Prakarana 1

Verse 1 (श्लोक)

यस्याङ्के च विभाति भूधरसुता देवापगा मस्तके भाले बालविधुर्गले च गरलं यस्योरसि व्यालराट्। सोऽयं भूतिविभूषणः सुरवरः सर्वाधिपः सर्वदा शर्वः सर्वगतः शिवः शशिनिभः श्रीशङ्करः पातु माम्।।1।। प्रसन्नतां या न गताभिषेकतस्तथा न मम्ले वनवासदुःखतः। मुखाम्बुजश्री रघुनन्दनस्य मे सदास्तु सा मञ्जुलमंगलप्रदा।।2।। नीलाम्बुजश्यामलकोमलाङ्गं सीतासमारोपितवामभागम्। पाणौ महासायकचारुचापं नमामि रामं रघुवंशनाथम्।।3।।

May that best of gods, the Lord of all, forever adorned with ashes as his ornament, protect me: he in whose lap shines the daughter of the mountain, who bears the celestial river upon his head, who has the young moon on his brow, the poison in his throat, and the serpent-king as a garland across his chest; he who is Sharva, the all-pervading, the gracious, the moon-hued, the blessed Shankara. May the lotus-face of the delight of the Raghus ever grant me fair and auspicious blessings; she who was not gladdened by the coronation, nor cast down by the sorrow of exile to the forest. I bow to Rama, the Lord of the Raghu race, who is dark as a blue lotus, of tender limbs, with Sita seated on his left side, holding in his hand a lovely bow and choice arrows.

Verse 2 (दोहा/सोरठा)

श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि।।

With the dust of the lotus feet of the revered Guru, I have polished the mirror of my heart; now I shall recount the spotless glory of the Best of the Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of human life.

Verse 3 (चौपाई)

जब तें रामु ब्याहि घर आए। नित नव मंगल मोद बधाए।। भुवन चारिदस भूधर भारी। सुकृत मेघ बरषहि सुख बारी।। रिधि सिधि संपति नदीं सुहाई। उमगि अवध अंबुधि कहुँ आई।। मनिगन पुर नर नारि सुजाती। सुचि अमोल सुंदर सब भाँती।। कहि न जाइ कछु नगर बिभूती। जनु एतनिअ बिरंचि करतूती।। सब बिधि सब पुर लोग सुखारी। रामचंद मुख चंदु निहारी।। मुदित मातु सब सखीं सहेली। फलित बिलोकि मनोरथ बेली।। राम रूपु गुनसीलु सुभाऊ। प्रमुदित होइ देखि सुनि राऊ।।

From the time Rama returned home after his wedding, each day brought new blessings and ever-growing joy. The whole world, the fourteen realms and the great continents, was showered with happiness by the clouds of good deeds. Riches, supernatural powers, and every treasure swelled like rivers; Ayodhya was filled to overflowing like the sea. In that city, men and women of noble birth were like jewels, pure, priceless, and beautiful in every way. The city's splendor cannot be told; it was as if Brahma himself had created it. All the people of the city were happy in every way, gazing upon the moon of Rama's face. All the mothers and the loving companions rejoiced, their hearts' desires fulfilled at the sight. Seeing and hearing of Rama's beauty, his virtues, and his noble nature, the king himself was filled with delight.

Verse 4 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सब कें उर अभिलाषु अस कहहिं मनाइ महेसु। आप अछत जुबराज पद रामहि देउ नरेसु।।1।।

In everyone's heart there is this one longing, and they speak of it after winning over Shiva: the king himself should install Rama as crown prince, for he desires nothing for himself.

Verse 5 (चौपाई)

एक समय सब सहित समाजा। राजसभाँ रघुराजु बिराजा।। सकल सुकृत मूरति नरनाहू। राम सुजसु सुनि अतिहि उछाहू।। नृप सब रहहिं कृपा अभिलाषें। लोकप करहिं प्रीति रुख राखें।। तिभुवन तीनि काल जग माहीं। भूरि भाग दसरथ सम नाहीं।। मंगलमूल रामु सुत जासू। जो कछु कहिज थोर सबु तासू।। रायँ सुभायँ मुकुरु कर लीन्हा। बदनु बिलोकि मुकुट सम कीन्हा।। श्रवन समीप भए सित केसा। मनहुँ जरठपनु अस उपदेसा।। नृप जुबराज राम कहुँ देहू। जीवन जनम लाहु किन लेहू।।

At one time all were gathered together, and the King of the Raghus graced the royal assembly. He was the very image of all virtue, the lord of men; hearing the fair fame of Rama, he felt great delight. All the kings remained filled with kindly wishes, and showed love to the people, keeping their trust. In the three worlds, in the three times, there is no such great fortune as Dasharatha's in all the world. Rama, the root of all blessing, is his son; whatever may be said, all is little in comparison to him. The king, in his natural kindness, took the mirror in his hand; gazing upon his face, he seemed to wear a crown. White hairs appeared near his ears, as if old age were giving him such counsel. "O king, install Rama as crown prince; what profit do you take from life and birth?"

Verse 6 (दोहा/सोरठा)

यह बिचारु उर आनि नृप सुदिनु सुअवसरु पाइ। प्रेम पुलकि तन मुदित मन गुरहि सुनायउ जाइ।।2।।

Having brought this thought into his heart, and finding a fair day and a fitting hour, the king, his body thrilled with love and his heart filled with joy, went and made it known to his guru.

Verse 7 (चौपाई)

कहइ भुआलु सुनिअ मुनिनायक। भए राम सब बिधि सब लायक।। सेवक सचिव सकल पुरबासी। जे हमारे अरि मित्र उदासी।। सबहि रामु प्रिय जेहि बिधि मोही। प्रभु असीस जनु तनु धरि सोही।। बिप्र सहित परिवार गोसाईं। करहिं छोहु सब रौरिहि नाई।। जे गुर चरन रेनु सिर धरहीं। ते जनु सकल बिभव बस करहीं।। मोहि सम यहु अनुभयउ न दूजें। सबु पायउँ रज पावनि पूजें।। अब अभिलाषु एकु मन मोरें। पूजहि नाथ अनुग्रह तोरें।। मुनि प्रसन्न लखि सहज सनेहू। कहेउ नरेस रजायसु देहू।।

The lord of the earth said, "O lord of sages, hear me. Rama has become worthy in every way. My servants, ministers, and all the townsfolk, and those who are my enemies, friends, or indifferent, all love Rama as they love me; he bears himself as if he were my very blessing in bodily form. The brahmins, together with their families and households, all feel affection for him and will obey you. Those who bear the dust of the guru's feet upon their heads, they, as it were, hold all prosperity in their sway. No other has felt such love as I have; I have obtained all by worshipping the dust of his feet. Now there is one desire in my heart: that you, O lord, may graciously grant your blessing. Seeing the sage naturally pleased and affectionate, the king bade him ask what he would."

Verse 8 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राजन राउर नामु जसु सब अभिमत दातार। फल अनुगामी महिप मनि मन अभिलाषु तुम्हार।।3।।

O king, your name and fame are the givers of all that is desired. O jewel among kings, may your heart's desire be fulfilled.

Verse 9 (चौपाई)

सब बिधि गुरु प्रसन्न जियँ जानी। बोलेउ राउ रहँसि मृदु बानी।। नाथ रामु करिअहिं जुबराजू। कहिअ कृपा करि करिअ समाजू।। मोहि अछत यहु होइ उछाहू। लहहिं लोग सब लोचन लाहू।। प्रभु प्रसाद सिव सबइ निबाहीं। यह लालसा एक मन माहीं।। पुनि न सोच तनु रहउ कि जाऊ। जेहिं न होइ पाछें पछिताऊ।। सुनि मुनि दसरथ बचन सुहाए। मंगल मोद मूल मन भाए।। सुनु नृप जासु बिमुख पछिताहीं। जासु भजन बिनु जरनि न जाहीं।। भयउ तुम्हार तनय सोइ स्वामी। रामु पुनीत प्रेम अनुगामी।।

Knowing in his heart that the guru was pleased in every way, the king spoke with gentle, smiling words. "O lord, let Rama be made crown prince. Show your mercy and let the assembly be arranged. This is my heart's gladness; all the people shall receive the delight of their eyes. By the Lord's grace all will be accomplished; this is the one longing in my heart. Let me not sorrow afterwards, thinking, 'Why did I not do this?', for there is regret for what is left undone. Hearing Dasharatha's fair words, the sage's heart was filled with joy and gladness, the root of all blessing. "Hear, O king: they who turn away from him shall regret it; they whose worship cannot be abandoned even in adversity. He has become your son, that very Lord, the holy Rama, who follows love."

Verse 10 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बेगि बिलंबु न करिअ नृप साजिअ सबुइ समाजु। सुदिन सुमंगलु तबहिं जब रामु होहिं जुबराजु।।4।।

Make no delay, O king; arrange the whole assembly. That alone is a fine and auspicious day when Rama becomes the crown prince.

Verse 11 (चौपाई)

मुदित महिपति मंदिर आए। सेवक सचिव सुमंत्रु बोलाए।। कहि जयजीव सीस तिन्ह नाए। भूप सुमंगल बचन सुनाए।। जौं पाँचहि मत लागै नीका। करहु हरषि हियँ रामहि टीका।। मंत्री मुदित सुनत प्रिय बानी। अभिमत बिरवँ परेउ जनु पानी।। बिनती सचिव करहि कर जोरी। जिअहु जगतपति बरिस करोरी।। जग मंगल भल काजु बिचारा। बेगिअ नाथ न लाइअ बारा।। नृपहि मोदु सुनि सचिव सुभाषा। बढ़त बौंड़ जनु लही सुसाखा।।

The delighted king came to the palace and called his servants, counselors, and Sumantra. He bade them victory and long life, and they bowed their heads; the king spoke words of good omen. "If the counsel of all five of you is good, then gladly set the tilak upon Rama's forehead." The ministers were glad to hear his gracious words; their secret desire was fulfilled, as it were, like water upon parched land. The counselors made supplication with joined palms: "May you live, O Lord of the world, for crores of years." "For the welfare of the world and for a good purpose this has been considered; delay not, O Lord, let there be no postponement." Hearing the counselors' fair speech, the king's joy increased, like a tree that has received fresh shoots.

Verse 12 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कहेउ भूप मुनिराज कर जोइ जोइ आयसु होइ। राम राज अभिषेक हित बेगि करहु सोइ सोइ।।5।।

The king said, "O sage, whatever command is given, do all of it at once for the consecration of Rama's rule."

Verse 13 (चौपाई)

हरषि मुनीस कहेउ मृदु बानी। आनहु सकल सुतीरथ पानी।। औषध मूल फूल फल पाना। कहे नाम गनि मंगल नाना।। चामर चरम बसन बहु भाँती। रोम पाट पट अगनित जाती।। मनिगन मंगल बस्तु अनेका। जो जग जोगु भूप अभिषेका।। बेद बिदित कहि सकल बिधाना। कहेउ रचहु पुर बिबिध बिताना।। सफल रसाल पूगफल केरा। रोपहु बीथिन्ह पुर चहुँ फेरा।। रचहु मंजु मनि चौकें चारू। कहहु बनावन बेगि बजारू।। पूजहु गनपति गुर कुलदेवा। सब बिधि करहु भूमिसुर सेवा।।

Gladly the sage spoke gentle words: "Bring all things that are hard to obtain." "Herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, and cloths; name and count the many auspicious things." Fly-whisks, garments of many kinds, silks and fine cloths of countless varieties. Jewels and many auspicious objects, all that is fitting for the consecration of a king. He told them all the procedures known from the Vedas and bade them prepare diverse pavilions in the city. "Plant mango trees laden with fruit, areca palms, and banana trees along the streets on all four sides of the city." "Prepare beautiful jeweled squares and charming courtyards; bid the markets be made ready without delay." "Worship Ganesha, the guru, and the family deities; perform all the services for the king of the land."

Verse 14 (दोहा/सोरठा)

ध्वज पताक तोरन कलस सजहु तुरग रथ नाग। सिर धरि मुनिबर बचन सबु निज निज काजहिं लाग।।6।।

Set up flags, banners, archways, and finials; adorn horses, chariots, and elephants. Bearing in mind the words of the great sage, each one set to his own task.

Verse 15 (चौपाई)

जो मुनीस जेहि आयसु दीन्हा। सो तेहिं काजु प्रथम जनु कीन्हा।। बिप्र साधु सुर पूजत राजा। करत राम हित मंगल काजा।। सुनत राम अभिषेक सुहावा। बाज गहागह अवध बधावा।। राम सीय तन सगुन जनाए। फरकहिं मंगल अंग सुहाए।। पुलकि सप्रेम परसपर कहहीं। भरत आगमनु सूचक अहहीं।। भए बहुत दिन अति अवसेरी। सगुन प्रतीति भेंट प्रिय केरी।। भरत सरिस प्रिय को जग माहीं। इहइ सगुन फलु दूसर नाहीं।। रामहि बंधु सोच दिन राती। अंडन्हि कमठ ह्रदउ जेहि भाँती।।

Whatever command the Lord of sages gave to someone, that very task he performed first of all. The king worships brahmins, saints, and gods, and performs deeds that bring welfare and benefit to Rama. Hearing of Rama's auspicious consecration, Ayodhya was filled with the sounds of instruments and great rejoicing. Rama and Sita's bodies showed auspicious signs; their beautiful limbs quivered with good omens. Thrilled with love, they spoke to one another; these were indications of Bharata's coming. Many days had passed in great expectation; the signs gave assurance of a meeting with the beloved. There is none in the world as dear as Bharata; this is the fruit of the signs, and there is no other. Rama thinks of his brother day and night, just as a tortoise cherishes its eggs within its heart.

Verse 16 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एहि अवसर मंगलु परम सुनि रहँसेउ रनिवासु। सोभत लखि बिधु बढ़त जनु बारिधि बीचि बिलासु।।7।।

At this auspicious moment, hearing of the supreme good fortune, the palace rejoiced; it shone beautifully, appearing like the moon increasing its splendor, like the ocean sporting amidst its waves.

Verse 17 (चौपाई)

प्रथम जाइ जिन्ह बचन सुनाए। भूषन बसन भूरि तिन्ह पाए।। प्रेम पुलकि तन मन अनुरागीं। मंगल कलस सजन सब लागीं।। चौकें चारु सुमित्राँ पुरी। मनिमय बिबिध भाँति अति रुरी।। आनँद मगन राम महतारी। दिए दान बहु बिप्र हँकारी।। पूजीं ग्रामदेबि सुर नागा। कहेउ बहोरि देन बलिभागा।। जेहि बिधि होइ राम कल्यानू। देहु दया करि सो बरदानू।। गावहिं मंगल कोकिलबयनीं। बिधुबदनीं मृगसावकनयनीं।।

Those who first went and announced the news received ornaments and garments in abundance. Thrilled with love, their bodies and minds filled with affection, they all became auspicious vessels of joy. Sumitra's quarters were beautifully adorned, arranged in various ways with jeweled decorations, most lovely. Rama's mother, filled with joy, gave abundant gifts to brahmins, making them rejoice. She worshipped the village deities, gods, and nagas, and said again, "Give me a fortunate son." "In whatever way Rama's welfare may be accomplished, show mercy and grant that blessing." Cuckoos and other birds sang auspicious songs; moon-faced women and doe-eyed maidens rejoiced.

Verse 18 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम राज अभिषेकु सुनि हियँ हरषे नर नारि। लगे सुमंगल सजन सब बिधि अनुकूल बिचारि।।8।।

Hearing of Rama's royal consecration, men and women rejoiced in their hearts; all good people began auspicious celebrations, considering what was favorable in every way.

Verse 19 (चौपाई)

तब नरनाहँ बसिष्ठु बोलाए। रामधाम सिख देन पठाए।। गुर आगमनु सुनत रघुनाथा। द्वार आइ पद नायउ माथा।। सादर अरघ देइ घर आने। सोरह भाँति पूजि सनमाने।। गहे चरन सिय सहित बहोरी। बोले रामु कमल कर जोरी।। सेवक सदन स्वामि आगमनू। मंगल मूल अमंगल दमनू।। तदपि उचित जनु बोलि सप्रीती। पठइअ काज नाथ असि नीती।। प्रभुता तजि प्रभु कीन्ह सनेहू। भयउ पुनीत आजु यहु गेहू।। आयसु होइ सो करौं गोसाई। सेवक लहइ स्वामि सेवकाई।।

Then the king called Vasishtha and sent him to Rama's dwelling to give instruction. Hearing of the guru's arrival, the Lord of the Raghus went to the door and bowed his head at his feet. With reverence he offered arghya and brought him home, honoring and worshiping him in sixteen ways. Then he took his feet, along with Sita, and Rama spoke, joining his lotus hands. "The master's coming to the servant's house is the root of all good fortune and the destroyer of all misfortune. Yet it is fitting, with love, to ask: what task should the servant perform? Such is the master's way. You have laid aside your sovereignty and shown affection as a master; today this house has become holy. Whatever command there may be, that I shall do, O Lord; the servant finds his master's service."

Verse 20 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनि सनेह साने बचन मुनि रघुबरहि प्रसंस। राम कस न तुम्ह कहहु अस हंस बंस अवतंस।।9।।

Hearing the sage's words, full of affection and gentle counsel, praising the Lord of the Raghus, Sita asked: "Why do you not speak of Rama in this way? He is the ornament of the swan-like lineage of the Raghus."