Introduction
Vishvamitra proposes the marriages of Bharata ad Shatrughna with the two daughters of Kushadhvaja, the younger brother of Janaka. This being a welcome offer, Janaka accords his immediate consent. Then Dasharatha proceeds with the initiatory rituals for the bridegrooms and donates cows and riches.
तम् उक्तवंतम् वैदेहम् विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः |
उवाच वचनम् वीरम् वसिष्ठ सहितो नृपम् || १-७२-१
uvaaca vacanam viiram vasiShTha sahito nR^ipam || 1-72-1
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.1
Then the eminent-saint Vishvamitra together with Vashishta said these words to Janaka, the valiant king of Videha, who has just said about his lineage. [1-72-1].
अचिंत्यानि अप्रमेयाणि कुलानि नरपुंगव |
इक्ष्वाकूणाम् विदेहानाम् न एषाम् तुल्यो अस्ति कश्चन || १-७२-२
ikShvaakuuNaam videhaanaam na eShaam tulyo asti kashcana || 1-72-2
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.2
“The Ikshvaku-s and Videha-s are unimaginably admirable and immeasurably distinguished dynasties, oh, Janaka, the best one among all men, there is no single king comparable to one from these dynasties… [1-72-2].
सदृशो धर्म संबन्धः सदृशो रूप संपदा |
राम लक्ष्मणयो राजन् सीता च ऊर्मिलया सह || १-७२-३
raama lakShmaNayo raajan siitaa ca uurmilayaa saha || 1-72-3
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.3
“Oh, king Janaka, these espousals of Seetha with Rama and Urmila with Lakshmana is behovely to each other’s dynastical prestige and even it is befitting to the winsome charms of the brides and bridegrooms, but that being so… [1-72-3].
वक्तव्यम् च नर श्रेष्ठ श्रूयताम् वचनम् मम |
भ्राता यवीयान् धर्मज्ञ एष राजा कुशध्वजः || १-७२-४
bhraataa yaviiyaan dharmaj~na eSha raajaa kushadhvajaH || 1-72-4
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.4
“Oh, grand sire, you may listen to my words of advise… this younger brother of yours, king Kushadhvaja, is at home in every kind of probity… [1-72-4].
अस्य धर्मात्मनो राजन् रूपेण अप्रतिमम् भुवि |
सुता द्वयम् नरश्रेष्ठ पत्नि अर्थम् वरयामहे || १-७२-५
sutaa dvayam narashreShTha patni artham varayaamahe || 1-72-5
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.5
“Oh, king, the pair of daughters of this right-minded Kushadhvaja is nonpareil in comeliness in this world, hence, oh, grand sire, we choose to pair them off with Bharata and Shatrughna… [1-72-5].
भरतस्य कुमारस्य शत्रुघ्नस्य च धीमतः |
वरयेम सुते राजन् तयोः अर्थे महात्मनोः || १-७२-६
varayema sute raajan tayoH arthe mahaatmanoH || 1-72-6
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.6
“Oh, king, for the sake of those two honourable boys, for that young man Bharata and for that smart man Shatrughna, we opt your brother’s daughters… [1-72-6].
पुत्रा दशरथस्य इमे रूप यौवन शालिनः |
लोक पाल समाः सर्वे देव तुल्य पराक्रमाः || १-७२-७
loka paala samaaH sarve deva tulya paraakramaaH || 1-72-7
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.7
“All these four sons of Dasharatha have handsomeness and youthfulness, and they are equal to the four rulers of the world from four quarters, and their valour vies with the valour of God Vishnu… [1-72-7].
उभयोः अपि राजेन्द्र संबन्धेन अनुबध्यताम् |
इक्ष्वाकु कुलम् अव्यग्रम् भवतः पुण्य कर्मणः || १-७२-८
ikShvaaku kulam avyagram bhavataH puNya karmaNaH || 1-72-8
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.8
“Oh, best king, let both theses dynasties of yours, the impeccable dynasty of Ikshvaku-s and the immaculate dynasty of yours as well, be interlocked by these wedlock-s…” Thus Vishvamitra advised Janaka. [1-72-8].
विश्वामित्र वचः श्रुत्वा वसिष्ठस्य मते तदा |
जनकः प्रांजलिः वाक्यम् उवाच मुनिपुंगवौ || १-७२-९
janakaH praaMjaliH vaakyam uvaaca munipuMgavau || 1-72-9
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.9
On hearing the words of Vishvamitra that have the concurrence of Vashishta then Janaka reverently said this to those two eminent-saints. [1-72-9].
कुलम् धन्यम् इदम् मन्ये येषाम् तौ मुनिपुंगवौ |
सदृशम् कुल संबन्धम् यत् आज्ञापयथः स्वयम् || १-७२-१०
sadR^isham kula saMbandham yat aaj~naapayathaH svayam || 1-72-10
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.10
“By which reason you two eminent-saints personally bid fair to this befitting proposal, thereby I opine that my dynasty is highly honoured… [1-72-10].
एवम् भवतु भद्रम् वः कुशध्वज सुते इमे |
पत्न्यौ भजेताम् सहितौ शत्रुघ्न भरतौ उभौ || १-७२-११
patnyau bhajetaam sahitau shatrughna bharatau ubhau || 1-72-11
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.11
“So be it! Safe betides you all! Let the pair of Kushdhvaja’s daughters, namely Maandavi, Shrutakiirti, devout themselves as a pair of wives to the paired brothers, namely Bharata and Shatrughna, respectively… [1-72-11].
एक अह्ना राज पुत्रीणाम् चतसॄणाम् महामुने |
पाणीन् गृह्णन्तु चत्वारो राज पुत्रा महाबलाः || १-७२-१२
paaNiin gR^ihNantu catvaaro raaja putraa mahaabalaaH || 1-72-12
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.12
“Oh, eminent-saint Vishvamitra, let the palms of four princesses be taken in the palms of these four mettlesome princes in marriage, in the light of one day… [1-72-12].
उत्तरे दिवसे ब्रह्मन् फल्गुनीभ्याम् मनीषिणः |
वैवाहिकम् प्रशंसन्ति भगो यत्र प्रजापतिः || १-७२-१३
vaivaahikam prashaMsanti bhago yatra prajaapatiH || 1-72-13
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.13
“Oh, Brahman, the savants acclaim that part of the day as the best for wedding ceremonies when both of the pre-Phalguni and post-Phalguni stars are available, and on such a time where post-Phalguni is ruling, for which Bhaga is the presiding deity for progeny…” So said Janaka to the marriage party. [1-72-13]
There is a lot of commentary from the viewpoint of astrology regarding these stars and days of this marriage. Some have said that uttare divase ‘on best day…’ phalguni= puurva phalguni ‘pre-Phalguni… on the best day under pre-Phalguni star…’ which usually does not happen, but it is also said to be correct by Maheshvara Tiirtha, as the Moon will be in the 12th house at that time, so the marriage is agreeable…’ However the stars for best results of marriages are: rohiNii mR^igashiirShyaNi uttara phalgunii svaati iti vivaahasya nakShatraaNi | bodhaayana suutraaNi.
एवम् उक्त्वा वचः सौंयम् प्रत्युत्थाय कृतांजलिः |
उभौ मुनि वरौ राजा जनको वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् || १-७२-१४
ubhau muni varau raajaa janako vaakyam abraviit || 1-72-14
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.14
On saying those gracious words thus, king Janaka got up from his throne and coming nigh of both of the eminent-saints, Vishvamitra and Vashishta, reverently said this sentence. [1-72-14].
परो धर्मः कृतो मह्यम् शिष्यो अस्मि भवतोः सदा |
इमानि आसन मुख्यानि आस्यताम् मुनिपुंगवौ || १-७२-१५
imaani aasana mukhyaani aasyataam munipuMgavau || 1-72-15
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.15
“You two, oh, eminent-saints, have done an excellent generous act in my respect, thus I will ever remain your proselyte… you may please preside over these thrones, that of mine, my brother’s, and that of Dasharatha… [1-72-15]
The kind deed done by the two sages, Vishvamitra and Vashishta, is fetching right husbands for his daughters, and for his brother’s daughters, without flattening his own flatties. And this sitting on the three thrones is for assuming symbolic rulership on the three kingdoms, Ayodhya, Mithila, and Saamkaasya, in getting the marriages performed without a hitch.
यथा दशरथस्य इयम् तथा अयोध्या पुरी मम |
प्रभुत्वे न अस्ति सन्देहो यथा अर्हम् कर्तुम् अर्हथः || १-७२-१६
prabhutve na asti sandeho yathaa arham kartum arhathaH || 1-72-16
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.16
“As to how this city Mithila appertains to Dasharatha, in the same way city of Ayodhya is mine… and there shall be no hesitancy for you two sages in governance on these three kingdoms, thus it will be apt of you to make the marriages happen as aptly as you can…” So said Janaka to the sages. [1-72-16].
तथा ब्रुवति वैदेहे जनके रघु नंदनः |
राजा दशरथो हृष्टः प्रत्युवाच मही पतिम् || १-७२-१७
raajaa dasharatho hR^iShTaH pratyuvaaca mahii patim || 1-72-17
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.17
The legatee of Raghu-s king Dasharatha is gladdened while the legatee of Videha is talking in such a hobnobbing way, and he replied king Janaka in this way. [1-72-17].
युवाम् असंख्येय गुणौ भ्रातरौ मिथिलेश्वरौ |
ऋषयो राज संघाः च भवद्भ्याम् अभिपूजिताः || १-७२-१८
R^iShayo raaja saMghaaH ca bhavadbhyaam abhipuujitaaH || 1-72-18
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.18
“Oh, kings of Mithila, Janaka and Kushadhvaja, you two brothers have reverenced inestimable sages and coteries of kings, as such inestimable good manners are treasured in both of you… [1-72-18].
स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि भद्रम् ते गमिष्यामः स्वम् आलयम् |
श्राद्ध कर्माणि विधिवत् विधास्य इति च अब्रवीत् || १-७२-१९
shraaddha kar.hmaaNi vidhivat vidhaasya iti ca abraviit || 1-72-19
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.19
“Enjoy that blessedness! Let safe betide you! We now depart to our visitatorial-palace, and we shall customarily carry out the tributary rituals…” Dasharatha said thus. [1-72-19].
तम् आपृष्ट्वा नर पतिम् राजा दशरथः तदा |
मुनीन्द्रौ तौ पुरस्कृत्य जगाम आशु महायशाः || १-७२-२०
muniindrau tau puraskR^itya jagaama aashu mahaayashaaH || 1-72-20
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.20
On seeking leave of absence from the sovereign of people, Janaka, that highly renowned king Dasharatha promptly departed from there, keeping both of the eminent-saints afore, namely Vishvamitra and Vashishta. [1-72-20].
स गत्वा निलयम् राजा श्राद्धम् कृत्वा विधानतः |
प्रभाते काल्यम् उत्थाय चक्रे गो दानम् उत्तमम् || १-७२-२१
prabhaate kaalyam utthaaya cakre go daanam uttamam || 1-72-21
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.21
King Dasharatha on going to his visitatorial-palace has procedurally undertaken the tributary rituals, and on getting up in the next morning, he carried out the initiatory rituals of marriages, in a grand way, in which donation of cows is a part. [1-72-21].
गवाम् शत सहस्रम् च ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नराधिपः |
एक एकशो ददौ राजा पुत्रान् उद्धिश्य धर्मतः || १-७२-२२
eka ekasho dadau raajaa putraan uddhishya dharmataH || 1-72-22
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.22
That lord of people king Dasharatha has righteously donated hundred thousand cows to Brahman-s, in the name of each of his four sons. [1-72-22].
सुवर्ण शृंगयः संपन्नाः स वत्साः कांस्य दोहनाः |
गवाम् शत सहस्राणि चत्वारि पुरुष ऋषभः || १-७२-२३
वित्तम् अन्यत् च सु बहु द्विजेभ्यो रघु नंदनः |
ददौ गो दानम् उद्दिश्य पुत्राणाम् पुत्र वत्सलः || १-७२-२४
gavaam shata sahasraaNi catvaari puruSha R^iShabhaH || 1-72-23
vittam anyat ca su bahu dvijebhyo raghu naMdanaH |
dadau go daanam uddishya putraaNaam putra vatsalaH || 1-72-24
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.23,1.72.24
In that cow donation ceremony intended for his sons, he that best one among men and the one who is affectionate towards his sons, Dasharatha, the legatee of Raghu-s, has donated on behalf of each of his sons, four hundred thousand cows, that are abundant milkers, and that have golden casings on their horns, and that are with their calves, and along with milking jugs made with bell metal, and he even donated very many other kinds of assets to Brahmans. [1-72-23, 24].
स सुतैः कृत गो दानैः वृतः सः नृपतिः तदा |
लोक पालैः इव आभाति वृतः सौंयः प्रजापतिः || १-७२-२५
loka paalaiH iva aabhaati vR^itaH sauMyaH prajaapatiH || 1-72-25
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.72.25
On performing the cow donations and samaavartna, snaataka, the initiatory ceremonies of his sons, as well, he that serene king Dasharatha who is amidst the quartet of his sons, shone forth like serene Brahma, who is quartet-faced, with the quartet of Veda-s, and who is the overlord of mankind, amidst the quartet of presiding deities in the quartet of the world. [1-72-25]
The ‘unnecessarily’ repeated word ‘quartet’ refers to dharma where its manifestation is with four horns, catvaarii shR^ingaa, trayo asya paadaa, dve shiirSe… ‘dharma’s horns is a quartet, three are its feet, two are its heads…’ so on. When read together with 23, 24 verses, the bullish Dasharatha is said to have the quartet of bullhorn like sons, who are being readied to administer dharma in the world.
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