Bala Kanda — Sarga 70

ततः प्रभाते जनकः कृतकर्मा महर्षिभिः। उवाच वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञः शतानन्दं पुरोहितम्॥

Then next morning Janaka skilled in speech, having in company with the Maharsis performed his daily duties, addressed the priest Satānanda, saying

Bala Kanda 70.1

भ्राता मम महातेजा वीर्यवानतिधार्मिकः। कुशध्वज इति ख्यातः पुरीमध्यवसच्छुभाम्॥ वार्याफलकपर्यन्तां पिबन्निक्षुमती नदीम्। सांकाश्यां पुण्यसंकाशां विमानमिव पुष्पकम्॥

My highly energetic, puissant and eminently righteous brother known by the name of Kusadhvaja dwell in the auspicious city, Sāņkāśyā, whose ramparts are ranged round with pointed weapons, and which is laved by the river Ikşumatī, and which resembles the celestial regions or the aerial car, Pușpaka.

Bala Kanda 70.2

तमहं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि यज्ञगोप्ता स मे मतः। प्रीतिं सोऽपि महातेजा इमां भोक्ता मया सह ॥

I wish to see him, and he is in charge of my sacrifice. And that highly energetic one will partake with me the joy of this occasion.

Bala Kanda 70.3

एवमुक्ते तु वचने शतानन्दस्य संनिधौ। आगताः केचिदव्यग्रा जनकस्तान् समादिशत्॥

This having been said to Satānanda, some competent persons presented themselves; and Janaka commanded them (to set up) for Sāņkāśyā.

Bala Kanda 70.4

शासनात् तु नरेन्द्रस्य प्रययुः शीघ्रवाजिभिः। समानेतुं नरव्याघ्रं विष्णुमिन्द्राज्ञया यथा॥

And commanded by the monarch, off they want, mounting on fleet coursers, with the view of bringing over that tiger among men, like Viş nu at the mandate of Indra.

Bala Kanda 70.5

सांकाश्यां ते समागम्य ददृशुश्च कुशध्वजम्। न्यवेदयन् यथावृत्तं जनकस्य च चिन्तितम्।७।।

And arriving at Sāņkāśyā, they presented themselves before Kušadhvaja, and faithfully delivered to him the intention of Janaka.

Bala Kanda 70.6

तद्वृत्तं नृपतिः श्रुत्वा दूतश्रेष्ठैर्महाजवैः। आज्ञया तु नरेन्द्रस्य आजगाम कुशध्वजः॥

And hearing the tidings conveyed by those foremost of envoys endowed with great fleetness, Kusadhvaja set out at the mandate of the monarch.

Bala Kanda 70.7

स ददर्श महात्मानं जनकं धर्मवत्सलम्। सोऽभिवाद्य शतानन्दं जनकं चातिधार्मिकम्॥ राजाहं परमं दिव्यमासनं सोऽध्यरोहत।

And on coming to Videha, he appeared before the high-souled Janaka addicted to righteousness. And saluting Satānanda as well as the eminently virtuous Janaka, he sat down on an excellent and superb seat worthy of a King.

Bala Kanda 70.8

उपविष्टाबुभौ तौ तु भ्रातरावमितद्युती॥ प्रेषयामासतुर्वीरौ मन्त्रि श्रेष्ठं सुदामनम्। गच्छ मन्त्रिपते शीघ्रमिक्ष्वाकुममितप्रभम्॥ आत्मजैः सह दुर्धर्षमानयस्व समन्त्रिणम्।

Having been seated, both the heroic brothers of immeasurable splendour addressed that foremost of counsellors, Sudáman, saying, 'Go, foremost of counsellors, and speedily bring over the irrepressible Ikşvāku of immeasurable splendour along with his sons and ministers.

Bala Kanda 70.9

औपकार्यां स गत्वा तु रघूणां कुलवर्धनम् ॥ ददर्श शिरसा चैनमभिवाद्येदमब्रवीत्।

Thereupon, repairing to the camp of that enhancer of the race of the Raghus, he saw Dasaratha, and saluting him with beaded head, addressed him.

Bala Kanda 70.10

अयोध्याधिपते वीर वैदेही मिथिलाधिपः॥ स त्वां द्रष्टुं व्यवसितः सोपाध्यायपुरोहितम्।

O heroic lord of Ayodhyā, Vaideha, the master of Mithila, has wished to see you along with your priests.

Bala Kanda 70.11

मन्त्रि श्रेष्ठवचः श्रुत्वा राजा सर्षिगणस्तथा॥ सबन्धुरगमत् तत्र जनको यत्र वर्तते।

Hearing the words of that best of counsellors, the king accompanied by the saints and his adherents, came to Janaka.

Bala Kanda 70.12

राजा च मन्त्रिसहितः सोपाध्यायः सबान्धवः॥ वाक्यं वाक्यविदां श्रेष्ठो वैदेहमिदमब्रवीत्।

And in company with his counsellors with his counsellors and priests and adherents, the king, foremost of those skilled in speech, spoke to Vaideha.

Bala Kanda 70.13

विदितं ते महाराज इक्ष्वाकुकुलदैवतम्॥ वक्ता सर्वेषु कृत्येषु वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः।

O mighty king, you know that the worshipful saint Vasiştha is the spiritual guide of our race; and in every ceremony that we undertake, he it is who serves the function of a spokesman.

Bala Kanda 70.14

विश्वामित्राभ्यनुज्ञातः सह सर्वैर्महर्षिभिः॥ एष वक्ष्यति धर्मात्मा वसिष्ठो में यथाक्रमम्।

And permitted by Viśvāmitra along with all the Maharsis, even this one of a righteous soul will relate my genealogy.

Bala Kanda 70.15

तूष्णीभूते दशरथे वसिष्ठो भगवानृपिः॥ उवाच वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो वैदेहं सपुरोधसम्।

And on Dasaratha resuming silence, the worshipful saint Vasistha, versed in speech, spoke to Vaideha in company with his priests, saying,

Bala Kanda 70.16

अव्यक्तप्रभवो ब्रह्मा शाश्वतो नित्य अव्ययः॥ तस्मान्मरीचिः संजज्ञे मरीचे: कश्यपः सुतः। विवस्वान् कश्यपाज्जज्ञे मनुर्वैवस्वतः स्मृतः॥

The perpetual, everlasting, and undeteriorating Brahmā sprang from the Unmanifest (Brahmā). From him sprang Marīci; and Kasyapa is son to Marīci. And from Kaśyapa sprung Vivasvat; and Manu is son to Vivasvat.

Bala Kanda 70.17

मनुः प्रजापतिः पूर्वमिक्ष्वाकुश्च मनोः सुतः। तमिक्ष्वाकुमयोध्यायां राजानं विद्धि पूर्वकम्॥

This Manu is otherwise called Prajäpati; and Ikşvāku is Manu's son. And this Ikşvāku you must understand, was the first king of Ayodhyā.

Bala Kanda 70.18

इक्ष्वाकोस्तु सुतः श्रीमान् कुक्षिरित्येव विश्रुतः। कुक्षेरथात्मजः श्रीमान् विकुक्षिरुदपद्यत॥

And Ikşvāku's son, it is well known, was the graceful Kuksi. And Kuksi's son was the graceful Vikuksi.

Bala Kanda 70.19

विकुक्षेस्तु महातेजा बाणः पुत्रः प्रतापवान्। बाणस्य तु महातेजा अनरण्यः प्रतापवान् ॥

And Vikuksi's son was the exceedingly energetic and powerful Bāņa. And Bāna's son was the highly energetic and powerful Anaranya.

Bala Kanda 70.20

अनरण्यात् पृथुर्जज्ञे त्रिशङ्कुस्तु पृथोरपि। त्रिशङ्कोरभवत् पुत्रो धुन्धुमारो महायशाः॥

From Anaranya sprang Prithu; and from Prithu, Trisanku. And Trisanku's son was the highly famous Dhundhumāra.

Bala Kanda 70.21

धुन्धुमारान्महातेजा युवनाश्वो महारथः। युवनाश्वसुतश्चासीन्मान्धाता पृथिवीपतिः॥

And from Dhundhumāra sprung the Mahāratha, Yuvanāśva. And from Yuvanāśva sprung Māndhātā, lord of earth.

Bala Kanda 70.22

मान्धातुस्तु सुतः श्रीमान् सुसंधिरुदपद्यत। सुसंधेरपि पुत्रौ द्वौ ध्रुवसंधिः प्रसेनजित्॥

And Māndhātā's son was the graceful Susandhi. And Susandhi's two sons were Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit.

Bala Kanda 70.23

यशस्वी ध्रुवसंधेस्तु भरतो नाम नामतः। भरतात् तु महातेजा असितो नाम जायत॥ यस्यैते प्रतिराजानं उदपद्यन्त शत्रवः। हैहयास्तालजङ्घाश्च शूराश्च शशबिन्दवः॥

And from Dhruvasandhi sprung the famous Bharata. And from Bharata sprung Asita; to fight whom were born as hostile kings, those heroes, the Haihayas, the Talajanghas, and the Sasabindus.

Bala Kanda 70.24

तांश्च स प्रतियुध्यन् वै युद्धे राजा प्रवासितः। हिमवन्तमुपागम्य भार्याभ्यां सहितस्तदा॥

And engaged in conflict with them, that king fled (from his kingdom); and repairing to the Himavat in company with his two consorts, the feeble Asita there paid his debt to nature.

Bala Kanda 70.25

असितोऽल्पबलो राजा कालधर्ममुपेयिवान्। द्वे चास्य भार्ये गर्भिण्यौ बभूवतुरिति श्रुतिः॥ एका गर्भविनाशार्थं सपत्न्यै सगरं ददौ।

The story runs that his two wives were in the family way; and that with the intention of destroying the embryo of the other, one of them administered poison to the former mixed in her food.

Bala Kanda 70.26

ततः शैलवरे रम्ये बभूवाभिरतो मुनिः॥ भार्गवश्च्यवनो नाम हिमवन्तमुपाश्रितः। तत्र चैका महाभागा भार्गवं देववर्चसम्॥ ववन्दे पद्मपत्राक्षी काङ्क्षन्ती सुतमुत्तमम्। तमृषि साभ्युपागम्य कालिन्दी चाभ्यवादयत्॥

And it came to pass that at this time, Bhrgu's son, the ascetic Cyavana, had become addicted to the romantic Himavat, foremost of mountains. And here one of those exalted dames with eyes resembling lotus-petals, saluting Bhrigu's son born shining like a celestial, desired of him an excellent. son. And drawing near to that sage, Kalindi saluted him.

Bala Kanda 70.27

स तामभ्यवदद् विप्रः पुत्रेप्सुं पुत्रजन्मनि । तव कुक्षौ महाभागे सुपुत्रः सुमहाबलः॥ महावीर्यो महातेजा अचिरात् संजनिष्यति। गरेण सहितः श्रीमान् मा शुचः कमलेक्षणे॥

And that Vipra said to her, who was desiring of having a son born of her,-In your womb, O exalted one, will be speedily born an excellent son mixed up with poison, highly powerful, and exceedingly energetic, and possessed of mighty strength, and graceful.

Bala Kanda 70.28

च्यवनं च नमस्कृत्य राजपुत्री पतिव्रता। पत्या विरहिता तस्मात् पुत्रं देवी व्यजायत॥

Therefore, do you not grieve, O you of lotuseyes. And having paid reverence to Cyavana, that chaste and worshipful princess, although bereft of her husband, gave birth to a son.

Bala Kanda 70.29

सपत्न्या तु गरस्तस्यै दत्तो गर्भजिघांसया। सह तेन गरेणैव संजातः सगरोऽभवत्॥

And since intending to destroy her foetus she that was co-wife with her had administered poison to her, Sagara* was born together with the poison. *Gara-poison. Sagara means, with poison, i.e. here, one born with poison.

Bala Kanda 70.30

सगरस्यासमञ्जस्तु असमञ्जादथांशुमान्। दिलीपोंऽशुमतः पुत्रो दिलीपस्य भगीरथः॥

And Sagara's son was Asamanja, and Ansumat. And Dilīpa was son to Ansumat, and Bhagiratha to Dilīpa.

Bala Kanda 70.31

भगीरथात् ककुत्स्थश्च ककुत्स्थाच्च रघुस्तथा। रघोस्तु पुत्रस्तेजस्वी प्रवृद्धः पुरुषादकः॥

And from Bhagiratha sprang Kākutstha, and from Kākutstha, Raghu. And Raghu's son was the puissant Pravşdha, feeding on human flesh.

Bala Kanda 70.32

कल्माषपादोऽप्यभवत् तस्माज्जातस्तु शङ्खणः। सुदर्शनः शङ्खणस्य अग्निवर्णः सुदर्शनात्॥

And he came finally to be known by the name of Kalmāşapāda.* And from him sprung Śarkhana. And Sudarśana was Sankhana's and Agnivarna was Sudaśana's son. He incurred Vasiştha's curse, and was turned into a Rākşasa. He took up water, intending to clear scores with Vasistha; but at the request of his wife, desisted, pouring down the water at his own feet. Hence the name of Kalmāşapāda.

Bala Kanda 70.33

शीघ्रगस्त्वग्निवर्णस्य शीघ्रगस्य मरुः सुतः। मरोः प्रशुश्रुकस्त्वासीदम्बरीषः प्रशुश्रुकात्॥

Śīghraga was Agnivarņa’s, and Maru was Śīghraga's son. And Maru's son was Prasuśruka, and from Praśuśruka sprung Ambarīşa.

Bala Kanda 70.34

अम्बरीषस्य पुत्रोऽभूनहुषश्च महीपतिः। नहुषस्य ययातिस्तु नाभागस्तु ययातिजः॥ नाभागस्य बभूवाज अजाद् दशरथोऽभवत्। अस्माद् दशरथाज्जातौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ॥

Ambarisa's son was Nahusa, lord of earth. And Nahusa's son was Yayāti, was Nābhāga. And Nābhāga's son was Aja, and from Aja sprung Dasaratha. And from this Dasaratha have come the brothers Rāma and Lakşmaņa.

Bala Kanda 70.35

आदिवंशविशुद्धानां राज्ञां परमधर्मिणाम्। इक्ष्वाकुकुलजातानां वीराणां सत्यवादिनाम्॥ रामलक्ष्मणयोरर्थे त्वत्सुते वरये नृप। सदृशाभ्यां नरश्रेष्ठ सदृशे दातुमर्हसि॥

It is in the interests of Rāma and Lakşmaņa belonging to the heroic and truthful and pious sovereigns sprung in the Ikşvāku line, and possessing purity of race even from the time of their founder, that, Oking, we solicit the hands of your daughters. And, O foremost of men, it be-hove you to confer like brides upon like bridegrooms.

Bala Kanda 70.36