Bala Kanda — Sarga 68

जनकेन समादिष्टा दूतास्ते क्लान्तवाहनाः। त्रिरात्रमुषिता मार्गे तेऽयोध्यां प्राविशन्पुरीम्॥

Thus commissioned by Janaka, the envoys, having spent three nights on the way, entered the city of Ayodhyā, with their conveyances afflicted with fatigue.

Bala Kanda 68.1

ते राजवचनाद् गत्वा राजवेश्म प्रवेशिताः। ददृशुर्देवसंकाशं वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम्॥

In accordance with the royal commission, entering the king's residence, they saw the aged king Dasaratha, resembling a celestial.

Bala Kanda 68.2

बद्धाञ्जलिपुटाः सर्वे दूता विगतसाध्वसाः। राजानं प्रश्रितं वाक्यमब्रुवन् मधुराक्षरम्॥ मैथिलो जनको राजा साग्निहोत्रपुरस्कृतः। मुहुर्मुहुर्मधुरया स्नेहसंरक्तया गिरा॥ कुशलं चाव्ययं चैव सोपाध्यायपुरोहितम्। जनकस्त्वां महाराज पृच्छते सपुरःसरम्॥

Freed from apprehension the envoys with clasped hands addressed the monarch in sweetly humble accents, saying, O mighty monarch, Mithilā's lord, king Janaka, in company with this priests, in sweet and affectionate words, repeatedly enquires after the complete welfare of thyself along with your priests and servants.

Bala Kanda 68.3

पृष्ट्वा कुशलमव्यग्रं वैदेही मिथिलाधिपः। कौशिकानुमते वाक्यं भवन्तमिदमब्रवीत्॥

After having enquired after your complete welfare, Mithila's lord, Vaideha, by permission of Kausika, addresses you thus,

Bala Kanda 68.4

पूर्वं प्रतिज्ञा विदिता वीर्यशुल्का ममात्मजा। राजानश्च कृतामर्षा निर्वीर्या विमुखीकृताः॥

You know the vow I had made formerlyviz., to confer my daughter upon him that would bend the bow,-and the kings, in consequence of their having been deprived of prowess, and being baffled, have come to entertain spite against me.

Bala Kanda 68.5

सेयं मम सुता राजन् विश्वामित्रपुरस्कृतैः। यदृच्छयागतै राजन् निर्जिता तव पुत्रकैः॥ तच्च रत्नं धनुर्दिव्यं मध्ये भग्नं महात्मना। रामेण हि महाबाहो महत्यां जनसंसदि॥

And that daughter of mine, O king, has been won by your son, arrived one, that divine, jewelled bow has been snapped in the middle by the high-souled Rāma in the midst of a large assembly.

Bala Kanda 68.6

अस्मै देया मया सीता वीर्यशुल्का महात्मने। प्रतिज्ञां तर्तुमिच्छामि तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥

Upon that high-souled one should I confer Sītā, having prowess assigned for her dower. And in this wise will I free myself from my vow; and this you should permit. 10

Bala Kanda 68.7

सोपाध्यायो महाराज पुरोहितपुरस्कृतः। शीघ्रमागच्छ भद्रं ते द्रष्टुमर्हसि राघवौ॥

O mighty king, do you, good betide you, come speedily headed by your priests. It behove you to see the Rāghavas;

Bala Kanda 68.8

प्रतिज्ञां मम राजेन्द्र निर्वर्तयितुमर्हसि। पुत्रयोरुभयोरेव प्रीतिं त्वमुपलप्स्यसे॥

And, O foremost of kings, to see me delivered from this vow. And do you attain the joy incident to the nuptials of both your sons,

Bala Kanda 68.9

एवं विदेहाधिपतिर्मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्। विश्वामित्राभ्यनुज्ञातः शतानन्दमते स्थितः॥

Thus spoke sweetly the lord of Videha, permitted by Viśvāmitra and staying by the opinions of Satānanda.'

Bala Kanda 68.10

दूतवाक्यं तु तच्छ्रुत्वा राजा परमहर्षितः। वसिष्ठं वामदेवं च मन्त्रिणश्चैवमब्रवीत्॥

Hearing the words of the envoys, the king, exceedingly rejoiced, addressed Vasiştha and Vamadeva, as well as his counsellors, saying,

Bala Kanda 68.11

गुप्तः कुशिकपुत्रेण कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः। लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा विदेहेषु वसत्यसौ॥

Protected by Kusika's son, that exhancer of Kausalyā's joy stay in Videha in company with his brother, Laksmana.15

Bala Kanda 68.12

दृष्टवीर्यस्तु काकुत्स्थो जनकेन महात्मना। सम्प्रदानं सुतायास्तु राघवे कर्तुमिच्छति॥

And the high-souled Janaka has witnessed the prowess of Kākutstha; and he wish to bestow his daughter upon Rāghava.

Bala Kanda 68.13

यदि वो रोचते वृत्तं जनकस्य महात्मनः। पुरीं गच्छामहे शीघ्रं मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः॥

If this alliance with the high-souled Janaka is relished by you, we shall speedily repair to his capital. Let there be no waste of time.

Bala Kanda 68.14

मन्त्रिणो बाढमित्याहुः सह सर्वैर्महर्षिभिः। सुप्रीतश्चाब्रवीद् राजा श्वो यात्रेति च मन्त्रिणः॥

Thereupon, the counsellors along with the Maharsis said, Excellent! And the king highly delighted, said to the counsellors, Our journey commence on the morrow.

Bala Kanda 68.15

त्रिणस्तु नरेन्द्रस्य रात्रिं परमसत्कृताः। ऊषुः प्रमुदिताः सर्वे गुणैः सर्वैः समन्विताः॥

And excellently ministered to, the counsellors of that foremost of monarchs (Janaka), endowed with every excellent quality, spent that night in joy.

Bala Kanda 68.16