Introduction
The wedding party arrives at Ayodhya on the exit of Parashu Rama. Yudhaajit, the maternal uncle of Bharata, who came before marriages, now takes Bharata and Shatrughna to his kingdom. Rama and Lakshmana from then on are engaged in the welfare works of their subjects, at the behest of their father. Rama and Seetha will then enter the threshold of their blissful married life.
Verse 1
गते रामे प्रशांतात्मा रामो दाशरथिर्धनुः |
वरुणायाप्रमेयाय ददौ हस्ते महायशाः || १-७७-१
On the departure of Rama of Jamadagni, that most glorious Rama of Dasharatha is quietened at heart, and he gave away that longbow of Vishnu into the hand of inimitable Rain-god. [1-77-1]
1. raame gate = on the departure of Rama of Jamadagni; prashaantaatmaa daasharathiH raamaH = quietened, at heart, Rama of Dasharatha; mahaayashaaH = most glorious one, Rama; dhanuH = longbow of Vishnu; aprameyaaya varuNaaya = to unequalled Rain-god; haste dadau = gave in hand.
Verse 2
अभिवाद्य ततो रामो वसिष्ठ प्रमुखानृषीन् |
पितरं विह्वलं दृष्ट्वा प्रोवाच रघुनंदनः || १-७७-२
On paying respects to sage Vashishta and to the other important sages, Rama, the delight of Raghu’s lineage, placatingly addressed his agitated father Dasharatha. [1-77-2]
2. tataH = then; raghunandanaH = Raghu’s delight; raamaH = Rama; vasiSThapramukhaan R^iSiin = to Vashishta and other important sages; abhivaadya = paying respects; vihvalam pitaram dR^iSTvaa = on seeing agitated father; provaaca [pra-uvaaca] = well said – placatingly addressed.
Verse 3
जामदग्न्यो गतो रामः प्रयातु चतुरङ्गिगिणी |
अयोध्याभिमुखी सेना त्वया नाथेन पालिता || १-७७-३
“Rama of Jamadagni has gone on his way, you may now order the army under your wardship, for which you are the lord, to move on towards Ayodhya…” So said Rama to his father. [1-77-3]
3. jaamadagnyaH raamaH gataH = Rama of Jamadagni, gone away [gone on his way]; naathena = as its lord; tvayaa paalitaa = governed [under your wardship] by you; caturangiNii senaa = fourfold [army / and marriage convoy]; ayodhyaabhimukhii prayaatu = let it move on towards Ayodhya.
Verse 4 & 5
4,5 रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा दशरथः सुतम् |
बाहुभ्यां संपरिष्वज्य मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय राघवम् || १-७७-४
गतो राम इति श्रुत्वा हृष्टः प्रमुदितो नृपः |
पुनर्जातं तदा मेने पुत्रमात्मानमेव च || १-७७-५
On hearing the words of Rama king Dasharatha hugged his son with both of his arms, and kissed on the forehead of Raghava, and king Dasharatha is gladdened to listen about the departure of Parashu Rama, and then he is further gladdened in deeming that he and his sons took a rebirth. [1-77-4, 5]
4, 5. raajaa dasharathaH = king, Dasharatha; raamasya vacanam shrutvaa = on hearing Rama’s sentence; sutam raaghavam baahubhyaam sampariSvajya = hugged son Raghava with both arms; muurdhni ca aaghraaya = kissed forehead; raamaH = Parashu Rama; gataH iti shrutvaa = on hearing about departure, thus; hR^iSTaH = gladdened; pramuditaH = [further] highly gladdened; nR^ipaH = king; tadaa = then; putram = son [sons]; aatmaanam = he himself; punaH jaatam = again, born; mene = presumed – presumed to have taken a rebirth.
Verse 6, 7 & 8a
चोदयामास तां सेनां जगामाशु ततः पुरीम् |
पताकाध्वजिनीं रम्यां तूर्योद्घुष्टनिनादिताम् || १-७७-६
सिक्तराजपथां रम्यां प्रकीर्णकुसुमोत्कराम् |
राजप्रवेशसुमुखैः पौरैर्मंगलपाणिभिः || १-७७-७
संपूर्णां प्राविशद्राजा जनौघैः समलंकृताम् |
Then the King Dasharatha ordered that legion to move ahead, and then they all went towards delightful city Ayodhya, whose royal highways are wetted with water, sprinkled with bunches of flowers, decorated with banners and bannerettes up above them, and reverberating with high sounding bugle-horns. Further, those highways are replete with urbanites welcomers who are handling welcoming kits which are golden handy-crates or plates in which lit camphor, fragrant incenses, vermilion powder, flowers to shower on the incomers are arranged, and those highways are well-decorated with throngs of people who are glee-faced at their king’s re-entry, and into such an exhilarating city Ayodhya king Dasharatha and his retinue entered. [1-77-7, 8a]
6, 7, 8a. raajaa = king; taam senaam codayaamaasa = ordered to move ahead that legion; tataH = later; pataakaadhvajiniim = which has banners, bannerettes – flags; ramyaam = beautiful one; tuuryodghuSTaninaaditaam = reverberated with high sounding bugle-horns; siktaraajapathaa = with wetted royal highways; prakiirNakusumotkaraam = bestrewn, with bunches of flowers; raajapraveshasumukhaiH = glee-faced at king’s entry; mangalapaaNibhiH pauraiH = urbanites with welcoming kits in their hands; sampuurNaam = replete with; janoghaiH samalamkR^itaam = well-decorated by swarm of people; ramyaam puriim jagaama = went into such exhilarating city Ayodhya; and; aashu praavishat = quickly entered.
Verse 8b & 9
पौरैः प्रत्युद्गतो दूरं द्विजैश्च पुरवासिभिः || १-७७-८
पुत्रैरनुगतः श्रीमान् श्रीमद्भिश्च महायशाः |
प्रविवेश गृहं राजा हिमवत्सदृशं प्रियम् || १-७७-९
When the citizenry and city-dwelling Brahman-s have received him from a distance, that illustrious king Dasharatha followed by his phenomenal and praiseworthy sons then entered his happy house and home, which is like the lofty and lordly Himalayan palazzo. [1-77-8b, 9]
8b, 9. pauraiH = by citizenry; puravaasibhiH dvijaiH ca = city dwelling Brahman-s, also; duuram = from a distance; pratyudgataH = towards oppositely going [people came to receive the king]; shriimadbhiH putraiH ca = with illustrious sons, also; anugataH = followed by; shriimaan mahaayashaaH raajaa = phenomenal, praiseworthy, king; himavat sadR^isham = like Himalayan [lofty and lordly palazzo] ; priyam gR^iham = happy, house and home; pravivesha = entered.
Verse 10 & 11a
ननन्द स्वजनै राजा गृहे कामैः सुपूजितः |
कौसल्या च सुमित्रा च कैकेयी च सुमध्यमा || १-७७-१०
वधूप्रतिग्रहे युक्ता याश्चान्या राजयोषितः |
In palace king Dasharatha is overjoyed when he is surrounded with his own inmates of palace-chambers, and when his long cherished ambitions have come true, while his queens, Kausalya, Sumitra, and slender waisted Kaikeyi and other wives are overjoyed in the functions of receiving the four brides. [1-77-10]
10, 11a. raajaa = king; gR^ihe = in palace; kaamaiH supuujitaH = well reverenced [when his long cherished ambitions have come true] by ambitions; svajanaiH nananda = [king is] overjoyed with own people; kausalyaa ca = Kausalya, also; sumitraa ca = Sumitra, also; sumadhyamaa = good at middle [well-waisted]; kaikeyii ca = Kaikeyi, also; yaaH anyaaH raajayoSitaH = which of those, other, king’s wives – are there, they; vadhuupratigrahe yuktaaH = engaged in receiving brides; – nananduH = overjoyed.
Verse 11b & 12a
ततः सीतां महाभागामूर्मिलां च यशस्विनीम् || १-७७-११
कुशध्वजसुते चोभे जगृहुर्नृपयोषितः |
Then the womenfolk of the king welcomed the highly propitious Seetha and the highly fortunate Urmila too, along with both the daughters of Kushadhvaja, namely Maandavi and Shrutakiirti, with pageantry and festivity. [1-77-11b, 12a]
11b-12a. tataH = then; nR^ipayoSitaH = wives [womenfolk] of king; mahaabhaagaam siitaam = highly propitious, Seetha; yashasviniim uurmilaam ca = highly fortunate, Urmila, also; ubhe sute ca Kushadhvaja = both daughters of Kushadhvaja, also; jagR^ihuH = received [welcomed.]
Verse 12b & 13a
मंगलालापनैर्होमैः शोभिताः क्षौमवाससः || १-७७-१२
देवतायतनान्याशु सर्वास्ताः प्रत्यपूजयन् |
All of the brides and bridegrooms clad in silks promptly worshipped the gods in sanctums to the benedictory chanting of Vedic hymns and Ritual-fires, thus they shone forth like the tongues of Holy Fires of Vedic Altars. [1-77-12b, 13a]
12b-13a. taaH sarvaaH = they, all – brides and bridegrooms; shobhitaaH = shining forth; kSaumavaasasaH = in silks clad; mangalaalaapanaiH = with benedictory chanting [of Vedic hymns]; homaiH = with Ritual-fire; aashu = promptly; devataayatanaani pratyapuujayan = they have worshipped the gods in sanctums.
Verse 13b & 14a
अभिवाद्याभिवाद्यांश्च सर्वा राजसुतास्तदा || १-७७-१३
रेमिरे मुदिताः सर्वा भर्तृभिः सहिता रहः |
Then all the princesses paid respects to all of the respectable ones, and they luxuriated in sequestered palace-chambers along with their husbands. [1-77-13b, 14a]
13b, 14a. tadaa = then; sarvaaH raajasutaaH = all, king’s daughters – princesses; abhivaadyaan abhivaadya ca = on paying respects to them those who are respect worthy, also; rahaH = in sequestered [palace-chambers]; bhartR^ibhiH sahitaa = along with husbands; muditaaH sarvaaH = all gladdened; remire = luxuriated in.
Verse 14b & 15a
कृतदाराः कृतास्त्राश्च सधनाः ससुहृज्जनाः || १-७७-१४
शुश्रूषमाणाः पितरं वर्तयन्ति नरर्षभाः |
And those best men among men, Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, who are by now accomplished persons in weaponry and whose marriages have also come to pass, occupied themselves in the welfare of kingdom while assisting their father and moving around with good hearted people. [1-77-14b, 15a]
14b, 15a. nararSabhaaH [kumaaraaH] = best men – bridegrooms; kR^itadaaraaH = made [come to pass] marriages; kR^itaastraaH ca = made [accomplished,] in weaponry, also; sadhanaaH = with riches; sasuhR^ijjanaaH = with good hearted people [around]; pitaram = father; shushruuSamaaNaaH = assisting; vartayanti = occupied themselves – in welfare of kingdom.
Verse 15b & 16a
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य राजा दशरधः सुतम् || १-७७-१५
भरतं कैकेयीपुत्रमब्रवीद्रघुनन्दनः |
Then after sometime that king Dasharatha, the legatee of Raghu-s, spoke to his and Kaikeyi’s son, Bharata. [1-77-15b, 16a]
15b, 16a. atha kasyacit kaalasya = then, after some, time; raghunandanaH = Rahu’s legatee; raajaa dasharadhaH = king, Dasharatha; kaikeyiiputram = to Kaikeyi’s son; sutam = to [his own] son; bharatam = to Bharata; abraviit = spoke.
Verse 16b & 17a
अयं केकयराजस्य पुत्रो वसति पुत्रक || १-७७-१६
त्वां नेतुमागतो वीरो युधाजिन्मातुलस्तव |
“This is your maternal uncle and the son of king of Kekaya, and this valiant Yudhaajit came here to take you to Kekaya province, and he is staying behind because of your marriage…” thus Dasharatha bade farewell to Bharata suggesting that Bharata may now go with Yudhaajit. [1-77-16b, 17a]
16b, 17a. putraka = oh son; tvaam netum = to take you; aagataH = came [here]; kekeyaraajasya putraH = Kekaya king’s, son; viiraH = valiant one; tava maatulaH = your, maternal uncle; ayam yudhaajit = this, Yudhaajit; vasati = is staying behind.
Verse 17b & 18a
श्रुत्वा दशरथस्यैतद्भरतः कैकेयीसुतः || १-७७-१७
गमनायाभिचक्राम शत्रुघ्नसहितस्तदा |
On hearing the opinion of Dasharatha, Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi, then readied himself to travel along with Shatrughna to Kekaya province. [1-77-17b, 18a]
17b, 18a. kaikeyiisutaH bharataH = Kaikeyi’s son, Bharata; dasharathasya etat shrutvaa = on hearing all that [opinion] of Dasharatha’s; tadaa = then; shatrughnasahitaH = along with Shatrughna; gamanaaya abhicakraama = readied himself to travel.
Verse 18b & 19a
आपृच्छ्य पितरं शूरो रामं चाक्लिष्टकर्मणम् || १-७७-१८
मातृश्चापि नरश्रेष्टः शत्रुघ्नसहितो ययौ |
That valiant and best one among men Bharata on asking leave from his father, from Rama, an uncomplicatedly dextrous one in undertaking deeds, and even from his mothers, Kaikeyi, Sumitra, and Kausalya, travelled on along with Shatrughna. [1-77-18b, 19a]
18b, 19a. shuuraH = valiant one Bharata; pitaram = from father; akliSTakarmaNam = doer of deeds without complexities [uncomplicatedly dextrous in deeds]; raamam ca = from, Rama; maatR^IH ca api = from mothers, also, even; aapR^icChya = on asking leave; narashreSTaH = best one among men Bharata; shatrughnasahitaH yayau = travelled along with Shatrughna.
Verse 19b & 20a
युधाजित् प्राप्य भरतं सशत्रुघ्नं प्रहर्षितः || १-७७-१९
स्वपुरं प्राविशद्वीरः पिता तस्य तुतोष ह |
Yudhaajit on clinching not only Bharata, but Shatrughna also, that valiant one is highly gladdened and entered his own city, indeed to the high rejoice of his father, King of Kekaya. [1-77-19b, 20a]
19b-20a. praapya bharatam shatrughnam = on clinching, Bharata, Shatrughna; yudhaajit = Yudhaajit; praharSitaH = is highly gladdened; saH viiraH = he, that valiant one; svapuram praavishat = entered his own city; tasya pitaa tutoSa ha = his, father, highly rejoiced, indeed.
Verse 20b & 21a
गते च भरते रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः || १-७७-२०
पितरं देवसंकाशं पूजयामासतुस्तदा |
After the departure of Bharata, then the masterly proficient Rama along with Lakshmana started to square with the plans and programs of his godly father for an ideal-sovereignty. [1-77-20b, 21a]
20b, 21a. tadaa = then; bharate gate = after departure of Bharata; mahaabalaH = great mighty Rama [here: masterly proficient Rama]; raamaH lakshmaNaH ca = Rama, Lakshmana, also; devasankaasham = god, like [godly]; pitaram = father; puujayaamaasatuH = started to worship [square with.]
Verse 21b, 22 & 23a
पितुराज्ञां पुरस्कृत्य पौरकार्याणि सर्वशः || १-७७-२१
चकार रामः सर्वाणि प्रियाणि च हितानि च |
मातृभ्यो मातृकार्याणि कृत्वा परमयंत्रितः || १-७७-२२
गुरूणां गुरुकार्याणि काले कालेऽन्ववैक्षत |
Rama keeping his father’s directives in view undertook welfare activities for the people that are agreeable and even advantageous to them, and in the entirety of those activities, and he undertook activities to humour motherly affection with his mothers, and educational activities with educators, and in a highly self-disciplined manner he used to review them carefully from time to time. [1-77-22b, 22, 23a]
21b, 22-23a. raamaH = Rama; pituH aaj~naam puraskR^itya = keeping afore [in view] father’s directives; sarvaaNi = all of the; priyaaNi ca = agreeable, also; hitaani ca = advantageous, also; paurakaaryaaNi = people’s [welfare] activities; sarvashaH cakaara = undertook in entirety; paramayantritaH = in highly self-disciplined manner; maatR^ibhyaH maatR^ kaaryaaNi = for mothers, mother’s activities [to humour motherly affection]; guruuNaam gurukaaryaaNi = to educators, educational activities; kR^itvaa = on accomplishing; kaale kaale = from time, to time [timely]; anvavaikShata = on examining carefully.
Verse 23b, 24 & 25a
एवं दशरथः प्रीतो ब्राह्मणा नैगमास्तथा || १-७७-२३
रामस्य शीलवृत्तेन सर्वं विषयवासिनः |
तेषामतियशा लोके रामः सत्यपराक्रमः || १-७७-२४
स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः |
That way Dasharatha is pleased with the deportment and comportment of Rama, likewise the Brahman-s and urbanites, and even all of the indwellers in the entire kingdom are pleased, and he who has high distinction, his truthfulness alone is his vantage point, and whose hallmarks are of higher degree, that Rama has manifested himself to those subjects in the kingdom, and even to all of the living beings in the world, as the Self-Created Brahma. [1-77-23b, 24, 25a]
23b, 24-25a. evam = that way; raamasya = of Rama; shiilavR^ittena = deportment and comportment; dasharathaH priitaH = Dasharatha, is pleased; braahmaNaaH tathaa naigamaaH = Brahman-s, likewise, urbanites; sarvam viSayavaasinaH [priitaH] = in entire indwellers of kingdom [are pleased]; loke = in world; atiyashaaH = who has high distinction; guNavat taraH = by higher hallmarks [in degree, de haut en bas]; satyaparaakramaH = truthfulness being vanquishing point [being vantage point]; raamaH = Rama; teSaam = for them [for subjects of kingdom]; bhuutaanaam = among living beings; svayambhuuH iva = as with self born Brahma; babhuuva = became [manifested.]
Verse 25b & 26a
रामश्च सीतया सार्धं विजहार बहूनृतून् || १-७७-२५
मनस्वी तद्गतमानस्य तस्या हृदि समर्पितः |
Also, that hearty Rama who permeated into the heart of Seetha is ensconced in Seetha’s heart alone, and he disported for many seasons along with Seetha. [1-77-25b, 26a]
25b-26a. manasvii raamaH ca = hearty, Rama, also; tat gatamaanasya = her [alone,] one who permeated [into her heart]; tasyaaH hR^idi samarpitaH = well dedicated in her heart [ensconce in her heart]; siitayaa saardham = along with Seetha; bahuun R^ituun vijahaara = disported for many seasons.
Verse 26b & 27a
प्रिया तु सीता रामस्य दाराः पितृकृता इति || १-७७-२६
गुणाद्रूपगुणाच्चापि प्रीतिर्भूयोऽभिवर्धते |
Seetha has become the beloved of Rama as she is wedded with the assent of his father Dasharatha, further Rama’s love for Seetha burgeoned by virtue of Seetha’s own virtues and loveliness. [1-77-26b, 27a]
26b, 27a. siitaa tu = Seetha is, on her part; pitR^ikR^itaa daaraaH = wife made [assented to] by father [Dasharatha] ; iti = thus [on becoming a wife]; raamasya priyaa = Rama’s, beloved one; guNaat = by her own virtues; ruupaguNaat ca api = by virtue of comeliness, also, even; priitiH = desirableness – loveliness; bhuuyaH abhivardhate = furthermore, burgeoning in him.
Verse 27b & 28a
तस्याश्च भर्ता द्विगुणं हृदये परिवर्तते || १-७७-२७
अन्तर्गतमपि व्यक्तमाख्याति हृदयं हृदा |
Even Rama as her husband made his mark in Seetha’s heart twice as good, and they both used to clearly converse about their thoughts in their heart of hearts, just by their hearts. [1-77-27b, 28a]
27b, 28a. bhartaa ca = husband Rama, even; tasyaaH hR^idaye = in her, heart; dviguNam parivartate = made his mark two fold [twice as good]; hR^idayam antargatam api = went into interior of heart [thoughts in heart of hearts]; hR^idaa vyaktam aakhyaati = clearly [both] converse by heart.
Verse 29
तया स राजर्षिसुतोऽभिकामया
समेयिवानुत्तमराजकन्यया |
अतीव रामः शुशुभे मुदान्वितो
विभुः श्रिया विष्णुरिवामरेश्वरः || १-७७-२९
When passionately conjugated with such a princess from the irreproachable king Janaka, Rama, the son of sagely king Dasharatha, has enthusiastically shone forth like the God of Gods and the Efficient Cause, namely Vishnu, when He is together with Goddess Lakshmi. [1-77-29]
29. raajaRSisutaH = son of [Dasharatha] sagely king; saH raamaH = such as he is, Rama; abhikaamayaa [abhiraamayaa] = passionately [she who makes delight]; uttamaraajakanyayaa = with best [irreproachable] king’s daughter; sameyivaan = conjugated / together with; tayaa = with her; shriyaa = with Goddess Lakshmi; amareshvaraH = god of god; vibhuH = The Efficient Cause; viSNuH iva = like Vishnu ; mudaanvitaH = combined with elation; atiiva shushubhe = much [enthusiastically,] shone forth.
Verse 28b & c
तस्य भूयो विशेषेण मैथिली जनकात्मजा |
देवताभिः समा रूपे सीता श्रीरिव रूपिणी || १-७७-२८
In her mien Seetha is identical with goddesses, and she is like personified Goddess Lakshmi, thus she is the reshaped Divine Prosperity, and as she hails from Holy Mithila she shall be held Holy, and since she is the daughter of Janaka, a loftiest sagacious and invincible king, she is sagely and stately, besides being shapely, and she with all these heaps of natural traits and characteristics, Seetha is rejoicing the heart of Rama. [1-77-28b, c]
28b-c. ruupe devataabhiH samaa = in mien identical with goddess’; ruupiNii shriiH iva = personified like Goddess Lakshmi; [or, shrii iva ruupiNii = prosperity, as though, personified, reshaped] maithilii = one from Mithila province [a holy land, hence she is Holy]; janakaatmajaa = Janaka’s soul-born [daughter of the loftiest sagacious king Janaka]; siitaa = Seetha; bhuuyaH = much [indubitably]; [sahajaguNagaNa] visheSeNa = [heaps of natural traits] characteristics; tasya = in his [Rama’s]; [hR^idaye parivartate = meandering in heart, rather rejoicing.]
