Sarga 18: The Four Princes Are Born
Kumara Janma
Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna are born to Dasaratha's queens and grow into accomplished, devoted princes; while considering their marriages, the king receives the sage Vishvamitra, who arrives seeking his aid.
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ते चापि मनुजव्याघ्रा वैदिकाध्ययने रता:।।1.18.35।। पितृशुश्रूषणरता धनुर्वेदे च निष्ठिता:।
Meaning
Those tiger-like princes were devoted to Vedic study, delighted in serving their father, and steadfast in the science of archery.
अथ राजा दशरथस्तेषां दारक्रियां प्रति।।1.18.36।। चिन्तयामास धर्मात्मा सोपाध्यायस्सबान्धव:।
Meaning
Then the righteous King Dasaratha, together with his priests and kinsmen, began to consider the marriage of his sons.
तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य मन्त्रिमध्ये महात्मन:।।1.18.37।। अभ्यगच्छन्महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:।
Meaning
While the great-souled king deliberated among his ministers, the mighty sage Vishvamitra arrived.
स राज्ञो दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी द्वाराध्यक्षानुवाच ह।।1.18.38।। शीघ्रमाख्यात मां प्राप्तं कौशिकं गाधिनस्सुतम्।
Meaning
Desiring an audience with the king, he said to the doorkeepers: "Quickly announce that Kaushika, son of Gadhi, has arrived."
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं त्रासाद्राज्ञो वेश्म प्रदुद्रुवु:।।1.18.39।। सम्भ्रान्तमनसस्सर्वे तेन वाक्येन चोदिता:।
Meaning
Hearing these words, the doorkeepers, their minds startled and stirred by his message, ran to the king's chamber.
ते गत्वा राजभवनं विश्वामित्रमृषिं तदा।।1.18.40।। प्राप्तमावेदयामासुर्नृपायैक्ष्वाकवे तदा।
Meaning
Going to the royal hall, they then announced to the Ikshvaku king that the sage Vishvamitra had arrived.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सपुरोधास्समाहित:।।1.18.41।। प्रत्युज्जगाम तं हृष्टो ब्रह्माणमिव वासव:।
Meaning
Hearing their words, the king, together with his priest, went forth joyfully to meet him, as Indra would go to meet Brahma.
तं दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितं दीप्त्या तापसं संशितव्रतम्।।1.18.42।। प्रहृष्टवदनो राजा ततोऽर्घ्यमुपहारयत्।
Meaning
Seeing that ascetic of severe vows blazing with radiance, the king, his face full of joy, then offered him the guest-gift.
स राज्ञ: प्रतिगृह्यार्घ्यं शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा।।1.18.43।। कुशलं चाव्ययं चैव पर्यपृच्छन्नराधिपम्।
Meaning
Having received the offering according to scriptural rite, the sage inquired after the king's welfare and prosperity.
पुरे कोशे जनपदे बान्धवेषु सुहृत्सु च।।1.18.44।। कुशलं कौशिको राज्ञ: पर्यपृच्छत्सुधार्मिक:।
Meaning
The righteous Kaushika asked after the well-being of the king's city, treasury, provinces, kinsmen, and friends.