement ascesis for a long period, thereby the creator of worlds and the first born one Brahma, felt gladsome of his ascesis. [1-16-4]
4. arimdama = oh enemy destroyer; saH diirghakaalam tiivram tapaH tepe = he [Ravana,]undertook vehement ascesis for a long period; yena = by which – thereby; lokakR^it = worlds creator; and lokapuurvajaH = earliest born in worlds, – Brahma; tuSTaH abhavat = glad, he become.
Verse 5 & 6a
सन्तुष्टः प्रददौ तस्मै राक्षसाय वरं प्रभुः |
नानाविधेभ्यो भूतेभ्यो भयं नान्यत्र मानुषात् || १-१६-५
अवज्ञाताः पुरा तेन वरदाने हि मानवाः |
“Satisfied with his ascesis Brahma gave boon to that demon that he shall have no fear for his life from many kinds of beings, excepting humans, because that demon indeed slighted humans earlier at the time of bestowing boon. [1-16-5, 6a]
5, 6a. santuShtaH prabhuH = satisfied, Brahma; tasmai raakShasaaya maanuShaat anyatra = to him, to demon Ravana, other than human; naanaavidhebhyaH bhuutebhyaH = many kinds of, beings; bhayam na = danger, is not there; [iti = thus]; varam pradadau = boon, gave; puraa = earlier; varadaane [samaye] = while boon being bestowed [at that time]; tena maanavaaH avaj~naataaH hi = by him, humans, are slighted, indeed.
Verse 6b & 7
एवं पितामहात्तस्माद्वरदानेन गर्वितः || १-१६-६
उत्सादयति लोकांस्त्रीन् स्त्रियश्चाप्यपकर्षति |
तस्मात्तस्य वधो दृष्टो मानुषेभ्यः परन्तप || १-१६-७
“Thus, on getting boon from the Forefather Brahma he has become arrogant and torturing the three worlds, and he is even abducting women. As such, oh, enemy destroyer Vishnu, his elimination is envisaged through humans alone.” So said gods to Vishnu. [1-16-6b, 7]
6b, 7. evam tasmaat pitaamahaat = thus, from him, the Forefather Brahma; varadaanena garvitaH = becoming arrogant by according boon; utsaadayati lokaan triin = torturing, three worlds; striyaH api apakarSati cha = even abducts women, also; tasmaat paramtapa = therefore, oh enemy destroyer Vishnu; tasya vadhaH = his, elimination; maanuShebhyaH dR^iSTaH = is envisaged by humans.
Verse 8
इत्येतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सुराणां विष्णुरात्मवान् |
पितरं रोचयामास तदा दशरथं नृपम् || १-१६-८
On hearing that speech of gods said that way, he that kind-hearted Vishnu then chose Dasharatha as his father in human world. [1-16-8]
8. iti suraaNaam etat vachanam shrutvaa = this way, on hearing the speech of the gods; viShNuH = lord Vishnu; aatmavaan = kind-hearted one; tadaa dasharatham nR^ipam = then, king Dasharatha; pitaram rochayaamaasa = as father, started to choose.
Verse 9
स चाप्यपुत्रो नृपतिस्तस्मिन् काले महाद्युतिः |
अयजत् पुत्रियामिष्टिं पुत्रेप्सुररिसूदनः ||१-१६-९
During that time the great resplendent king and an enemy subduer Dasharatha is performing putrakaameSTi ritual, desiring progeny as he is sonless. [1-16-9]
9. tasmin kaale = during that time; mahaadyutiH = great resplendent one; arisuudanaH = enemy subduer [Dasharatha]; saH nR^ipatiH = he, that king; aputraH = without progeny; putrepsuH = desiring children; putriiyaam iSTim api = even sons ritual; ayajat cha = performed, also.
Verse 10
स कृत्वा निश्चयं विष्णुरामन्त्र्य च पितामहम् |
अन्तर्धानं गतो देवैः पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः || १-१६-१०
On taking a decision Vishnu took leave of Forefather Brahma, and vanished while he is still being extolled by gods and sages. [1-16-10]
10. saH viShNuH kR^itvaa nishchayam = he, Vishnu, making – taking, decision; pitaamaham aamantrya cha = took leave of Forefather [Brahma,] also; devaiH maharSibhiH puujyamaanaH = by gods, saints, while being extolled; antardhaanam gataH = vanished.
Verse 11
ततो वै यजमानस्य पावकादतुलप्रभम् |
प्रादुर्भूतं महद्भूतं महावीर्यं महाबलम् || १-१६-११
Then, from Fire of Altar Dasharatha’s ritual there emerged a greatly vigorous and energetic Divine Being with an unparalleled resplendence, called yajna-puruSa. [1-16-11]
11. tataH vai yajamaanasya = then, verily, performer of ritual [Dasharatha’s]; paavakaat atulaprabham = [from] ritual fire, with unparalleled resplendence; praadurbhuutam mahat bhuutam = emerged, Divine, Being; mahaaviiryam mahaabalam = greatly vigorous, greatly energetic.
Verse 12
कृष्णं रक्ताम्बरधरं रक्तास्यं दुन्दुभिस्वनम् |
स्निग्धहर्यक्षतनुजश्मश्रुप्रवरमूर्धजम् || १-१६-१२
He is clad in black and red garments and his face is red and his voice resembled the drumbeat. His moustache and hairdo are soft like that of a lion’s mane. [1-16-12]
12. kR^iSNaraktaambaradharam = clad in black and red garments; raktaasyam = red faced; dundubhisvanam = voiced like drum-beat; snigdhaharyakSatanujashmashrupravaram uurdha jam = with his soft hair and moustaches and head hair like mane of lion.
Verse 13
शुभलक्षणसंपन्नं दिव्याभरणभूषितम् |
शैलशृङ्गसमुत्सेधं दृप्तशार्दूलविक्रमम् || १-१६-१३
And he is endowed with auspicious features and decorated with divine ornaments, in height he is like a mountain peak, and in valiance he is like an imperious tiger. [1-16-13]
13. shubhalakSaNasampannam = endowed with auspicious features; divyaabharaNabuuSitam = decorated with divine ornaments; shailashR^i~Ngasamutsedham = in height he is like mountain peak; dR^iptashaarduulavikramam = in valiance he is like imperious tiger.
Verse 14 & 15
दिवाकरसमाकारं दीप्तानलशिखोपमम् |
तप्तजाम्बूनदमयीं राजतान्तपरिच्छदाम् || १-१६-१४
दिव्यपायससंपूर्णां पात्रीं पत्नीमिव प्रियाम् |
प्रगृह्य विपुलां दोर्भ्यां स्वयं मायामयीमिव || १-१६-१५
That great ritual being personally brought a big golden vessel carrying it with both of his hands as if he would personally handle his own wife, which vessel is made from the molten gold and covered with a silver lid, and which appeared to be crafted out of a divine illusion, since it is dazzling like sun and glowing like the tongues of flame, and that vessel is full with the divine dessert. [1-16-14, 15]
14. [tat mahat bhuutam = that, great being]; pragR^ihya = carrying; dorbhyaam svayam = in two hands, personally; vipulaam patriim = a big vessel, golden vessel; [which is] maayaamayiim iva = [made by] an illusion, like; divaakarasamaakaaram = [day, giver dazzling] sun, similar, in appearance; diiptaanalashikopamam = glowing, flame’s tongues, in similitude; taptajambuunadamayiim = full with molten gold [vessel]; rajataantaparicChadaam = covered with silver lid; [and which is] divyapaayasasampuurNaam = full of divine dessert; patniim iva = wife, like; priyaam = dear [wife].
Verse 16
समवेक्ष्याब्रवीद्वाक्यमिदं दशरथं नृपम् |
प्राजापत्यं नरं विद्धि मामिहाभ्यागतं नृप || १-१६-१६
That divine person on observing king Dasharatha said these words “oh, king, you may know me as the being sent by Prajapati.” [1-16-16]
16. dasharatham nR^ipam samavekSya = on observing king Dasharatha; idam vaakyam abraviit = said this word; nR^ipa = oh king; iha abhyaagatam = arrived here; maam = me; praajaapatyam = from Prajapati [sent by]; naram viddhi = being, you know.
Verse 17
ततः परं तदा राजा प्रत्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः |
भगवन् स्वागतं तेऽस्तु किमहं करवाणि ते || १-१६-१७
There after, king Dasharatha greeted that divine being with palms adjoining and said in reply, “oh, god, welcome to you, and what shall I do for you?” [1-16-17]
17. tataH param tadaa raajaa = there after, thus, king; prati uvaacha kR^itaanjaliH = in turn, said, palms adjoining [greeting]; bhagavan = oh god; te svaagatam astu = let there be welcome to you; aham te kim karavaaNi = what shall I do for you.
Verse 18
अथो पुनरिदं वाक्यं प्राजापत्यो नरोऽब्रवीत् |
राजन्नर्चयता देवानद्य प्राप्तमिदं त्वया || १-१६-१८
Then again, that divine being sent by Prajapati said these words, “oh, king, now you have obtained this dessert in golden vessel as you have propitiated gods. [1-16-18]
18. athaH praajaapatyaH naraH = then, Prajaapati’s, person; punaH idam vaakyam abraviit = again said this word; raajan = oh king; devaan archayataa tvayaa = when gods propitiated by you; adya idam praaptam = now, this is, obtained [by you.]
Verse 19
इदं तु नृपशार्दूल पायसं देवनिर्मितम् |
प्रजाकरं गृहाण त्वं धन्यमारोग्य वर्धनम् || १-१६-१९
“Oh, tigerly king, take this dessert prepared by divinities, this is a blessed dessert that enriches progeny and health. [1-16-19]
19. nR^ipashaarduula = oh the tigerly king; devanirmitam = prepared by divinities; prajaakaram = enriching progeny; dhanyam = blessed one; aarogyavardhanam = enriching health; idam paayasam tvam gR^ihaaNa = you take this dessert.
Verse 20
भार्याणामनुरूपाणामश्नीतेति प्रयच्छ वै |
तासु त्वं लप्स्यसे पुत्रान् यदर्थं यजसे नृप || १-१६-२०
“Oh, king, let this be consumed” saying so he further said, “for which purpose you have performed this ritual that childbearing will be fructified in your wives by bearing sons, hence give this among your eligible wives.” So said the divine being to Dasharatha. [1-16-20]
20. nR^ipa = oh king; ashniita = consume; iti = on saying; anuruupaaNaam bhaaryaaNaam prayacCha vai = give them to your eligible wives indeed; yadardham yajase = for which purpose, you performed ritual; putraan taasu tvam lapsyaase = you will get sons in them [in queens] .
Verse 21
तथेति नृपतिः प्रीतः शिरसा प्रतिगृह्य ताम् |
पात्रीं देवान्नसंपूर्णां देवदत्तां हिरण्मयीम् || १-१६-२१
Agreeing to that the king wholeheartedly took that god-given golden vessel full with divine food. [1-16-21]
21. nR^ipatiH tathaa iti = king, like that only, thus [on agreeing]; taam devaannasampuurNaam = full of that divine food; devadattam hiraNmayiim = golden one given by gods; paatriim shirasaa pratigR^ihya = on taking vessel onto head [head bent, wholeheartedly]; priitaH = he is delighted.
Verse 22
अभिवाद्य च तद् भूतमद्भुतं प्रियदर्शनम् |
मुदा परमया युक्तश्चकाराभिप्रदक्षिणम् || १-१६-२२
With high ecstasy Dasharatha revered that Ritual Being, the Prajaapati- PuruSha or yaj~na-puruSha , an astonishing and delightful being in his appearance, and performed circumambulations around him. [1-16-22]
22. paramayaa mudaa yuktaH = with high ecstasy; adbhutam priyadarshanam = astonishing, delightful, in his appearance; tat bhuutam = at that, being; abhivaadya cha = revering, too; chakaara abhipradakShiNam = performed, circumambulations.
Verse 23
ततो दशरथः प्राप्य पायसं देवनिर्मितम् |
बभूव परमप्रीतः प्राप्य वित्तमिवाधनः || १-१६-२३
On obtaining that dessert prepared by gods then Dasharatha is highly gladdened like a pauper obtaining unforeseen wealth. [1-16-23]
23. tataH = then; DasharathaH = Dasharatha; devanirmitam paayasam praapya = on getting dessert prepared by gods; vittam praapya adhanaH iva = like a pauper on obtaining [unforeseen] wealth; paramapriitaH babhuuva = he became highly gladdened.
Verse 24
ततस्तदद्भुतप्रख्यं भूतं परमभास्वरम् |
संवर्तयित्वा तत्कर्म तत्रैवान्तरधीयत || १-१६-२४
On completing his work of giving the golden vessel with dessert then that divine being who is astonishing by his form and highly glowing by his physique, disappeared then and there itself. [1-16-24]
24. tataH = then; adbhutaprakhyam = with astonishing form; paramabhaasvaram = highly glowing; tat bhuutam = that, ritual being; tat karma samvartayitvaa = on completing that deed; tatra eva antardhiiyata = there, only, disappeared.
Verse 25
हर्षरश्मिभिरुद्द्योतं तस्यान्तःपुरमाबभौ |
शारदस्याभिरामस्य चंद्रस्येव नभोंशुभिः || १-१६-२५
Lit up with beams of happiness Dasharatha’s palace chambers shone forth like the autumnal sky brightened with moonbeams. [1-16-25]
25. harSarashmibhiH uddyotam = lit up with beams of happiness; tasya antaHpuram = his, palace chambers; abhiraamasya shaaradasya = heart pleasing, of autumn; chandrasya amshubhiH = with moon’s, rays; nabhaH iva = sky, like; babhuuva = became.
Verse 26
सोऽन्तःपुरं प्रविश्यैव कौसल्यामिदमब्रवीत् |
पायसं प्रतिगृह्णीष्व पुत्रीयमिदमात्मनः || १-१६-२६
Then Dasharatha on entering palace chambers spoke this to queen Kausalya, “Receive this dessert to beget your son.” [1-16-26]
26. saH antaHpuram pravishya = he [Dasharatha,] on entering palace chambers; kausalyaam idam abraviit = said this to Kausalya; aatmanaH putriiyam = to beget your son; idam paayasam pratigR^ihNiiShva = you receive this dessert.
Verse 27, 28 & 29
कौसल्यायै नरपतिः पायसार्धं ददौ तदा |
अर्धादर्धं ददौ चापि सुमित्रायै नराधिपः || १-१६-२७
कैकेय्यै चावशिष्टार्धं ददौ पुत्रार्थकारणात् |
प्रददौ चावशिष्टार्धं पायसस्यामृतोपमम् || १-१६-२८
अनुचिन्त्य सुमित्रायै पुनरेव महीपतिः |
एवं तासां ददौ राजा भार्याणां पायसं पृथक् || १-१६-२९
The king then gave half of the dessert to queen Kausalya, and he gave half of the half, i.e., one fourth to queen Sumitra. And to Kaikeyi he gave half of the remaining half, i.e., one eight of the dessert, with a desire to beget sons. Then thinking for a while gave the remaining, i.e., one-eighth portion again to queen Sumitra. Thus, the king distributed the dessert to his wives differently. [1-16-27, 28, 29]
27, 28 29. tadaa narapatiH = then, people’s lord – king; kausalyaayai = to Kausalya; paayasaardham dadou = gave half of dessert; naraadhipaH = people’s lord – king; ardhaat ardham = half of the [remaining] half [-one fourth]; sumitraayai cha api dadou = to Sumitra, also, even, gave; avashiSTaardham = of the remaining half [one eight,]; putraarthakaaraNaat = purpose of desiring sons; kaikeyyai cha dadau = to Kaikeyi, also, gave; mahiipatiH = king; anuchintya = thought a while; paayasam = dessert; amR^itopamam = equalling ambrosia; avashiSTaardham = remaining part [one eight]; punaH eva = again, thus; sumitraayai = to Sumitra; dadou = gave; evam = thus; raajaa = king; taasaam = to them; bhaaryaaNaam = among his wives; pR^ithak = differently; paayasam = dessert; dadou = distributed.
Verse 30
ताश्चैवं पायसं प्राप्य नरेन्द्रस्योत्तमाः स्त्रियः |
सम्मानं मेनिरे सर्वाः प्रहर्षोदितचेतसः || १-१६-३०
On getting the dessert all of those best ladies of the king, whose hearts are exuberant with happiness, deemed it as a reward. [1-16-30]
30. narendrasya uttamaaH striyaH = best ladies of king; sarvaaH = all of them; taaH evam paayasam praapya = they, on getting dessert that way; praharSoditachetasaH = exuberance gladness with hearts; sammaanam menire = a reward, they deemed [the dessert.]
Verse 31
ततस्तु ताः प्राश्य तदुत्तमस्त्रियो
महीपतेरुत्तमपायसं पृथक् |
हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजसोऽ-
चिरेण गर्भान् प्रतिपेदिरे तदा || १-१६-३१
Then on consuming dessert those best ladies of the king whose resplendence then vied with that Fire and Sun became pregnant after some time. [1-16-31]
31. mahiipateH tataH uttamastriyaH = those best ladies of king; tat uttamapaayasam = that, best dessert; praashya = on consuming; hutaashanaadityasamaanatejasaH = equalling Fire and Sun in resplendence [queens]; achireNa tadaa garbhaan pratipedire = then very soon they got – conceived.
Verse 32
ततस्तु राजा प्रतिवीक्ष्य ताः स्त्रियः
प्ररूढगर्भाः प्रतिलब्धमानसः |
बभूव हृष्टस्त्रिदिवे यथा हरिः
सुरेन्द्रसिद्धर्षिगणाभिपूजितः || १-१६-३२
Then on seeing his queens with confirmed pregnancies Dasharatha regained his lost heart for sons, and he is gladdened like Vishnu, who will always be gladsome when worshipped by gods, namely Indra and others, as well as by the assemblages of great souls, sages. [1-16-32]
32. tataH raajaa = then, king; praruuDhagarbhaaH = having confirmed about their pregnancies; taaH striyaH = at those, ladies; prativiikShya = on seeing; pratilabdhamaanasaH = again recaptured [his lost] heart; tridive = in heavens; surendrasiddharSigaNaabhipuujitaH = worshipped by king of gods[Indra] and great souls, group of sages; yathaa hariH = as like, Vishnu; babhuuva hR^iSTaH = became, delighted.
