Sarga 50: Welcomed by Janaka
Janaka Sambhashana
Rama and Lakshmana arrive at Janaka's sacrificial grounds; the king welcomes Vishvamitra, and Vishvamitra recounts the princes' journey and deeds thus far.
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तत: प्रागुत्तरां गत्वा रामस्सौमित्रिणा सह। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञवाटमुपागमत्।।1.50.1।।
Meaning
Then, going toward the north-east together with Saumitri, Rama, placing Vishvamitra before them, approached the sacrificial enclosure.
रामस्तु मुनिशार्दूलमुवाच सहलक्ष्मण:। साध्वी यज्ञसमृद्धिर्हि जनकस्य महात्मन:।।1.50.2।।
Meaning
Rama, together with Lakshmana, said to the tigerly sage: excellent indeed is the abundance of the great-souled Janaka's sacrifice.
बहूनीह सहस्राणि नानादेशनिवासिनाम्। ब्राह्मणानां महाभाग वेदाध्ययनशालिनाम्।।1.50.3।। ऋषिवाटाश्च दृश्यन्ते शकटीशतसङ्कुला:। देशो विधीयतां ब्रह्मन् यत्र वत्स्यामहे वयम्।।1.50.4।।
Meaning
Here are seen many thousands of brahmins from various lands, greatly fortunate one, accomplished in Vedic study, and hermits' encampments crowded with hundreds of carts; let a place be arranged, brahmin, where we may stay.
रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:। निवेशमकरोद्देशे विविक्ते सलिलायुते।।1.50.5।।
Meaning
Hearing Rama's words, the great sage Vishvamitra made camp in a secluded spot supplied with water.
विश्वामित्रमनुप्राप्तं श्रुत्वा स नृपतिस्तदा। शतानन्दं पुरस्कृत्य पुरोहितमनिन्दितम्।।1.50.6।। प्रत्युज्जगाम सहसा विनयेन समन्वित:।
Meaning
Hearing that Vishvamitra had arrived, the king then, placing his blameless priest Shatananda before him, came forth at once, filled with humility.
ऋत्विजोऽपि महात्मानस्त्वर्घ्यमादाय सत्वरम्।।1.50.7।। विश्वामित्राय धर्मेण ददुर्मंन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्।
Meaning
The great-souled ritual priests, too, taking the guest-offering swiftly, duly presented it to Vishvamitra with sacred formulas.
प्रतिगृह्य च तां पूजां जनकस्य महात्मन:।।1.50.8।। पप्रच्छ कुशलं राज्ञो यज्ञस्य च निरामयम्।
Meaning
Having received that honor from the great-souled Janaka, he asked after the king's welfare and the smooth progress of the sacrifice.
स तांश्चापि मुनीन् पृष्ट्वा सोपाध्यायपुरोधस:।।1.50.9।। यथान्यायं ततस्सर्वैस्समागच्छत्प्रहृष्टवत्।
Meaning
Having asked after those sages together with the priest and preceptor, as was proper, he then joined all of them, delighted.
अथ राजा मुनिश्रेष्ठं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत।।1.50.10।। आसने भगवानास्तां सहैभिर्मुनिपुङ्गवै:।
Meaning
Then the king, with joined palms, addressed the foremost of sages: let the lord be seated on this seat, together with these eminent sages.
जनकस्य वचश्श्रुत्वा निषसाद महामुनि:।।1.50.11।। पुरोधा ऋत्विजश्चैव राजा च सह मन्त्रिभि:।
Meaning
Hearing Janaka's words, the great sage took his seat; the priest, the ritual officiants, and the king together with his ministers did likewise.