Introduction
King Dasharatha requests Sage Vashishta, the Royal Priest to commence works for the Vedic ritual. Sage Vashishta instructs all the concerned about the discipline to be observed in executing the works. Sage Vashishta also instructs the minister Sumantra to invite various kings of other countries, and those kings will be received with great hospitality. King Dasharatha along with his wives takes ritual vow and enters ritual hall.
पुनः प्राप्ते वसन्ते तु पूर्णः संवत्सरोऽभवत् |
प्रसवार्थम् गतो यष्टुम् हयमेधेन वीर्यवान् || १-१३-१
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.1
On completion of one full year another springtime arrived, and then Dasharatha a determined one to beget progeny by performing Horse Ritual entered the ritual hall. [1-13-1]
The performer of such Vedic rituals has to perform preliminary rituals for a period of one year in order to attain eligibility to perform the final one. Here Dasharatha is said to have completed such preludes as he entering into the Vedic ritual hall in the springtime of the succeeding year to the one referred in last chapter.
अभिवाद्य वसिष्ठम् च न्यायतः प्रतिपूज्य च |
अब्रवीत् प्रश्रितम् वाक्यम् प्रसवार्थम् द्विजोत्तमम् || १-१३-२
abraviit prashritam vaakyam prasavaartham dvijottamam || 1-13-2
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.2
Greeting and even adoring the Sage Vashishta customarily Dasharatha said these very humble words to him. [1-13-2].
यज्ञो मे क्रियताम् ब्रह्मन् यथोक्तम् मुनिपुङ्गव |
यथा न विघ्नाः क्रियन्ते यज्ञांगेषु विधीयताम् || १-१३-३
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.3
“Let my ritual be performed scripturally, oh eminent Brahman, let it be conducted in such a way that no obstacle occurs even in its ancillary functions. [1-13-3].
भवान् स्निग्धः सुहृन् मह्यम् गुरुः च परमो महान् |
वोढव्यो भवता च एव भारो यज्ञस्य च उद्यतः || १-१३-४
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.4
“You being my very reverent royal priest are friendly and kind-hearted to me, and you alone shall shoulder the burden of the commenced ritual in all good faith and credence. [1-13-4].
तथा इति च स राजानम् अब्रवीत् द्विजसत्तमः |
करिष्ये सर्वम् एव एतत् भवता यत् समर्थितम् ||१-१३-५
kariShye sarvam eva etat bhavataa yat samarthitam ||1-13-5
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.5
Then that reverent Brahman Vashishta said to king, “Whatever that is requested or decided by you, I will see that all of them are materialised accordingly. [1-13-5].
ततोऽब्रवीत् द्विजान् वृद्धान् यज्ञ कर्मसु निष्ठितान् |
स्थापत्ये निष्ठिताम् च एव वृद्धान् परम धार्मिकान् || १-१३-६
कर्म अन्तिकान् शिल्पकारान् वर्धकीन् खनकान् अपि |
गणकान् शिल्पिनः च एव तथा एव नट नर्तकान् || १-१३-७
तथा शुचीन् शास्त्र विदः पुरुषान् सु बहु श्रुतान् |
यज्ञ कर्म समीहन्ताम् भवन्तो राज शासनात् || १-१३-८
इष्टका बहु साहस्री शीघ्रम् आनीयताम् इति |
उपकार्याः क्रियन्ताम् च राज्ञो बहु गुणान्विताः || १-१३-९
karma antikaan shilpakaaraan vardhakiin khanakaan api | gaNakaan shilpinaH ca eva tathaa eva naTa nartakaan || 1-13-7
tathaa shuciin shaastra vidaH puruShaan su bahu shrutaan | yaj~na karma samiihantaam bhavanto raaja shaasanaat || 1-13-8
iShTakaa bahu saahasrii shiighram aaniiyataam iti | upakaaryaaH kriyantaam ca raaj~no bahu guNaanvitaaH || 1-13-9
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.6,1.13.7 to1.13.9
Then Sage Vashishta then summoned and spoke to elderly Brahman scholars, and elderly architects who are all proficient and elderly experts in conducting the construction of the ritual hall etc. Then summoned are the construction supervisors, brick-makers, carpenters, earth-diggers, accountants, and sculptors. So also the actors and dancers are summoned. Thus flawless scholars in scriptures and those men who are well read in Veda-s, are called and he addressed them saying, “Performance of the ritual be organised by the order of the king. Bricks in many thousands be brought quickly and royal palaces as temporary guesthouses be built for the kingly guests, with very many facilities included in them. [1-13-6,7,8,9]
A detailed description of the components of Vedic ritual hall is given at the endnote of next chapter, wherein King Dasharatha enters. Vedic ritual cannot be performed in ordinary households or in small temples. A very large place is selected, as per architectural science, and at its centre a homa kunda, an altar of fire will be constructed. This area will not have any roofing so as to let the vapours of oblations of ghee, sandalwood paste and others offered into the fire of altar, get into the atmosphere and thereby to Heavens. Around this altar of fire, huge sheds will be constructed to accommodate thousands of participants and onlookers. Apart from this, mammoth kitchens and dining halls are to be constructed as all of the thousands of participants, who are to be fed as long as ritual is conducted. Some of the many tradesmen are listed in a bird’s eye view as above.
ब्राह्मण आवसथाः चैव कर्तव्याः शतशः शुभाः |
भक्ष्य अन्न पानैः बहुभिः समुपेताः सुनिष्ठिताः ||१-१३-१०
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.10
“Like that, for accommodating Brahmans hundreds of sanctified houses be built, well endowed and well established with very many eatables, foods, and potables. [1-13-10].
तथा पौर जनस्य अपि कर्तव्याः च सुविस्तराः |
आगतानाम् सुदूरात् च पार्थिवानाम् पृथक् पृथक् || १-१३-११
aagataanaam suduuraat cha paarthivaanaam pR^ithak pR^ithak || 1-13-11
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.11
“So also, accommodation is to be given for city dwellers too, in very spacious housing, and severally for the kings arriving from distant places.[1-13-11].
वाजिवारण शलाः च तथा शय्या गृहाणि च |
भटानाम् महदावासम् वैदेशिक निवासिनाम् || १-१३-१२
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.12
“For horses stables, reposing stalls for elephants, like that great billets for soldiers may be built for those foreign-country dwellers arriving in here on their horses and elephants along with their soldiers. [1-13-12].
आवासा बहु भक्ष्या वै सर्व कामैः उपस्थिताः |
तथा पौरजन्स्य अपि जनस्य बहु शोभनम् || १-१३-१३
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.13
“These lodgings are to be arranged with many foods and utilities for the people of this city and for others coming from distant countries, and a very grand food be given in all of them. [1-13-13].
दातव्यम् अन्नम् विधिवत् सत्कृत्य न तु लीलया |
सर्वे वर्णा यथा पूजाम् प्राप्नुवन्ति सुसत्कृताः || १-१३-१४
न च अवज्ञा प्रयोक्तव्या काम क्रोध वशात् अपि |
sarve varNaa yathaa puujaam praapnuvanti susatkR^itaaH || 1-13-14
na ca avaj~naa prayoktavyaa kaama krodha vashaat api |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.14,1.13.15a
“Food is to be given dutifully treating all of them well but not just illusively, and the people of all the castes shall be well honoured as they would get their due respect, and no disrespect be shown, even when overcome by passion or anger at anyone. [1-13-14, 15a].
यज्ञ कर्मसु ये व्यग्राः पुरुषाः शिल्पिनः तथा || १-१३-१५
तेषाम् अपि विशेषेण पूजा कार्या यथा क्रमम् |
ये स्युः संपूजिता सर्वे वसुभिः भोजनेन च || १-१३-१६
teShaam api visheSheNa puujaa kaaryaa yathaa kramam |
ye syuH saMpuujitaa sarve vasubhiH bhojanena ca || 1-13-16
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.15b,1.13.16
“Exceptionally respectable are those men and architects that are preoccupied in the works of the ritual as they deserve, and those men involved in these works shall be well-treated with funds and food. [1-13-15b, 16].
यथा सर्वम् सुविहितम् न किंचित् परिहीयते |
तथा भवन्तः कुर्वन्तु प्रीति युक्तेन चेतसा || १-१३-१७
tathaa bhavantaH kurvantu priiti yuktena cetasaa || 1-13-17
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.17
“Thus, as to how all this be well organised without least negligence, thus you all shall administer in all your cooperation and good spirit.” Thus Sage Vashishta spoke to the organisers. [1-13-17].
ततः सर्वे समागंय वसिष्ठम् इदम् अब्रुवन् |
यथेष्टम् तत् सुविहितम् न किंचित् परिहीयते || १-१३-१८
यथोक्तम् तत् करिष्यामो न किंचित् परिहीयते |
yatheShTam tat suvihitam na kiMcit parihiiyate || 1-13-18
yathoktam tat kariShyaamo na kiMcit parihiiyate |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.18,1.13.19a
Then all of them collectively replied to Sage Vashishta “As desired, all the well ordered works will not be neglected in the least, and they will be done as ordered, and not the least of them will be slighted.” So said the artisans to Sage Vashishta. [1-13-18, 19a].
ततः सुमंत्रम् आहूय वसिष्ठो वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् || १-१३-१९
निमंत्रयस्व नृपतीन् पृथिव्याम् ये च धार्मिकाः |
ब्राह्मणान् क्षत्रियान् वैश्यान् शूद्राम् च एव सहस्रशः || १-१३-२०
समानयस्व सत्कृत्य सर्व देशेषु मानवान् |
nimaMtrayasva nR^ipatiin pR^ithivyaam ye ca dhaarmikaaH |
braahmaNaan kShatriyaan vaishyaan shuudraam ca eva sahasrashaH || 1-13-20
samaanayasva satkR^itya sarva desheShu maanavaan |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.19b,1.13.20,1.13.21a
“Then on calling for Sumantra, Sage Vashishta said these words to him, “Let all those kings of the earth that are righteous be invited, and let all the people from all the kingdoms, say Brahmans, Kshatriya-s, Vyasya-s, Shudra-s be invited in scores duly honouring them.” So said Vashishta to Sumantra. [1-13-19b, 20, 21a].
मिथिलाधिपतिम् शूरम् जनकम् सत्य वादिनम् || १-१३-२१
तम् आनय महाभागम् स्वयम् एव सुसत्कृतम् |
पूर्व संबन्धिनम् ज्ञात्वा ततः पूर्वम् ब्रवीमि ते || १-१३-२२
tam aanaya mahaabhaagam svayam eva susatkR^itam |
puurva saMbandhinam j~naatvaa tataH puurvam braviimi te || 1-13-22
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.21b,1.13.22
“You personally invite Janaka the king of Mithila, a valiant one and an advocate of truth, honouring his well and duly bearing in mind that he is a long-time associate of our King Dasharatha, hence I am telling you in the first instance. [1-13-21b,22].
तथा काशी पतिम् स्निग्धम् सततम् प्रिय वादिनम् |
सद् वृत्तम् देवसंकाशम् स्वयम् एव अनयस्व ह || १-१३-२३
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.23
“Thus that King of Kaashi who is always a friendly, affectionate and a cordial one, indeed he shall be invited by you personally. [1-13-23].
तथा केकय राजानम् वृद्धम् परम धार्मिकम् |
श्वशुरम् राज सिंहस्य सपुत्रम् त्वम् इह आनय || १-१३-२४
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.24
“Likewise, King of Kekaya, an elderly, very virtuous, and also the father-in-law of our Lion-King Dasharatha, you personally invite him along with his sons. [1-13-24].
अङ्गेश्वरम् महेष्वासम् रोमपादम् सु सत्कृतम् |
वयस्यम् राज सिंहस्य सपुत्रम् तम् इह आनय || १-१३-२५
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.25
“Romapada, the lord of Anga kingdom and the user of great bow, let that illustrious one be invited well honoured, for he is the friend of our lion-king Dasharatha. [1-13-25].
तथा कोसल राजानम् भानुमंतम् सुसत्कृतम् |
मगध अधिपतिम् शूरम् सर्व शास्त्र विशारदम् || १-१३-२६
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.26
“Like that King of Kosala namely Bhanumanta, and the King of Magadha, a brave one and a profound one in all scriptural knowledge, let them be honoured well and be invited. [1-13-26].
प्राप्तिज्ञम् परमोदारम् सुसत्कृतम् पुरुषर्षभम् |
राज्ञः शासनम् आदाय चोदयस्व नृपर्षभान् |
प्राचीनान् सिन्धु सौवीरान् सौराष्ठ्रेयाम् च पार्थिवान् || १-१३-२७
praaciinaan sindhu sauviiraan sauraaShThreyaam ca paarthivaan || 1-13-27
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.27
“And Praaptijna, the king of Magadha, the kind-hearted and best one among kings, be well honoured and invited. Further, taking the orders of King Dasharatha and motivated by those orders, the kings of Sindhu, Sauviira and Sauraastra kingdoms may also be invited. [1-13-27].
दाक्षिणात्यान् नरेन्द्राम् च समस्तान् आनयस्व ह |
सन्ति स्निग्धाः च ये च अन्ये राजानः पृथिवी तले || १-१३-२८
तान् आनय यथा क्षिप्रम् स अनुगान् सह बान्धवान् |
एतान् दूतैः महाभागैः आनयस्व नृप आज्ञ्या || १-१३-२९
taan aanaya yathaa kShipram sa anugaan saha baandhavaan |
etaan duutaiH mahaabhaagaiH aanayasva nR^ipa aaj~nyaa || 1-13-29
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.28,1.13.29
“All of the kings of southern kingdoms be invited, and should there be any other friends and other friendly kings on the surface of the earth, they too shall be invited as early as possible with all their followers, relatives through highly illustrious envoys, of course with the orders of our king.” Thus Sage Vashishta said to minister Sumantra. [1-13-28, 29].
वसिष्ठ वाक्यम् तत् श्रुत्वा सुमंत्रः त्वरितः तदा |
व्यादिशत् पुरुषान् तत्र राज्ञाम् आनयने शुभान् || १-१३-३०
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.30
On hearing that word of Vashishta, Sumantra expeditiously ordered devout envoys to invite all those kings to their kingdom. [1-13-30].
स्वयम् एव हि धर्मात्मा प्रयातो मुनि शासनात् |
सुमंत्रः त्वरितो भूत्वा समानेतुम् महामतिः || १-१३-३१
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.31
That virtuous Sumantra became brisk upon sage’s words and personally journeyed to fetch all the rulers on the earth. [1-13-31].
ते च कर्मान्तिकाः सर्वे वसिष्ठाय च महर्षये |
सर्वम् निवेदयन्ति स्म यज्ञे यत् उपकल्पितम् || १-१३-३२
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.32
All those artisans engaged in ritual works have reported Vashishta, the details of all those ritual works that are accomplished. [1-13-32].
ततः प्रीतो द्विज श्रेष्ठः तान् सर्वान् मुनिर् अब्रवीत् |
अवज्ञया न दातव्यम् कस्य चित् लीलया अपि वा || १-१३-३३
अवज्ञया कृतम् हन्यात् दातारम् न अत्र संशयः |
avaj~nayaa kR^itam hanyaat daataaram na atra saMshayaH |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.33,1.13.34a
Then, that satisfied saint and eminent Brahman Vashishta, spoke this way to all of them, “nothing is to be endowed to anyone either with disrespect or deceptively, the deeds done with disrespect will kill the donor and there is no doubt about it.” [1-13-33, 34a].
ततः कैश्चित् अहो रात्रैः उपयाता महीक्षितः || १-१३-३४
बहूनि रत्नानि आदाय राज्ञो दशरथस्य ह |
bahuuni ratnaani aadaaya raaj~no dasharathasya ha |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.34b,1.13.35a
Then in some days and nights many kings have arrived taking precious gems with them as gifts for Dasharatha. [1-13-34b, 35a].
ततो वसिष्ठः सुप्रीतो राजानम् इदम् अब्रवीत् || १-१३-३५
उपयाता नर व्याघ्र राजानः तव शासनात् |
मया अपि सत्कृताः सर्वे यथा अर्हम् राज सत्तम || १-१३-३६
upayaataa nara vyaaghra raajaanaH tava shaasanaat |
mayaa api satkR^itaaH sarve yathaa arham raaja sattama || 1-13-36
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.35b,1.13.36
Then the well pleased Sage Vashishta said this to King Dasharatha “the kings from distant kingdoms have arrived at your behest, oh, tigerly-man, and thse best kings are well honoured by me also as per their status. [1-13-35b, 36].
यज्ञीयम् च कृतम् सर्वम् पुरुषैः सुसमाहितैः |
निर्यातु च भवान् यष्टुम् यज्ञ आयतनम् अन्तिकात् || १-१३-३७
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.37
“All the ritual works are also completed by the well coalescent men, thus you may start towards the ritual place that is nearby, to perform your ritual.” Said Sage Vashishta to King Dasharatha. [1-13-37].
सर्वकामैः उपहृतैः उपेतम् वै समन्ततः |
द्रष्टुम् अर्हसि राजेन्द्र मनसेव विनिर्मितम् || १-१३-३८
draShTum arhasi raajendra manaseva vinirmitam || 1-13-38
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.38
“All the desirable paraphernalia is arranged and made available everywhere, and it is apt of you see ritual hall that is as though built by your mere wish. [1-13-38].
तथा वसिष्ठ वचनात् ऋष्यशृन्गस्य च उभयोः |
दिवसे शुभ नक्षत्रे निर्यातो जगतीपतिः || १-१३-३९
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.39
Thus, on a good day while the ruling star of the day is favourable, King Dasharatha came forth towards the ritual hall according to the advice of both the sages Vashishta and Rishyasringa. [1-13-39]
In undertaking of auspicious works, Hindus watch out for date, day, and the star of the day, called tithi, vaara, nakshatra in accordance with astrological import. In addition to these three are two more yoga and karaNa , which when added together this becomes panchaanga, five-aspects of time, which are essential to verify before conducting any auspicious work.
ततो वसिष्ठ प्रमुखाः सर्व एव द्विजोत्तमाः |
ऋष्यशृन्गम् पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञ कर्म आरभन् तदा || १-१३-४०
R^iShyashR^ingam puraskR^itya yaj~na karma aarabhan tadaa || 1-13-40
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.40
Then Sage Vashishta and other eminent Brahmans keeping the Sage Rishyasringa ahead of them entered the ritual hall, to commence the ritual works thus. [1-13-40].
यज्ञ वाटम् गताः सर्वे यथा शास्त्रम् यथा विधि |
श्रीमान् च सह पत्नीभी राजा दीक्षाम् उपाविशत् || १-१३-४१
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.13.41
When all have entered the ritual hall as per canons and custom, that glorious king Dasharatha along with his wives undertook vow of ritual. [1-13-41].
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