Introduction
Sumantra, the minister of King Dasharatha, details the importance of Sage Rishyasringa and beseeches the king to invite that sage to preside over the contemplated Vedic ritual, for that Sage’s entry into any kingdom is auspicious for that land and people.
Verse 1
एतच्छ्रुत्वा रहः सूतो राजानमिदमब्रवीत् |
श्रूयतां तत् पुरावृत्तं पुराणे च मया श्रुतम् || १-९-१
Sumantra, the charioteer and one of the misters of King Dasharatha, having heard all about the king’s desire to perform a Vedic ritual, said this in confidence to king, “oh, king, I will tell an early legend, an early legendary narration that I listened… [1-9-1]
1. etat shrutvaa suutaH = having heard all this, charioteer(Sumantra); raajaanam = to king [Dasharatha]; rahaH idam abraviit = in confidence, in this way, said; shruuyataam tat = I will tell, that; puraavR^ittam = an early legend; puraaNe ca mayaa shrutam = legendary narration, also, listened by me.
Verse 2 & 3a
ऋत्विग्भिरुपदिष्टोऽयं पुरावृत्तो मया श्रुतः |
सनत्कुमारो भगवान् पूर्वं कथितवान् कथाम् || १-९-२
ऋषीणां सन्निधौ राजंस्तव पुत्रागमं प्रति |
“Oh, king, I have earlier heard of this present advice given to you by Vedic scholars, as godly Sage Sanatkumara has once narrated an account about the arrival of your sons in the presence of other sages, and sage Sanat Kumara said… [1-9-2, 3a]
2, 3a. raajan = oh King; R^itvigbhiH upadiSTaH = advised by Vedic scholars; ayam puraavR^ittaH = this is, happened[narrated] earlier; sanatkumaaraH bhagavaan = Sage Sanatkumara, godly one; puurvam kathitavaan kathaam = once, narrated, an account [about your progeny]; R^iSiiNaam sannidhau = of [other] sages, presence of; tava putraagamam prati = about arrival of, your, sons, about; mayaa shrutaH = heard by me.
Verse 3b & 4
काश्यपस्य च पुत्रोऽस्ति विभाण्डक इति श्रुतः || १-९-३
ऋष्यशृङ्ग इति ख्यातस्तस्य पुत्रो भविष्यति
स वने नित्यसंवृद्धो मुनिर्वनचरः सदा || १-९-४
“He said that “Sage Kashyapa has a son known as Vibhaandaka, and his son will be the renowned Sage Rishyasringa, and that Sage Rishyasringa will grow up in forests, and will always be dwelling in forest… [1-9-3b, 4]
3b, 4. kaashyapasya ca putraH asti = Sage Kashyapa has a son; vibhaaNDakaH iti shrutaH = thus known as Vibhaandaka; tasya putraH = his son [Vibhandaka’s son,] will be; RishyasringaH iti khyaataH bhaviShyati = thus will be renowned as Rishyasringa; saH muniH vane nityasamvR^iddhaH = he, that saint [Rishyasringa,] always grown up in forest; vanacharaH sadaa = [that sage] Rishyasringa always forestdweller.
Verse 5
नान्यं जानाति विप्रेन्द्रो नित्यं पित्रनुवर्तनात् |
द्वैविध्यं ब्रहचर्यस्य भविष्यति महात्मनः || १-९-५
Not knowing others that Brahman the best, will always be abiding his father, lest his renowned celibacy always praised by the Brahmans, will be hindered. [1-9-5]
5. viprendraH = the best Brahman; na anyam jaanaati = not knowing others; nityam pitranuvartanaat = always abiding father; dvaividhyam = hindrance [two kinds]; brahmacharyasya = of his celibacy; bhaviSyati = he will be following/will occur to him; mahaatmanaH = to that great soul.
Verse 6
लोकेषु प्रथितं राजन् विप्रैश्च कथितं सदा |
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य कालः समभिवर्तत || १-९-६
“In the world he becomes famous for his celibacy, oh king, and he will always be praised by Brahmans, and thus time will pass on with that kind of his conduct. [1-9-6]
6. lokeSu prathitam = famous in the world; raajan = oh King; vipraiH cha kathitam sadaa = by Brahmans, praised, always; tasya evam vartamaanasya = him, thus, with that conduct; kaalaH samabhivartata = time, will pass on.
Verse 7 & 8a
अग्निं शुश्रूषमाणस्य पितरं च यशस्विनम् |
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु रोमपादः प्रतापवान् || १-९-७
अङ्गेषु प्रथितो राजा भविष्यति महाबलः |
Sage Rishyasringa looses no time with his servitor-ship to the Sacrificial Fire and also to his celebrated father, and during this period alone there will be a famed and very strong king Romapaada, a valiant in Anga country… [1-9-7, 8a]
7, 8a. agnim = to Sacrificial Fire; shushruuShamaaNasya = while in servitor-ship of; pitaram cha = to his father, also; yashasvinam = prosperous one; etasmin eva = in this, only; kaale = meantime; prataapavaan = valiant one; raajaa = king; romapaadaH = Romapaada; angeShu = in Anga kingdom; prathitaH = famed one; bhaviShyati = will be there; mahaabalaH = very strong one.
Verse 8b & 9a
तस्य व्यतिक्रमाद्राज्ञो भविष्यति सुदारुणा || १-९-८
अनावृष्ठिः सुघोरा वै सर्वभूतभयावहा |
“But by a violation of righteousness of that king there will be a shocking and devastating famine in that country…[1-9-8b, 9a]
8b, 9. tasya raaj~naH vyatikramaat = his, that king’s, violation of righteousness; sughoraa = very devastating; sudaaruNaa = verily shocking; sarvabhuutabhayaavahaa = frightening one to all living beings; anaavR^iSTiH bhaviSyati = famine, will be there.
Verse 9b & 10a
अनावृष्ट्यां तु वृत्तायां राजा दुःखसमन्वितः || १-९-९
ब्राह्मणान् श्रुतवृद्धांश्च समानीय प्रवक्ष्यति |
“While the famine is besetting that king Roamapada will be afflicted with grim, and on summoning Brahmans and learned scholars he will address them… [1-9-9b. 10a]
9b, 10a. anaavR^iSTyaam = due to drought; vR^ittaayaam = [famine] while besetting; raajaa = the king; duHkhasamanvitaH = afflicted with grim; braahmaNaan = Brahmans; shrutavriddhaan = in scriptures well versed ones[learned, scholars]; samaaniiya = on summoning; pravakShyati = addresses them.
Verse 10b & 11a
भवन्तः श्रुतधर्माणो लोकचारित्रवेदिनः || १-९-१०
समादिशन्तु नियमं प्रायश्चित्तं यथा भवेत् |
“All of you are well versed in rituals and knowers of the world history… order me how to how the purification from sin will be… [1-9-10b, 11a]
10b, 11a. bhavantaH = all of you; shrutadharmaaNaH = well versed in rituals; lokachaaritravedinaH = knowers of world history; samaadishantu = order me; yathaa = as to how; niyamam = the procedure is; praayashchittam = for purification; bhavet = will be.
Verse 11b & 12
इत्युक्तास्ते ततो राज्ञा सर्वे ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः || १-९-११
वक्ष्यन्ति ते महीपालं ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः |
विभाण्डकसुतं राजन् सर्वोपायैरिहानय || १-९-१२
“Thus said by king those scholarly Brahmans and Vedic scholars will say to the king, ‘oh, king, son of Sage Vibhaandaka, namely Rishyasringa, is to be fetched by all methods… [1-9-11b, 12]
11b, 12. iti uktavaa te raaj~naa = thus, said by king to them; sarve braahmaNasattamaaH = to all those scholarly Brahmans; vedapaaragaaH braahmaNaaH = Veda scholars, Brahmans; mahiipaalam = to the king; te vakShyanti = they, will say; raajan = oh king; vibhaaNDakasutam = Sage Vibhandaka’s son; sarvopaayaiH = by all methods; iha aanaya = here, you fetch.
Verse 13
आनाय्य तु महीपाल ऋश्यशृङ्गं सुसत्कृतम् ।
विभाण्डकसुतं राजन् ब्राह्मणं वेदपारगम् ।
प्रयच्छ कन्यां शान्तां वै विधिना सुसमाहितः ॥१-९-१३
“Oh! King, having brought Sage Rishyasringa and honouring him well with good care, procedurally give him your daughter Shanta in marriage to that Vedic Brahman and the son of Sage Vibhaandaka… [1-9-13]
13. mahiipala = oh king; aanaayya = on bringing; R^iShyashR^ingam= Rishyasringa; vibhaaNDakasutam= Vibhaandaka’s son; braahmaNam vedapaaragam= Brahman, Veda scholar; susatkR^itam= well honoured one; samaahitaH= with good care; kanyaam shaantaam vidhinaa prayacCha= girl [daughter,] Shanta, procedurally, you give [in marriage.]
Verse 14
तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा चिन्तां प्रपत्स्यते |
केनोपायेन वै शक्यमिहानेतुं स वीर्यवान् || १-९-१४
“On listening them the king becomes thoughtful about the idea by which it is possible to bring that self-controlled sage to his place… [1-9-14]
14. teSaam tu = their, but; vachanam = words; shrutvaa = having listening; raajaa = the king; chintaam prapatsyate = thought, will obtain [becomes thoughtful]; kena upaayena = by which, means; shakyam = possible; saH viiryavaan = he, who has controlled his senses; iha aanetum = to here, be fetched.
Verse 15
ततो राजा विनिश्चित्य सह मंत्रिभिरात्मवान् |
पुरोहितममात्यांश्च प्रेषयिष्यति सत्कृतान् || १-९-१५
“Then that intellectual king decides along with ministers, to dispatch clergymen and ministers, honouring them well, and then sends them… [1-9-15]
15. tataH = then; raajaa = the king; vinishchitya = decides; saha = along with; mantribhiH = ministers; aatmavaan = one with intelligence; purohitam = clergymen; amaatyaan cha = ministers, also; tataH = then; preSayiSyati = will send.
Verse 16
ते तु राज्ञो वचः श्रुत्वा व्यथिता विनताननाः |
न गच्छेम ऋषेर्भीता अनुनेष्यन्ति तं नृपम् || १-९-१६
“They on hearing king’s words are awestruck and lowering their faces they will say, ‘we can not go there as we are afraid of sage Vibhandaka, father of Rishyasringa…’ [1-9-16]
16. te tu = they, but; raajnaH vachaH = king’s, words; shrutvaa = on hearing; vyathitaaH = awestruck; vinataananaaH = lowering faces; na gacChema = [we] can not go; R^iSeH bhiitaaH = afraid of that sage; anuneShyanti = plead for mercy; tam nripam = of that, king.
Verse 17
वक्ष्यन्ति चिंतयित्वा ते तस्योपायांश्च तत्क्षमान् |
आनेष्यामो वयं विप्रं न च दोषो भविष्यति || १-९-१७
“After thinking over they will say as a second thought, and having found a solution with a plan to bring that sage, ‘we will fetch that Brahman and also by that no stigma will occur…’ [1-9-18]
17. chintayitaa te vakSyanti = after thinking over, they [as a second thought,] will say; tat kShamaan upaayaan tasya = that, plan, to bring the sage; vayam vipram aaneShyaamaH = we will fetch that Brahman, Rishyasringa,; na cha doShaH bhaviShyati = no, also, stigma will occur.
Verse 18
एवमङ्गाधिपेनैव गणिकाभिर्ऋषेः सुतः |
आनीतोऽवर्षयद्देवः शान्ता चास्मै प्रदीयते || १-९-१८
“Thus by the king of Anga kingdom and by his courtesans the son of sage Rishyasringa will be brought and the presiding deity for rains will shower rains, and Shanta will also be given in marriage to that sage…’ [1-9-18]
18. evam angaadhipena eva = thus, Anga country’s king [Romapaada] thus; gaNikaabhiH = by courtesans; R^iSeH sutaH = Sage’s, son [Rishyasringa]; aaniitaH = [sage will be] brought; [then] devaH avarSayat = god[Rain-god] will shower rains; shaantaa pradiiyate cha = Shanta will be given to him, also.
Verse 19
ऋष्यशृङ्गस्तु जामाता पुत्रांस्तव विधास्यति |
सनत्कुमारकथितमेतावद्व्याहृतं मया || १-९-१९
“Sage Rishyasringa, son-in-law of Romapaada, King of Anga ad as well as to you, if invited to our kingdom he will bless you to beget sons, oh! King… so said Sage Sanatkumaara to other sages and all this is retold by me.” [Thus the charioteer and the Minister Sumantra completed his narration in confidence to King Dasharatha.] [1-9-19]
19. RiShyasringaH tu jaamaataa = Rishyasringa, son-in-law(of Romapaada); putraan tava vidhaasyati = bless with sons to you; etaavat vyaahR^itam mayaa = all this, retold, by me; sanatkumaarakathitam = as said by Sanatkumaara.
Verse 20
अथ हृष्टो दशरथः सुमंत्रं प्रत्यभाषत |
यथर्ऋष्यशृङ्गस्त्वानीतो विस्तरेण तथोच्यताम् || १-९-२०
Then King Dasharatha is delighted and in turn spoke to Sumantra “By what idea Rishyasringa is brought to Anga kingdom, that shall be said elaborately…” [1-9-20]
20. atha hR^iSTaH dasharathaH = then, delighted, Dasharatha; sumantram prati abhaaSata = to Sumantra, in turn, spoke; yathaa R^iSyashR^i~NgaH aaniitaH = how, Rishyasringa, brought [to Anga Kingdom]; vistareNa tathaa ucyataam = shall be said elaborately.
इति वल्मीकिरामायणे आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे नवमः सर्गः
