pari-kulkarni/itihasa-sanskrit-en-filtered huggingface dataset:
Sanskrit: स तु तीरं समासाद्य तमसाया मुनिस्तदा। शिष्यमाह स्थितं पार्श्वे दृष्ट्वा तीर्थमकर्दमम्॥
English: And having arrived at the banks of that river, the pious one, observing a holy spot devoid of mud, spoke to his disciple standing by.
Sanskrit: अकर्दममिदं तीर्थे भरद्वाज निशामय। रमणीयं प्रसन्नाम्बु सन्मनुष्यमनो यथा।५।।
English: Saying-O Bharadvāja, behold this holy spot devoid of mud. And it is beautiful, and contains pleasant waters, even like the minds of good men.
Sanskrit: न्यस्यतां कलशस्तात दीयतां वल्कलं मम। इदमेवावगाहिष्ये तमसातीर्थमुत्तमम्॥
English: O child, do you, put down your pitcher, and give me my bark. I will bathe even in this Tamasā, the best of holy spots.
Sanskrit: एवमुक्तो भरद्वाजो वाल्मीकेन महात्मना। प्रायच्छत मुनेस्तस्य वल्कलं नियतो गुरुः॥
English: Thus accosted by the high-souled Vālmīki, Bharadvāja ever intent upon serving his spiritual guide, presented the sage his bark.
Sanskrit: स शिष्याहस्तदादाय वल्कलं नियतेन्द्रियः। विचचार ह पश्यंस्तत् सर्वतो विपुलं वनम्।।।।।
English: That one of subdued senses, having received his bark from his disciple, began to range around, surveying that extensive forest.
Sanskrit: तस्याभ्याशे तु मिथुनं चरन्तमनपायिनम्। ददर्श भगवांस्तत्र क्रौञ्चयोश्चारुनिःस्वनम्॥
English: In the vicinity of the forest, that worshipful one espied a pair of Krauñcas, emitting melodious notes, and ranging around never parting from one another.
Sanskrit: तस्मात् तु मिथुनादेकं पुमांसं पापनिश्चयः। जघान वैरनिलयो निषादस्तस्य पश्यतः॥
English: At this juncture, a wicked-minded fowler, singling out the male, without any cause of hostility, slew him in the very presence of the holy man.
Sanskrit: तं शोणितपरीताङ्ग चेष्टमानं महीतले। भार्या तु निहतं दृष्ट्वा रुराव करुणां गिरम्॥
English: Observing him struggling on the earth, bathed in blood, his female companion began to bewail in piteous accents.
Sanskrit: वियुक्ता पतिना तेन द्विजेन सहचारिणा। ताम्रशीर्षेण मत्तेन पत्रिणा सहितेन वै॥
English: At the prospect of her separation from her copper-crested oviparous husband, engaged in sport with extended plumage.
Sanskrit: तथाविधं द्विजं दृष्ट्वा निषादेन निपातितम्। ऋषेर्धर्मात्मनस्तस्य कारुण्यं समपद्यत॥
English: Finding the bird in that condition thus brought down by the fowler, the pity of that pious and righteous-souled Rși was excited exceedingly.
Sanskrit: ततः करुणवेदित्वादधर्मोऽयमिति द्विजः। निशाम्य रुदती क्रौञ्चीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
English: Then considering it to be an unrighteous deed, with a heart moved with pity, that twice-born one, beholding the weeping Krauñci, spoke these words.
Sanskrit: मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमः शाश्वतीः समाः। यत् क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधीः काममोहितम्॥
English: O fowler, since you have slain one of a pair of Krauñcas, you shall never attain prosperity (respect)!
Sanskrit: तस्येत्थं ब्रुवतश्चिन्ता बभूव हृदि वीक्षतः। शोकार्तेनास्य शकुनेः किमिदं व्याहृतं मया॥
English: Having uttered this, he got worried within himself, What is this that I have said, afflicted with grief for the bird?
Sanskrit: चिन्तयन् स महाप्राज्ञश्चकार मतिमान्मतिम्। शिष्यं चैवाब्रवीद् वाक्यमिदं स मुनिपुङ्गवः॥
English: Resolving thus in his mind, that highly-wise one and best of sages addressed his disciple, saying.
Sanskrit: पादबद्धोऽक्षरसमस्तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितः। शोकार्तस्य प्रवृत्तो मे श्लोको भवतु नान्यथा॥
English: This speech that I have uttered is of equal bound with metre and accents; it has rhythm and is capable of being chanted according to measure to stringed accompaniment. Let it therefore go forth as a sloka!
Sanskrit: शिष्यस्तु तस्य ब्रुवतो मुनेर्वाक्यमनुत्तमम्। प्रतिजग्राह संतुष्टस्तस्य तुष्टोऽभवन्मुनि ॥
English: When the sage had spoken thus, his disciple, well pleased, assented to his excellent speech; and thereat that pious person was gratified.
Sanskrit: सोऽभिषेकं ततः कृत्वा तीर्थे तस्मिन् यथाविधि। तमेव चिन्तयत्रर्थमुपावर्तत वै मुनिः॥
English: Then having duly performed his ablutions at that holy spot, the reverend sage retraced his steps, pondering over the incidents touching the sloka.
Sanskrit: भरद्वाजस्ततः शिष्यो विनीतः श्रुतवान् गुरोः। कलशं पूर्णमादाय पृष्ठतोऽनुजगाम ह॥
English: His disciple also, accomplished in learning, and of meek demeanour, followed Vālmīki, carrying on his back a pitcher filled with water.
Sanskrit: स प्रविश्याश्रमपदं शिष्येण सह धर्मवित्। उपविष्टः कथाश्चान्याश्चकार ध्यानमास्थितः॥
English: Having entered the hermitage along with his disciple, conversant with righteousness engaged in diverse kinds of talk, revolved in his mind the circumstances connected with the verses.
Sanskrit: आजगाम ततो ब्रह्मा लोककर्ता स्वयं प्रभुः। चतुर्मुखो महातेजा द्रष्टुं तं मुनिपुङ्गवम् ॥
English: It came to pass that desirous of seeing the best of sages, there arrived, that lord and creator of all, the effulgent Brahmā, furnished with four countenances.
Sanskrit: वाल्मीरिरथ तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय वाग्यतः। प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतो भूत्वा तस्थौ परमविस्मितः॥
English: Beholding him Vālmīki rose up suddenly and, wondering greatly, humbly and silently stood before him with clasped hands.
Sanskrit: पूजयामास तं देवं पाद्याासनवन्दनैः। प्रणम्य विधिवच्चैनं पृष्ट्वा चैव निरामयम् ॥
English: And duly bending low in reverence, Vālmīki offered that deity water to wash his feet, and other things for reception.
Sanskrit: अथोपविश्य भगवानासने परमार्चिते। वाल्मीकये च ऋषये संदिदेशासनं ततः॥
English: Having sat-down on a highly-honoured seat, that worshipful one enquired after the welfare of that sage Vālmīki knowing no deterioration, and then asked him to be seated.
Sanskrit: ब्रह्मणा समनुज्ञातः सोऽप्युपाविशदासने। उपविष्टे तदा तस्मिन् साक्षाल्लोकपितामहे ॥ तद्गतेनैव मनसा वाल्मीकिानमास्थितः। पापात्मना कृतं कप्टं वैरग्रहणबुद्धिना॥ यत् तादृशं चारुरवं क्रौञ्चं हन्यादकारणात्। शोचन्नेव पुनः क्रौञ्चीमुपश्लोकमिमं जगौ।
English: Having been seated in the presence of the Grand-sire of all, Vālmīki, his mind running upon the self-same subject, became plunged in thought. What a sin has been committed by the wicked-minded one, incited by hostile feeling, that he without cause slew that sweetly-singing Kraunca! And thereupon, again lamenting that female Krauñca, he, in grief of heart, mentally recited those verses.
Sanskrit: पुनरन्तर्गतमना भूत्वा शोकपरायणः। तमुवाच ततो ब्रह्मा प्रहसन् मुनिपुङ्गवम्॥ श्लोक एवास्त्वयं बद्धो नात्र कार्या विचारणा। मच्छन्दादेव ते ब्रह्मन् प्रवृत्तेयं सरस्वती॥
English: Then smiling, Brahmā spoke to the excellent sage,-Those verses of your which you have composed a sloka shall attain celebrity: no doubt need be entertained on this head, It is because I had intended so, that those verses had come out of your lips.
Sanskrit: रामस्य चरितं कृत्स्नं कुरु त्वमृषिसत्तम। धर्मात्मनो भगवतो लोके रामस्य धीमतः॥ वृत्तं कथय धीरस्य यथा ते नारदाच्छुतम्।
English: Do you now, O best of saints, compose the entire history of Rāma. Do you relate to the world the history of the righteous-souled and intelligent Rāma crowned with qualities. And do you, as you have heard it from Närada.
Sanskrit: रहस्यं च प्रकाशं च यद् वृत्तं तस्य धीमतः॥ रामस्य सहसौमित्रे राक्षसानां च सर्वशः। वैदेह्याश्चैव यत् वृत्तं प्रकाशं यदि वा रहः॥ तच्चाप्यविदितं सर्व विदितं ते भविष्यति।
English: Relate all what is known, and all what is unknown to the world, O wise one, concerning Rāma, and Laksmana, and Videha's daughter, and all the Rākşasas. And even what is not known to Nārada, shall be unfolded to you.
Sanskrit: न ते वागनृता काव्ये काचिदत्र भविष्यति॥ कुरु रामकथां पुण्यां श्लोकबद्धां मनोरमाम्।
English: No words of yours in this poem shall contain an untruth sacred. Therefore, now compose into verses. This delightful story of Rama.
Sanskrit: यावत् स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले॥ तावद् रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति।
English: As long as the mountains and the seas exist on earth, the history of Rāmāyaṇa will remain prevalent among men.
Sanskrit: यावद् रामस्य च कथा त्वत्कृता प्रचरियति ॥ तावदूर्ध्वमधश्च त्वन मल्लोकेषु निवत्स्यसि।
English: As long as this story of Rāmāyaṇa shall retain its currency, you shall reside both in this world and in mine.
Sanskrit: इत्युक्त्वा भगवान् ब्रह्मा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत। ततः सशिष्यो भगवान् मुनिर्विस्मयमाययौ ॥
English: Having said this, the Lord Brahmä disappeared there. And thereat the sage and his disciples marvelled greatly.
Sanskrit: तस्य शिष्यास्ततः सर्वे जगुः श्लोकमिमं पुनः। मुहुर्मुहुः प्रीयमाणाः प्राहुश्च भृशविस्मिताः॥
English: His disciples sang those verses again and again; and, momentarily experiencing pleasure, recited it with exceeding wonder.
Sanskrit: समाक्षरैश्चतुर्भिर्यः पादैर्गीतो महर्षिणा। सोऽनुव्याहरणाद् भूयः शोकः श्लोकत्वमागतः॥
English: Those verses, composed of equal accents, and furnished with four parts, have been sung by the great saint, have, in virtue of frequent repetition, been associated with a world of pathos and have attained the eminence of a sloka.
Sanskrit: तस्य बुद्धिरियं जाता महर्षे वितात्मनः। कृत्स्नं रामायणं काव्यमीदृशैः करवाण्यहम्॥
English: Now it is the intention of that illustrious and self-centred sage to compose the entire Rāmāyaṇa in this metre.
Sanskrit: स्तदास्य रामस्य चकार कीर्तिमान्। समाक्षरैः श्लोकशतैर्यशस्विनो यशस्करं काव्यमुदारदर्शनः।॥
English: The great ascetic Vālmīki of gracious appearance and unparalleled renown composed a poetry consisting of hundreds of verses in melodious measure, couching the significance of the history of Rāma.
Sanskrit: तदुपगतसमाससंधियोगं सममधुरोपनतार्थवाक्यबद्धम्। रघुवरचरितं मुनिप्रणीतं दशशिरसश्च वधं निशामयध्वम्॥
English: Listen to the annals of the foremost of Raghu's race, and the destruction of the Tenheaded one composed by the ascetic, with Samāsas, Sandhis, Prakrtis, and Pratayas; and lucid with sweet and equally-accented words.
Sanskrit: श्रुत्वा वस्तु समग्रं तद्धर्मार्थसहितं हितम्। व्यक्तमन्वेषते भूयो यद् वृत्तं तस्य धीमतः॥
English: Having heard the entire prevalent history of the intelligent Rāma, capable of conferring religious merit and the two other cognate objects, as well as emancipation, Vālmīki again sought to get insight into it.
Sanskrit: उपस्पृश्योदकं सम्यमुनिः स्थित्वा कृताञ्जलिः। प्राचीनाग्रेधु दर्भेषु धर्मेणान्वेषते गतिम् ॥
English: And, sitting himself facing the east on a cushion of kuća grass, and sipping water according to the ordinance, he addressed himself to the contemplation of the subject through Yoga.
Sanskrit: रामलक्ष्मणसीताभी राज्ञा दशरथेन च। सभार्येण सराष्ट्रेण यत् प्राप्तं तत्र तत्त्वतः॥ हसितं भाषितं चैव गतिर्यावच्च चेष्टितम्। तत् सर्वं धर्मवीर्येण यथावत् सम्प्रपश्यति॥
English: And by virtue of his Yoga powers, he clearly observed before him Rāma, and Lakşmana, and Sītá, and Dasaratha together with his wives in his kingdom, laughing, and talking, and acting, and bearing themselves as in real life.
Sanskrit: स्त्रीतृतीयेन च तथा यत् प्राप्तं चरता वने। सत्यसंधेन रामेण तत् सर्वं चान्ववैक्षत ॥
English: He also saw all that was endured by Rāma firm in promise, with his wife as the third accompanist roaming in the forest
Sanskrit: ततः पश्यति धर्मात्मा तत् सर्वं योगमास्थितः। पुरा यत् तत्र निर्वृत्तं पाणावामलकं यथा॥
English: And like an embolic myrobalan on his palm, that righteous-souled sage by virtue of his yoga, perceived all that had happened as well as all that would happen in the past.
Sanskrit: तत् सर्वं तत्त्वतो दृष्ट्वा धर्मेण स महामतिः। अभिरामस्य रामस्य तत् सर्वं कर्तुमुद्यतः॥
English: Having truly seen everything by virtue of his contemplation, that magnanimous one set about recording the charming Rāma's history.
Sanskrit: कामार्थगुणसंयुक्तं धर्मार्थगुणविस्तरम्। समुद्रमिव रत्नाढ्यं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्॥ स यथा कथितं पूर्वं नारदेन महात्मना। रघुवंशस्य चरितं चकार भगवान् मुनिः॥
English: And agreeably to what had been related by the . mighty-souled Nārada, that worshipful saint composed the history of Raghu's line, conferring profit and pleasure, and impregnated with qualities fraught with them, and like to the ocean, abounding in riches, and captivating ear and mind.
Sanskrit: जन्म रामस्य सुमहद्वीर्यं सर्वानुकूताम्। लोकस्य प्रियतां शान्ति सौम्यतां सत्यशीलताम्॥
English: Rama's birth, his mighty prowess, and kindness to all, and popularity, and forbearance, and goodness, and truthfulness.
Sanskrit: नाना चित्राः कथाश्चान्या विश्वामित्रसहायने। जानक्याश्च विवाहं च धनुषश्च विभेदनम्॥ रामरामविवादं च गुणान् दाशरथेस्तथा। तथाभिषेकं रामस्य कैकेय्या दुष्टभावताम्॥ विघातं चाभिषेकय रामस्य च विवासनम्। राज्ञः शोकं विलापं च परलोकस्य चाश्रयम् ॥ प्रकृतीनां विषादं च प्रकृतीनां विसर्जनम्। निषादाधिपसंवादं सूतोपावर्तनं तथा॥
English: And the wonderful converse he had with Visvāmitra; wedding of Janaka's daughter; and breaking the bow; the hostilities of Rāma with Rāma (Paraśurāma); and the noble qualities of Dasaratha's son: and Rama's installation; and the enmity of Kaikeyī; and the obstacle in the way of the installation; and the exile of Rāma; and the kings grief, lamentations, and departure for the other regions; and the grief of the subjects, and their dismissal (by Rāma to Ayodhyā); and the tidings of the lord of Nişādas, and the charioteer's return.
Sanskrit: गङ्गायाश्चापि संतारं भरद्वाजस्य दर्शनम्। भरद्वाजाभ्यनुज्ञानाच्चित्रकूटस्य दर्शनम्॥
English: And the swimming of the Gangā and Rāma sinter view with Bharadvāja; and his arrival at Citrakūta in consonance with Bharadvāja's injunction.
Sanskrit: वास्तुकर्मनिवेशं च भरतागमनं तथा। प्रसादनं च रामस्य पितुश्च सलिलक्रियाम् ॥
English: And Rāma's building a mansion there and sojourn; and Bharata's arrival, and his propitiation of Rāma; and Rāma's offering oblations to the manes of his father.
Sanskrit: पादुकााभिषेकं च नन्दिग्रामनिवासनम्। दण्डकारण्यगमनं विराधस्य वधं तथा॥
English: And the installation of the sandals; and Bharata's dwelling at Nandigrāma: and Rāma's removal to Dandaka and killing of Virādha.
Sanskrit: दर्शनं शरभङ्गस्य सुतीक्ष्णेन समागमम्। अनसूयासमाख्यां च अङ्गरागस्य चार्पणम्॥
English: And Rāma's interview with Sarabhanga and meeting with Sutiksna; and Sita's companionship with Anasūyā, and the latter's painting the former.
Sanskrit: दर्शनं चाप्यगस्त्यस्य धनुषो ग्रहणं तथा। शूर्पणख्याश्च संवाद विरूपकरणं तथा॥
English: And Rāma's interview with Agastya, and his obtaining the bow from him; and the dialogue of Śūrpanakha and her disfigurement.
Sanskrit: वधं खरत्रिशिरसोरुत्थानं रावणस्य च। मारीचस्य वधं चैव वैदेह्या हरणं तथा॥
English: And the slaughter of Khara and Trisiras; and the exertions of Rāvana; the killing of Mārīca, and the carrying away of Vaidehī.
Sanskrit: राघवस्य विलापं च गृध्रराजनिबर्हणम्। कबन्धदर्शनं चैव पम्पायाश्चापि दर्शनम्॥
English: Rāghava's lamentations, and the death of the king of vultures; Rāma's encounter with Kabandha, and his view of Pampā.
Sanskrit: शबरीदर्शनं चैव फलमूलाशनं तथा। प्रलापं चैव पम्पाया हनूमद्दर्शनं तथा॥
English: Rāma's interview with Śabarī, and his subsistence there on fruits and roots; Rāma's lamentations at Pampā, and meeting with Hanumān.
Sanskrit: ऋष्यमूकस्य गमनं सुग्रीवेण समागमम्। प्रत्ययोत्पादनं सख्यं वालिसुग्रीवविग्रहम्॥
English: The former's sojourn to the Rşyamūka, and meeting with Sugrīva; Rāma's raising the confidence of Sugrīva and his friendship with the latter; and the encounter between Vāli and Sugriva.
Sanskrit: वालिप्रमथनं चैव सुग्रीवप्रतिपादनम्। ताराविलापं समयं वर्षरात्रनिवासनम्॥ कोपं राघवसिंहस्य बलानामुपसंग्रहम्। दिशः प्रस्थापनं चैव पृथिव्याश्च निवेदनम्॥
English: The destruction of Vâli, and the installation of Sugrīva and Tara's lamentations%3B the understanding between Rāma and Sugrīva as to the time for commencing the march. Rāma's stay at the wet night, and the ire of Rama the lion of Raghu's race; the levying of forces; and the despatch of envoys in deferent directions; and the assignment by Sugrīva of different quarters to the monkeys.
Sanskrit: अङ्गुलीयकदानं च ऋक्षस्य बिलदर्शनम्। प्रायोपवेशनं चैव सम्पातेश्चापि दर्शनम् ॥
English: The making over of his ring by Rāma to Hanuman; Rksa's discovery of the cave. The abstemious abode of the monkeys on the shore of the ocean; Hanuman's interview with Sampāti.
Sanskrit: पर्वतारोहणं चैव सागरस्यापि लङ्घनम्। समुद्रवचनाच्चैव मैनाकस्य च दर्शनम् ॥ राक्षसीतर्जनं चैव च्छायाग्राहस्य दर्शनम्। सिंहिकायाश्च निधनं लङ्कामलयदर्शनम् ॥
English: Hanuman's ascension of the mountain, and his bounding over the main; and his sight of the Maināka at the injunction of Ocean; the roaring of Raksasis; Hanuman's meeting with the Rākşasa Chāyāgrāha. Hanumān's destruction of Simhikāyā; and Hanuman's sight of Lankā.
Sanskrit: रात्रौ लङ्काप्रवेशं च एकस्यापि विचिन्तनम्। आपानभूमिगमनमवरोधस्य दर्शनम् ॥ दर्शनं रावणस्यापि पुष्पकस्य च दर्शनम्। अशोकवनिकायानं सीतायाश्चापि दर्शनम्॥
English: His entrance by night into Lankā; his ascertaining of conduct in times of helplessness; his journey to the Āpāna ground; and his sight of his car Puşpaka; his walk to the Asoka forest, and sight there of Şītā.
Sanskrit: अभिज्ञानप्रदानं च सीतायाश्चापि भाषणम्। राक्षसीतर्जनं चैव त्रिजटास्वप्नदर्शनम्॥
English: His presentation of the ring to Sītā and converse with her; and the roaring of the Rākṣasis; and the dreaming of the dream by Trijatā.
Sanskrit: मणिप्रदानं सीताया वृक्षभङ्ग तथैव च। राक्षसीविद्रवं चैव किंकराणां निबर्हणम् ॥
English: Sīta's handing a gem to Hanumān; and the breaking down of trees; and the fight of the Rakasasis, and the slaughter of the salves.
Sanskrit: ग्रहणं वायुसूनोश्च लङ्कादाहाभिगर्जनम्। प्रतिप्लवनमेवाथ मधूनां हरणं तथा॥
English: The wind-god's son being taken captive; and his terrible roars while burning down Lankā; and his bounding back over the ocean; and the forcible possession of honey.
Sanskrit: राघवाश्वासनं चैव मणिनिर्यातनं तथा। संगमं च समुद्रेण नलसेतोश्च बन्धनम् ॥
English: Hanumān's consoling Rāghava, and handing him the gem; Rāma's interview with ocean; and Nala's constructing the bridge.
Sanskrit: प्रतारं च समुद्रस्य रात्रौ लङ्कावरोधनम्। विभीषणेन संसर्गं वधोपायनिवेदनम्॥
English: The army's crossing of the ocean; and the nightly siege of Lankā; and Rāma, interview with Bibhishana; the communication as to the means of destruction.
Sanskrit: कुम्भकर्णस्य निधनं मेघनादनिबर्हणम्। रावणस्य विनाशं च सीतावाप्तिमरेः पुरे॥
English: And the killing of Kumbhakarna and Meghanāda; and the destruction of Răvaņa, and the recovery of Sītā in the enemy's city.
Sanskrit: विभीषणाभिषेकं च पुष्पकस्य च दर्शनम्। अयोध्यायाश्च गमनं भरद्वाजसमागमम्॥
English: And the coronation of Vibhīşaņa, and the sight of Puspaka; Rama's return towards Ayodhyā, and meeting with Bharadvāja.
Sanskrit: प्रेषणं वायुपुत्रस्य भरतेन समागमम्। रामाभिषेकाभ्युदयं सर्वसैन्यविसर्जनम्। स्वराष्ट्ररञ्जनं चैव वैदेह्याश्च विसर्जनम्॥
English: Despatch of Hanumān; and Rāma's meeting with Bharata; and the installation of Rāma; and the dismissal of all the forces.
Sanskrit: अनागतं च यत् किंचिद् रामस्य वसुधातले। तच्चकारोत्तरे काव्ये वाल्मीकिर्भगवानृषिः॥
English: Rāma's pleasing his subjects and renunciation of Sītā,-alleles besides concerning Rāma on earth, that has not yet taken place-have been dealt with by the worshipful sage in the following poem. earth, that has not yet taken place-have been dealt with by the worshipful sage in the following poem.
Sanskrit: सर्वापूर्वमियं येषामासीत् कृत्स्ना वसुंधरा। प्रजापतिमुपादाय नृपाणां जयशालिनाम्॥ येषां स सगरो नाम सागरो येन खानितः। षष्टिपुत्रसहस्राणि यं यान्तं पर्यवारयन्॥ इक्ष्वाकूणामिदं तेषां राज्ञा वंशे महात्मनाम्। महदुतान्नमाख्यानं रामायणमिति श्रुतम्॥
English: This great story of Rämāyana treats of those victorious kings commencing with Prajāpati, and having Ikşvāku for their founder, who ruled the entire earth as no other kings had done so before them, and in whose line Sagara was born Sagara who dug the ocean, and whom, while out in progress, his sixty-thousand sons followed.
Sanskrit: तदिदं वर्तयिष्यावः सर्वं निखिलमादितः। धर्मकामार्थसहितं श्रोतव्यमनसूयता ॥
English: We shall now chant the entire history of that dynasty from the beginning. Do you, with minds free from ill will, listen to that story conferring merit, profit and pleasure.
Sanskrit: कोशलो नाम मुदितः स्फीतो जनपदो महान्। निविष्टः सरयूतीरे प्रभूतधनधान्यवान् ॥
English: There is on the banks of the Sarayū a great and flourishing country called Kośala abounding in corn and wealth, in which the inhabitants passed their days pleasantly.
Sanskrit: अयोध्या नाम नगरी तत्रासील्लोकविश्रुता। मनुना मानवेन्द्रेण या पुरी निर्मिता स्वयम्॥
English: The capital of that country was Ayodhyā famed among men, which was founded by Manu himself that foremost of men.
Sanskrit: आयता दश च द्वे च योजनानि महापुरी। श्रीमती त्रीणि विस्तीर्णा सुविभक्तमहापथा॥
English: That beautiful and mighty city was twelve Yojanas in length and Three in breadth; and was intersected outside with spacious roads laid out orderly.
Sanskrit: राजमार्गेण महता सुविभक्तेन शोभिता। मुक्तपुष्पावकीर्णेन जलसिक्तेन नित्यशः॥
English: And scattered with blown blossoms, and regularly sprinkled with water; the well-arranged broad high-ways looked beautiful.
Sanskrit: तां तु राजा दशरथो महाराष्ट्रविवर्धनः। पुरीमावासयामास दिवि देवपतिर्यथा॥
English: That one bringing prosperity into great kingdoms, King Dasaratha, lived in that city, like that of the lord of the deities inhabiting the celestial regions.
Sanskrit: कपाटतोरणवतीं सुविभक्तान्तरापणाम्। सर्वयन्त्रायुधवतीमुषितां सर्वशिल्पिभिः॥
English: And the city was furnished with doors and gates, and well-arranged rows of shops. And it contained all kinds of instruments and arms, and was inhabited by all classes of artizans.
Sanskrit: सूतमागधसम्बाधां श्रीमतीमतुलप्रभाम्। उच्चाट्टालध्वजवती शतनीशतसंकुलाम्॥
English: And that graceful and matchlessly brilliant city abounded in eulogists and genealogists. And it was crowned with stately edifices with flags, and guarded by hundreds of Satāghnis. (A weapon commonly described as a stone set round with iron spiles).
Sanskrit: वधूनाटकसंधैश्च संयुक्तां सर्वतः पुरीम्। उद्यानाम्रवणोपेतां महतीं सालमेखलाम्॥
English: And the mighty city contained theatres for females, and gardens, and mango-groves; and was enclosed by a wall of såla trees.
Sanskrit: दुर्गगम्भीरपरिखां दुर्गामन्यैर्दुरासदाम्। वाजिवारणसम्पूर्णा गोभिरुष्टैः खरैस्तथा॥
English: And encircled by a deep moat, the city was not accessible for enemies. And it abounded with elephants and horses, and kine and camels and asses.
Sanskrit: सामन्तराजसंधैश्च बलिकर्मभिरावृताम्। नानादेशनिवासैश्च वणिग्भिरुपशोभिताम्॥
English: It was thronged with neighbouring kings come to pay tribute, and inhabited by merchants from various countries.
Sanskrit: प्रासादै रत्नविकृतैः पर्वतैरिव शोभिताम्। कूटागारैश्च सम्पूर्णामिन्द्रस्येवामरावतीम्॥
English: And adorned with mountain like palaces glittering with gems, and filled with sportingplaces for females, and like to Indra's Amarāvati.
Sanskrit: चित्रामष्टापदाकारां वरनारीगणायुताम्। सर्वरत्नसमाकीर्णा विमानगृहशोभिताम्॥
English: The city was wonderful to behold, gleaming with gold-burnished ornaments, and inhabited by troops of courtezans, and abounding in all kinds of gems, and graced with royal palaces.
Sanskrit: गृहगाढामविच्छिद्रां समभूमौ निवेशिताम्। शालितण्डुलसम्पूर्णामिक्षुकाण्डरसोदकाम्॥
English: And it abounded in paddy and rice, and its water was sweet as the juice of the sugar-cane.
Sanskrit: दुन्दुभीभिर्मृदङ्गैश्च वीणाभिः पणवैस्तथा। नादितां भृशमत्यर्थं पृथिव्यां तामनुत्तमाम्॥
English: And it resounded with the sounds of Dundubhis and Mrdargas and Viņās and Panavas.
Sanskrit: विमानमिव सिद्धानां तपसाधिगतं दिवि। सुनिवेशितवेश्मान्तां नरोत्तमसमावृताम्॥
English: And that foremost spot of all the earth was like an aerial car obtained in heaven by the Siddhas, through force of ascetic austerities, and thronged with the best specimens of humanity.
Sanskrit: ये च बाणैर्न विध्यन्ति विविक्तमपरापरम्। शब्दवेध्यं च विततं लघुहस्ता विशारदाः॥ सिंहव्याघ्रवराहाणां मत्तानां नदतां वने। हन्तारो निशितैः शस्त्रैर्बलाद् बाहुबलैरपि ॥ तादृशानां सहस्रेस्तामभिपूर्णां महारथैः। पुरीमावासयामास राजा दशरथस्तदा॥
English: That city was filled by king Dasaratha with thousands of such Mahārathas light-handed and accomplished in fight, as could by force of arms or sharpened shafts slaughter infuriated lions and tigers and boars roaming in the forest; yet as would not pierce with arrows persons lorn or abandoned or hiding or fugitive. * A warrior coping with ten thousand persons, and protecting both his charioteer and steeds. A warrior fighting ten thousand Maharathas.
Sanskrit: तामग्निमद्भिर्गुणवद्भिरावृतां द्विजोत्तमैर्वेदषडङ्गपारगैः। सहस्रदैः सत्यरतैर्महात्मभि महर्षिकल्पैर्ऋषिभिश्च केवलैः॥
English: It abounded mostly in excellent Brāhmaṇas, lighting the sacrificial fire, and crowned with qualities, and versed in the Vedas and the Vedāngas, and giving away thousands, and ever abiding by truth, and high-souled, and resembling might ascetics.