The World of Valmiki-21

The World of Valmiki-21

King and Leader (Continued)

कच्चिद्व्यपास्तानहितान् प्रतियातान्श्च सर्वदा ।

दुर्बलाननवज्ञाय वर्तसे रिपुसूदन ॥

कच्चिन्न लोकायतिकान् ब्राह्मणान्स्तात सेवसे ।

अनर्थकुशलाह्येते बालाः पण्डितमानिनः ॥

धर्मशास्त्रेषु मुख्येषु विद्यमानेषु दुर्बुधाः ।

बुद्धिमान्वीक्षिकीं प्राप्य निरर्थं प्रवदन्ति ते ॥

I hope you are vigilant about those who were expelled by you but have since returned and who are weak. I hope you do not interact with atheist Brahmins. Such persons who are immature, who pretend to be learned, who know wrong things wastefully argue using skills of logic while important treatises on dharma are available for reference.

वीरैरध्युषिताम् पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः ।

सत्यनामां दृढद्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम् ॥

ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यैः स्वकर्मनिरतैः सदा ।

जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैः वृतामार्यैः सहस्रशः ॥

प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैः वृताम् वैद्यजनाकुलाम् ।

कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि ॥

कच्चिच्चैत्यशतैर्जुष्टः सुनिविष्टजनाकुलः ।

देवस्थानैः प्रपाभिश्च तटाकैरुपशोभितः ॥

प्रहृष्टनरनारीकः समाजोत्सवशोभितः ।

City of Ayodhya, which is unconquerable true to its name, full of elephants, horses and chariots and which has a strong City-gate has been ruled by our forefathers. Brave people have lived there. Brahmins, kShatriyas and Vaishyas in thousands who are engaged in their own activities and who have won over their senses, who are of full of zeal live there. It abounds in palaces of various shapes. It is full of well-read persons. Do you take good care of such Ayodhya which is expanding and is full of joy? Do men and women of the city which has hundreds of meditation centres, humming with people and whose elegance has been heightened by temples, watering houses and lakes enjoy themselves in social festivities? 

सुकृष्टसीमापशुमान् हिंसाभिः परिवर्जितः ॥

अदेवमातृको रम्यः श्वापदैः परिवर्जितः ।

परित्यक्तो भयैः सर्वैः खनिभिश्चोपशोभितः ॥

विवर्जितो नरैः पापैः मम पूर्वैः सुरक्षितः ।

कच्चिज्जनपदः स्फीतः सुखं वसति राघव ॥

कच्चित्ते दयिताः सर्वे कृषिगोरक्षजीविनः ।

वार्त्तायां संश्रितस्तात लोको हि सुखमेधते ॥

तेषां गुप्तिपरीहारैः कच्चित्ते भरणं कृतम् ।

रक्ष्या हि राज्ञा धर्मेण सर्वे विषयवासिनः ॥

कच्चित्स्त्रियः सान्त्वयसि कच्चित्ताश्च सुरक्षिताः ।

कच्चिन्नश्रद्दधास्यासां कच्चिद्गुह्यं न भाषसे ॥

Does the country side flourish with well cultivated fields abounding in cattle, being devoid of violence, having perennial source of water, devoid of wild beasts, graced by mines and where people live without any fear? Is the country side well protected by our forefathers free from wicked people? Are the farmers who live by agriculture and animal husbandry dear to you? My dear, the state will be prosperous only when they are taken good care of. Are you taking care of them by giving them protection and concessions? A king has to take care of everyone of his citizens lawfully. Do you console women and do they feel protected? I hope you do not take them into confidence and do not speak to them of secrets. 

कच्चिन्नागवनं गुप्तं कच्चित्ते सन्ति धेनुकाः ।

कच्चिन्नगणिकाश्वानां कुञ्जराणां च तृप्यसि ॥

कच्चिद्दर्शयसे नित्यं मनुष्याणां विभूषितम् ।

उत्थायोत्थाय पूर्वाह्ने राजपुत्र महापथे ॥

कच्चिन्न सर्वे कर्मान्ताः प्रत्यक्षास्तेऽविशङ्कया ।

सर्वे वा पुनरुत्सृष्टा मध्यमेवात्र कारणम् ॥

कच्चित्सर्वाणि दुर्गाणि धनधान्यायुधोदकैः ।

यन्त्रैश्च परिपूर्णानि तथा शिल्पिधनुर्धरैः ॥

आयस्ते विपुलः कच्चित् कच्चिदल्पतरो व्ययः ।

अपात्रेषु न ते कच्चित् कोशो गच्छति राघव ॥

Are the elephant-reserves well protected? Do you have milch cows in good number? I hope you are not satisfied with the number of female elephants and horses you own. Do you present yourself to the people in the royal roads daily getting up in the forenoon wearing ornaments? I hope you are not seen by the workers without any fear nor are they denied access to you. A via media is to be followed. Are your forts replete with cash, grains, water, armaments and machinery and are they replete with architects and archers? Is your income large and your expenditure less than that? Scion of Raghu, I hope your wealth does not go to the undeserving.  

देवतार्थे च पित्रर्थे ब्राह्मणाभ्यागतेषु च ।

योधेषु मित्रवर्गेषु कच्चिद्गच्छति ते व्ययः ॥

कच्चिदार्यो विशुद्धात्माऽऽक्षारितश्चोरकर्मणा ।

अपृष्टः शास्त्रकुशलैः न लोभाद्वध्यते शुचिः ॥

गृहीतश्चैव पृष्टश्च काले दृष्टः सकारणः ।

कच्चिन्न मुच्यते चोरो धनलोभान्नरर्षभ ॥

व्यसने कच्चिदाढ्यस्य दुर्गतस्य च राघव ।

अर्थं विरागाः पश्यन्ति तवामात्या बहुश्रुताः ॥

यानि मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतन्त्यस्राणि राघव ।

तानि पुत्रपशून् घ्नन्ति प्रीत्यर्थमनुशासतः ॥

I hope your money is spent on account of worshipping of Gods, pleasing the manes, Brahmins, guests, warriors and friends. I hope a gentleman who is of pure mind and who is accused of stealing is nor punished simply due to avarice without being examined by those well versed in legal matters. O chief of men, I hope a thief who has been questioned in time whose guilt has been established is not let free due to avarice. I hope your learned ministers examine any case dispassionately between a rich person and one who is weak. For, tears of those who are wrongly accused destroy the sons and cattle of a king who rules for his own pleasure.

कच्चिद्वृद्धांश्च बालांश्च वैद्यमुख्यांश्च राघव ।

दानेन मनसा वाचा त्रिभिरेतैर्बुभूषसे ॥

कच्चिद्गुरूंश्च वृद्धांश्च तापसान् देवतातिथीन् ।

चैत्यांश्च सर्वान् सिद्धार्थान् ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यसि ॥

कच्चिदर्थेन वा धर्ममर्थं धर्मेण वा पुनः ।

उभौ वा प्रीतिलोभेन कामेन च न बाधसे ॥

कच्चिदर्थं च धर्मं च कामं च जयतां वर ।

विभज्य काले कालज्ञ सर्वान् वरद सेवसे ॥

कच्चित्ते ब्राह्मणाः शर्म सर्वशास्त्रार्थकोविदाः ।

आशंसन्ते महाप्राज्ञ पौरजानपदैः सह ॥

I hope you honour olden, boys and important physicians by the three means of donation, loving attitude and sweet words. I hope you pay obeisance to elders, old men, sages, Gods, guests, meditation halls of repute and Brahmins. I hope your wealth does not overwhelm your dharma or your dharma overwhelm your wealth. I hope neither of them gets overwhelmed by your avarice or carnal desire. I hope you attend to needs of wealth, dharma and carnal desire at their appropriate times. I hope Brahmins who are well versed in various branches of knowledge wish you well along with citizens and the rural folk.

नास्तिक्यमनृतं क्रोधं प्रमादं दीर्घसूत्रताम् ।

अदर्शनं ज्ञानवतां आलस्यं पञ्चवृत्तिताम् ॥

एकचिन्तनमर्थानां अनर्थज्ञैश्च मन्त्रणम् ।

निश्चितानामनारम्भं मन्त्रस्यापरिरक्षणम् ॥

मङ्गलस्याप्रयोगं च प्रत्युत्थानम् च सर्वशः ।

कच्चित्त्वं वर्जयस्येतान् राजदोषान्श्चतुर्दश ॥

दशपञ्चचतुर्वर्गान् सप्तवर्गं च तत्त्वतः ।

अष्टवर्गं त्रिवर्गं च विद्यास्तिस्रश्च राघव ॥

इन्द्रियाणाम् जयं बुद्ध्वा षाड्गुण्यं दैवमानुषम् ।

कृत्यं विंशतिवर्गं च तथा प्रकृतिमण्डलम् ॥

यात्रादण्डविधानं च द्वियोनी सन्धिविग्रहौ ।

कच्चिदेतान् महाप्राज्ञ यथावदनुमन्यसे ॥

I hope you avoid the following fourteen vices of a king, namely, atheism, untruth, anger, carelessness, procrastination, not appearing before the wise, laziness,  becoming enslaved to the senses, thinking about official matters alone, consulting people who are not in the know of matters of wealth, not starting a project which has been decided upon, not maintaining secrecy of what has been planned, not employing things that convey auspiciousness, and rising from ones seat to receive one and all. I hope you act appropriately in respect of the ten-some ( लोभ-क्रोध-आलस्य-असत्य-प्रमाद-भीरुत्व-अस्थिरत्व-मूढत्व-अनयत्व-अवमन्तृत्व), the five-some causes of enmity ( सापत्नं-वस्तुजं-स्त्रीजं-वाग्जातम्-अपराधजम्) , the four-some (साम-दान-भेद-दण्ड), the seven-some ( स्वामी-अमात्य-राष्ट्र-दुर्ग-कोश-बल-सुहृत्), the eight-some ( कृषि-वाणिज्य-दुर्ग-सेतु-कुञ्जर-बन्धन-खन्याकर-करादान-शून्यनिवेशन) and the three-some (प्रभुशक्ति-मन्त्रशक्ति-उत्साहशक्ति). I hope you take due note of three types of education ( त्रयी-वार्ता-दण्डनीति), the set of six qualities (सन्धि-विग्रह-यान-आसन-द्वैधीभाव-समाश्रय) to be acquired after conquering senses , the man-made and God-ordained calamities, bribing those who could be bribed (कृत्य-> अलब्धवेतनः लुब्धः मानी अवमानितः क्रुद्धः कोपितः अकस्मात्भीतः भीषितः), twenty types of persons with whom one should not negotiate ( बालः वृद्धः दीर्घरोगी ज्ञातिः बहिष्कृतः भीरुकः भीरुजनकः लुब्धः लुब्धजनः विरक्तप्रकृतिः विषयासक्तः अनेकचित्तमन्त्रः देवब्राह्मणनिन्दकः दैवोपहतकः दैवचिन्तकः दुर्भिक्षव्यसनोपेतः बलव्यसनसङ्कुलः अदेशस्थः बहुरिपुः  सत्यधर्मव्यपेतः ) the categories of subjects (अमात्याः राष्ट्रदुर्गाणि कोशो दण्डश्च), the methods of going against an enemy ( विगृह्य सन्धाय तथा सम्भूयाथ प्रसङ्गतः उपेक्ष्य चेति निपुणैः यानं पञ्चविधं स्मृतम्), the techniques of truce and war.

मन्त्रिभिस्त्वं यथोद्दिष्टैः चतुर्भिस्त्रिभिरेव च ।

कच्चित् समस्तैर्व्यस्तैश्च मन्त्रं मन्त्रयसे मिथः ॥

कच्चित्ते सफला वेदाः कच्चित्ते सफला क्रियाः ।

कच्चित्ते सफला दाराः कच्चित्ते सफलं श्रुतम् ॥

कच्चिदेषैव ते बुद्धिः यथोक्ता मम राघव ।

आयुष्या च यशस्या च धर्मकामार्थसंहिता ॥

यां वृत्तिं वर्तते तातो यां च नः प्रपितामहाः ।

तां वृत्तिं वर्तसे कच्चिद्या च सत्पथगा शुभा ॥

कच्चित् स्वादुकृतं भोज्यमेको नाश्नासि राघव ।

कच्चिदाशंसमानेभ्यो मित्रेभ्यः संप्रयच्छसि ॥२/१००/१२-७६॥

I hope you hold consultations with the concerned ministers either in groups of three or four in confidence. I hope your study of Vedas is fruitful and that your actions are fruitful. I hope your wives bear progeny and that your erudition bears fruit. I hope your thoughts are in line with what I have said, which will give you long life, fame and which has the components of dharma, finances and desire. I hope you follow the conduct of our father and forefathers which will lead you in the right path and brings you auspicious things. I hope you do not enjoy any delicious food all alone and that you share it with those who seek it.

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The World of Valmiki-20

The World of Valmiki-20

3.0 Statecraft

Administration

King and Leader

सङ्ग्रामात् पुनरागम्य कुञ्जरेण रथेन वा ।

पौरान् स्वजनवन्नित्यं कुशलं परिपृच्छति ॥

पुत्रेष्वग्निषु दारेषु प्रेष्यशिष्यगणेषु च ।

निखिलेनानुपूर्व्याच्च पिता पुत्रानिवौरसान् ॥

शुश्रूषन्ते च वः शिष्याः कच्चित् कर्मसु दंशिताः ।

इति नः पुरुषव्याघ्रः सदा रामोऽभिभाषते ॥

व्यसनेषु मनुष्याणां भृशं भवति दुःखितः ।

उत्सवेषु च सर्वेषु पितेव परितुष्यति ॥

सत्यवादी महेष्वासो वृद्धसेवी जितेन्द्रियः ।

स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च धर्मं सर्वात्मना श्रितः ॥

सम्यग्योक्ता श्रेयसां च न विगृह्यकथारुचिः ।

उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा ॥२/२/३९-४४॥

(Rama), while returning from a battle riding an elephant or in a chariot, he asks the citizens (he meets on the way)  in detail and from the beginning their welfare about their children, their sacrificial fires, their wives, their errand-runners and their disciples as if they are his kith. He, a tiger among men, asks us often, "Do your disciples serve you well and are they hurt (by bites etc.) while attending to their duties?". He becomes extremely sad when he learns of peoples' difficulties. Like a father he rejoices at all their festivities. He speaks truth, is a fine archer, attends to the old, has control over his senses, smiles before he speaks and follows dharma from his heart. He accomplishes beneficial acts and does not relish heated arguments. Like Brihaspati he is extremely good in repartee.

नास्य क्रोधः प्रसादश्च निरर्थोऽस्ति कदाचन ।

हन्त्येव नियमाद्वध्यान् न वध्ये न च कुप्यति ॥

युनक्त्यर्थैः प्रहृष्टश्च तमसौ यत्र तुष्यति ॥२/२/४७-४८॥

Neither his anger nor his benevolence goes waste any time. He does destroy those who ought to be destroyed and is never angry at a person who does not deserve to be destroyed. If he is pleased with a person he bestows him with riches.

कच्चिद्विनयसंपन्नः कुलपुत्रो बहुश्रुतः ।

अनसूयुरनुद्रष्टा सत्कृतस्ते पुरोहितः ॥

कच्चिदग्निषु ते युक्तो विधिज्ञो मतिमानृजुः ।

हुतं च होष्यमाणम् च काले वेदयते सदा ॥

कच्चिद्देवान् पितॄन मातॄः गुरून् पितृसमानपि ।

वृद्धांश्च तात वैद्यांश्च ब्राह्मणांश्चाभिमन्यसे ॥

इष्वस्त्रवरसंपन्नं अर्थशास्त्रविशारदम् ।

सुधन्वानमुपाध्यायं कच्चित्त्वं तात मन्यसे ॥

कच्चिदात्मसमाः शूराः श्रुतवन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः । 

कुलीनाश्चेङ्गितज्ञाश्च कृतास्ते तात मन्त्रिणः ॥

Do you honour your priest (son of Vasishtha), who is endowed with humility, who is well read, who is not jealous of others and who is skilled in sacred rites? Have you assigned an intelligent and straight forward person who knows all the rites, who knows in time what has been offered to the fire and what is being offered to the fire, to attend to your sacred fires? Do you respect the divine beings, fathers, mothers, teachers who are equivalent to fathers, old men, physicians and Brahmins? Do you respect your teacher who is well versed in archery and who is an expert in matters of finance? Have you engaged people as brave as yourself, well versed in the Vedas, who have a good control over their senses, who have a good heritage and who understand the intentions behind facial expressions as your counselors?

मन्त्रो विजयमूलं हि राज्ञां भवति राघव ।

सुसंवृत्तो मन्त्रधरैरमात्यैः शास्त्रकोविदैः ॥

कच्चिन्निद्रावशं नैषीः कच्चित्काले प्रबुध्यसे ।

कच्चिच्चापररात्रेषु चिन्तयस्यर्थनैपुणम् ॥

काच्चिन्मन्त्रयसे नैकः कच्चिन्न बहुभिः सह ।

कच्चित्ते मन्त्रितो मन्त्रो राष्ट्रं न परिधावति ॥

कच्चिदर्थं विनिश्चित्य लघुमूलं महोदयम् ।

क्षिप्रमारभसे कर्तुं न दीर्घ्यसि राघव ॥

कच्चित्ते सुकृतान्येव कृतरूपाणि वा पुनः ।

विदुस्ते सर्वकार्याणि न कर्तव्यानि पार्थिवाः ॥

O, scion of Raghu, consultations are at the root of victory for kings. Are you surrounded by competent ministers who know how to hold consultations? I hope you do not sleep excessively and you get up well in time. I hope you think about finance matters late in the night. I hope you do not hold consultations with only one person nor with too many persons. I hope your secret consultations do not spread all over the state. After deciding what to do that starts in a small way bur yields big results, I hope you start quickly and do not delay the matter. I hope your vassals come to know of an action only when it is completed or is under completion and not before it is started.

कच्चिन्न तर्कैर्युक्त्या वा ये चाप्यपरिकीर्तिताः ।

त्वया वा तव वामात्यैः बुध्यते तात मन्त्रितम् ॥

कच्चित्सहस्रान् मूर्खाणां एकमिच्छसि पण्डितम् ।

पण्डितो ह्यर्थकृछ्रेषु कुर्यान्निःश्रेयसं महत् ॥

सहस्राण्यपि मूर्खानां यद्युपास्ते महीपतिः ।

अथवाप्ययुतान्येव नास्ति तेषु सहायता ॥

एकोऽप्यमात्यो मेधावी शूरो दक्षो विचक्षणः ।

राजानम् राजपुत्रं वा प्रापयेन्महतीं श्रियम् ॥

कच्चिन्मुख्या महत्स्वेव मध्यमेषु च मध्यमाः ।

जघन्यास्तु जघन्येषु भृत्याः कर्मसु योजिताः ॥

अमात्यानुपधातीतान् पितृपैतामहान् शुचीन् ।

श्रेष्ठान् श्रेष्ठेषु कच्चित्त्वं नियोजयसि कर्मसु ॥

I hope what you or your ministers have planned but has not been announced will not be known to others either through reasoning or through trickery. I hope you prefer one wise person to thousands of fools. In times of financial difficulties, one wise person can bring great glory. If a king has thousands, nay ten thousands of fools, no help is rendered by them. One minister who is intelligent, brave, efficient and capable can bring to the king or to the prince great wealth. I hope you entrust very important works to the best persons, works of medium importance to persons of medium calibre and the least important works to persons of low calibre. I hope you employ the best ministers who have passed tests of loyalty, who are of clean conduct and who are attached to us over generations for the best jobs.   

कच्चिन्नोग्रेण दण्डेन भृशमुद्वेजिताः प्रजाः ।

राष्ट्रे तवानुजानन्ति मन्त्रिणः कैकयीसुत ॥

कच्चित्त्वां नावजानन्ति याजकाः पतितं यथा ।

उग्रप्रतिग्रहीतारं कामयानमिव स्त्रियः ॥

उपायकुशलं वैद्यं भृत्यसन्दूषणे रतम् ।

शूरमैश्वर्यकामं च यो न हन्ति स वध्यते ॥

कच्चिद्धृष्टश्च शूरश्च मतिमान् धृतिमान् शुचिः ।

कुलीनश्चानुरक्तश्च दक्षः सेनापतिः कृतः ॥

बलवन्तश्च कच्चित्ते मुख्या युद्धविशारदाः ।

दृष्टापदाना विक्रान्ताः त्वया सत्कृत्य मानिताः ॥

O son of Kaikeyi, I hope enraged by severity of punishment, citizens do not show disrespect to your ministers in the country. I hope you are not despised for being too harsh in collecting taxes just as those engaged in sacrificial rites despise a fallen person or like women who despise lustful men who employ force. One who does not destroy a person who is well versed in diplomacy, who is clever and engages in finding faults with servants, who is brave and seeks wealth gets destroyed. I hope you have employed a person who is courageous, confident, intelligent, resolute, has integrity, is from a good family, is devoted to you and efficient as the Chief of the army. I hope your chiefs are of proven ability, skilled in warfare, brave and are suitably honoured by you.

कच्चिद्बलस्य भक्तं च वेतनं च यथोचितम् ।

सम्प्राप्तकालं दातव्यं ददासि न विलम्बसे ॥

कालातिक्रमाणाच्चैव भक्तवेतनयोर्भृताः ।

भर्तुः कुप्यन्ति दुष्यन्ति सोऽनर्थः सुमहान् स्मृतः ॥

कच्चित्सर्वेऽनुरक्तास्त्वां कुलपुत्राः प्रधानतः ।

कच्चित्प्राणान्स्तवार्थेषु सन्त्यजन्ति समाहिताः ॥

कच्चिज्जानपदो विद्वान् दक्षिणः प्रतिभानवान् ।

यथोक्तवादी दूतस्ते कृतो भरत पण्डितः ॥

कच्चिदष्टादशेऽन्येषु स्वलक्षे दशपञ्च च ।

त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविज्ञातैः वेत्ति तीर्थानि चारकैः ॥

I hope you pay the soldiers their due share and salary in time and do not delay. If payment is delayed those who serve get enraged and hate you and that can be a great calamity. I hope all the nobles are devoted to you and are willing to lay down their lives for your sake. Bharata, I hope you have employed an intelligent and smart well-read native who is courteous and who correctly conveys the communication as your messenger. I hope you get to know the happenings in respect of 18 posts of your enemies and 15 posts of your side through a pair of three spies unknown to each other. [ According to Govindaraja, the eighteen posts are मन्त्रि (Counsellor), पुरोहित (Chief priest), युवराज (Crown Prince), सेनापति (Chief of the army), दौवारिक (In charge of palace security) , अन्तर्वंशिक (In charge of harem), कारागाराधिकृत (Jail superintendent), अर्थसञ्चयकृत् ( In charge of revenue collection), कार्यनियोजक ( In charge of publicity), प्राड्विवाक ( Prosecutor), सेनानायक ( pay disburser of the army), नगराध्यक्ष (Mayor), कर्मान्तिक (Pay disburser for the Civil departments), सभ्य ( Assembly manager), धर्माध्यक्ष (Civil Judge), दण्डपाल (Magistrate), दुर्गपाल ( Superintendent of hills and forests), राष्ट्रान्तपाल (Border security). The first 3 posts namely that of Counselor, Chief Priest and Crown Prince of ones own side are excluded from surveillance.] 

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The World of Valmiki-19

The World of Valmiki-19

Music

प्रजगुः देवगन्धर्वा वीणाः प्रमुमुचुः स्वरान् ।
स शब्दो द्यां च भूमिं च प्राणिनां श्रवणानि च ।
विवेशोच्चारितः श्लक्ष्णः समो लयगुणान्वितः ॥२/९१/२७॥
Devas and gandharvas sang. Musical notes emanated from Vinas. That sound clearly and rhythmically produced filled the earth, the sky and the ears of living beings.

तासां सङ्क्रीडमानानामेष वादित्रनिस्वनः ।
श्रूयते भूषणोन्मिश्रो गीतशब्दो मनोहरः ॥३/११/२०॥
This pleasant song being heard is from musical instruments mixed with the jingle of jewels, as they (apsaras) make merry.

प्रविशन्नेव सततं शुश्राव मधुरस्वनम् ।
तन्त्रीगीतसमाकीर्णं समतालपदाक्षरम् ॥४/३३/२१॥
At the entrance itself he heard the sonorous sounds of strings and singing which had a steady rhythm and where words and syllables were equally spaced.

चरिते कैशिकाचार्यैः ऐरावतनिषेविते ।५/१/१६५॥
(Hanuman jumped across the sky) which was traversed by masters of music and dance (gandhrvas) and frequented by Airavat elephant.

शुश्राव रुचिरं गीतं त्रिस्थानस्वरभूषितम् ।५/४/१०॥
(Hanuman) heard melodious music embellished by notes of high, medium and low pitch.


Musical instruments

दुन्दुभीभिः मृदङ्गैश्च वीणाभिः पणवैस्तथा ।
नादितां भृशमत्यर्थं पृथिव्यां ताममनुत्तमाम् ॥।१/५/१८॥
(Dasaratha ruled over Ayodhya) which resonated with the sounds of dundubhis, mrudangas, vinas and panavas. ( Vina is a stringed instrument and others are different types of drums.)

अन्या कक्षगतेनैव मड्डुकेनासितेक्षणा ।
प्रसुप्ता भामिनी भाति बालपुत्रेव वत्सला ॥
पटहं चारुसर्वाङ्गी न्यस्य शेते शुभस्तनी ।
चिरस्य रमणं लब्ध्वा परिष्वज्येव भामिनी ॥
काचिद्वंशं परिष्वज्य सुप्ता कमललोचना ।
रहः प्रियतमं गृह्य सकामेव च कामिनी ॥
विपञ्चीं परिगृह्यान्या नियता नृत्यशालिनी ।
निद्रावशमनुप्राप्ता सहकान्तेव भामिनी ॥
अन्या कनकसङ्काशैः मृदुपीनैर्मनोरमैः ।
मृदङ्गं परिपीड्याङ्गैः प्रसुप्ता मत्तलोचना ।
भुजपार्श्वान्तरस्थेन कक्षगेन कृशोदरी ।
पणवेन सहानिन्द्या सुप्ता मदकृतश्रमा ।।
डिंडिमं परिगृह्यान्या तथैवासक्तडिंडिमा ।
प्रसुप्ता तरुणं वत्समुपगुह्येव भामिनी ॥
काचिदाडंबरं नारी भुजसंयोगपीडितम् ।
कृत्वा कमलपत्राक्षी प्रसुप्ता मदमोहिता ॥५/१०/३८-४५॥
(Among the women in the harem of Ravana) one of dark eyes sleeps with a madduka by her side; another of fine limbs and auspicious breasts sleeps keeping a pataha (by her side); another given to dancing sleeps holding a vipanchi; another whose eyes showed drunkenness slept holding a mrudanga by her limbs; another faultless woman slept along with panava tired due to inebriation; another clinging to a dindima slept with it; another slept slept holding an adamabara in her arms; Another woman slept holding a   

Sculpture

महीकृता पर्वतराजि पूर्णा शैलाः कृताः वृक्षवितानपूर्णाः।
वृक्षाः कृताः पुष्पवितानपूर्णाः पुष्पं कृतं केसरपत्रपूर्णम् ॥
कृतानि वेश्मानि च पाण्डुराणि तथा सुपुष्पाण्यपि पुष्कराणि ।
पुनश्च पद्मानि सकेसराणि धन्यानि चित्राणि तथा वनानि ॥
पुष्पाह्वयं नाम विराजमानम् रत्नप्रभाभिश्च विवर्धमानम् ।
वेश्मोत्तमानामपि चोच्चमानम् महाकपिस्तत्र महाविमानम् ॥
कृताश्च वैडूर्यमया विहङ्गा रूप्यप्रवालैश्च तथा विहङ्गाः ।
चित्राश्च नाना वसुभिर्भुजङ्गा जात्यानुरूपास्तुरगा शुभाङ्गाः ॥
प्रवालजांबूनदपुष्पपक्षाःसलीलमावर्जितजिह्मपक्षाः ।
कामस्य साक्षादिव भान्ति पक्षाःकृता विहङ्गाः सुमुखाः सुपक्षाः ॥
नियुज्यमानास्तु गजाः सुहस्ताःसकेसराश्चोत्पलपत्रहस्ताः ।
बभूव देवी च कृता सुहस्ता लक्ष्मीस्तथा पद्मिनि पद्महस्ता ॥५/७/९-१४॥
(Hanuman describes the picture carved on the Pushpaka vimana.)
The earth was shown to have mountain ranges; mountains were shown to have an assemblage of trees; trees were shown to have an assemblage of flowers; flowers were shown to have stamens and leaves. Houses were shown of white colour; lakes were full of flowers(lotus); and the lotuses had stamens. The great monkey saw the great aircraft named Pushpa sparkling with the lustre of gems which was taller than the tallest of mansions. In that, birds were made of cat's eye, silver and corals; serpents made of various jewels; pedigree horses of fine limbs were carved; Birds of fine beaks and wings were fashioned with wings of coral and gold; the wings were bent back and looked like those of manmatha. Elephants with fine trunks were shown to be holding lotuses in their trunks; There was carved a figure of Lakshmi in a lake with fine hands and holding a lotus in her hand.


Miscellaneous
Domesticating elephants
श्रूयन्ते हस्तिभिः गीता श्लोकाः पद्मवने पुरा ।
पाशहस्तान् नरान् दृष्ट्वा शृणुष्व वदतो मम ॥
नाग्निर्नान्यानि शस्त्राणि न नः पाशा भयावहाः ।
घोराः स्वार्थप्रयुक्ताश्च ज्ञातयो नो भयावहाः ॥
उपायमेते वक्ष्यन्ति ग्रहणे नात्र संशयः ।६/१६/६-८॥
Lang back in in Padma forest elephants were heard to utter the following verses when they saw men holding ropes to catch them,
 " Not fire not weapons not ropes
 Ensnare us as our own selfish kin
Who tell them how to catch us."

Scare-crow
नालं युद्धाय वै रक्षो महतीयं बिभीषिका ।६/६६/६॥
This Rakshasa is not for fighting he is a big scare-crow.

Bouncing ball
जगाम खं कन्दुकवज्जवेन पुनश्च रामेण समाजगाम ।६/६७/३८॥
He went up the sky with speed and came back like a ball.

World-map on a carpet(?)
महत्या कुथयास्तीर्णां पृथिवीलक्षणाङ्कया ।५/९/२५॥
(Hall) covered with a large carpet bearing the markings of the world.

Grinding-mill
दन्तान् विदशतस्तस्य श्रूयते दशनस्वनः ।
यन्त्रस्यावेष्टमानस्य महतो दानवैरिव ॥६/९३/२४॥
As he ground his teeth it sounded like a heavy (grinding) machine being turned by Rakshasas.

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The World of Valmiki-18

The World of Valmiki-18

Astronomy and astrology

ततश्च द्वादशे मासे चैत्रे नावमिके तिथौ ।
नक्षत्रेऽदितिदैवत्ये स्वोच्चसंस्थेषु पञ्चसु ॥
ग्रहेषु कर्कटे लग्ने वाक्पताविन्दुना सह ।
प्रोद्यमाने जगन्नाथं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम् ॥
कौसल्याऽजनयद्रामं दिव्यलक्षणसंयुतम् ॥१/१८/८-१०॥
Then in the twelfth month, in Chaitra month, on the ninth day (navami tithi), when the star was aditi (Punarvasu), when all the five planets were in ascendance, in Karkata lagna, when planet Guru(Jupiter) was rising in conjunction with moon, Kausalya gave birth to Rama, the Lord of the Universe respected by the whole world, who had all the signs of divinity.

पुष्ये जातश्च भरतः मीनलग्ने प्रसन्नधीः ।
सार्पे जातौ तु सौमित्री कुलीरेऽभ्युदिते रवौ ॥१/१८/१५॥
Bharata of composed mind was born in star Pushya and Meena lagna, The twins of Sumitra were born when Sun was in Karka lagna, and star was Aslesha.

सृजन् दक्षिणमार्गस्थान् सप्तर्षीनपरान् पुनः ।
नक्षत्रवंशमपरमसृजत् क्रोधमूर्च्छितः  ॥१/६०/२१॥
Seething with anger (Viswamitra) created another set of seven stars (a new saptarshi constellation) in the Southern hemisphere.

मघा ह्यद्य महाबाहो तृतीयदिवसे प्रभो ।
फल्गुन्यामुत्तरे राजन् तस्मिन् वैवाहिकं कुरु ॥१/७१/२४॥
Oh, king of great valour! Today is Magha star. On the third day from now in the star Utaraphalguni perform the marriage.

तं चन्द्रमिव पुष्येण युक्तं धर्मभृतां वरम् ।
यौवराज्ये नियुक्तास्मि प्रातः पुरुषपुङ्गवम् ॥२/२/१२॥
I am to instal Rama, the great among men and the foremost among holders of Dharma and resplendent like the moon in association with Pushya star, as the prince-regent in the morning.

चैत्रः श्रीमानयं मासः पुण्यः पुष्पितकाननः ।२/३/४॥
This is the auspicious month of Chaitra with forests in bloom.

तेन विभ्राजिता तत्र सा सभापि व्यरोचत ।
विमलग्रहनक्षत्रा शारदीद्यौरिवेन्दुना ॥२/३/३७॥
The assembly brightened by the arrival of Rama shone like autumnal (Sharad Ritu) night with clear stars and planets in the presence of the moon.

त्वया यतः प्रजाश्चेमाः स्वगुणैरनुरञ्जिताः ।
तस्मात् त्वं पुष्ययोगेन यौवराज्यमवाप्नुहि ।।२/३/४१॥
As these subjects are attracted by your qualities, you accept the position of Prince-regent when the star is Pushya.

अवष्टब्धं च मे राम नक्षत्रं दारुणग्रहैः ।
आवेदयन्ति दैवज्ञाः सूर्याङ्गारकराहुभिः ॥२/४/१८॥
Rama! The astrologers say that my star is under the influence of the sun, Mars and Rahu, the planets that forebode evil.

अद्य चन्द्रोऽभ्युपगमत् पुष्यात् पूर्वं पुनर्वसुम् ।
श्वः पुष्ययोगं नियतं वक्ष्यन्ते दैवचिन्तकाः ॥२/४/२१॥
Today Moon has entered Punarvasu star, which precedes Pushya star. Astrologers say that to-morrow it will be Pushya star.

उदिते विमले सूर्ये पुष्येचाभ्यागतेऽहनि ।
लग्ने कर्कटके प्राप्ते जन्म रामस्य च स्थिते ॥
अभिषेकाय रामस्य द्विजेन्द्रैरुपकल्पितम् ।२/१५/३-४॥
When the clear sun rose and the day of Pushya star came, when there was Karkataka lagna in which Rama was born, arrangements for Rama's coronation were made by the great Brahmins.

अद्य बार्हस्पतः श्रीमान् युक्तः पुष्यो नु राघव ।२/२६/९॥
O Scion of Raghu, today indeed is Pushya star whose deity is Brihaspati and is suited for (coronation).

त्रिशङ्कुर्लोहिताङ्गश्च बृहस्पतिबुधावपि ।
दारुणाः सोममभ्येत्य ग्रहाः सर्वे व्यवस्थिताः ॥
नक्षत्राणि गतार्चींशि ग्रहाश्च गतचेतसः ।
विशाखाश्च सधूमश्च नभसि प्रचकाशिरे ॥२/४१/११-१२॥
Terrible planets Trishanku, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury were in association with Moon. The stars have lost their lustre and the planets look lifeless. The Vishakha stars are smoky. [Trishanku is not a planet. One commentator suggests that planet Shani (Saturn) is meant.]

मैत्रे मुहूर्ते प्रययौ प्रयागवनमुत्तमम् ।२/८९/२१॥
(Bharata) started for Prayaga forest in Maitra Muhurta. (As per commentators, Maitra is the third Muhurta. A day consists of 15 Muhurtas.)

ग्रहेणाभ्युदितेनैकां रोहिणीमिव पीडिताम् ।२/११४/३१॥??
Like the lonely Rohini star tormented by a rising Planet

सेवमाने दृढं सूर्ये दिशमन्तकसेविताम् ।
विहीनतिलकेव स्त्री नोत्तरा दिक् प्रकाशते ॥३/१६/८॥
While the Sun stays in the South, North looks dull like a woman without a tilak.

निवृत्ताकाशशयना पुष्यनीता हिमारुणाः
शीतवृद्धतरायामाः त्रियामा यान्ति साम्प्रतम्॥३/१६/१२॥
The nights, which discourage sleeping in the open, which are marked by  the presence of Pushya star have gone colder and longer.

इत्युक्त्वा मृगशावाक्षीमलातसदृशेक्षणा ।
अभ्यगच्छत् सुसंक्रुद्धा महोल्का रोहिणीमिव ।३/१८/१७॥
(Surpanakha) whose eyes were like embers attacked doe-eyed (Sita) like a big meteor attacking Rohini star.

माला ग्रहाणामिव चन्द्रसूर्यौ ।३/२३/३४॥
Like Sun and moon besieged by a series of planets.
 

स ताराग्रहनक्षत्रं नभश्चाप्यवसादयेत् ।३/३१/२४॥
He (Rama) can destroy the sky along with stars, planets and zodiacal stars.

रक्षसां भीमकर्माणां सहस्राणि चतुर्दश ।
निहतानि शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः तेनैकेन पदातिना ।
अर्धाधिकमुहूर्तेन खरश्च सहदूषणः ।३/३४/१०॥
Within a period of one and a half Muhurtas fourteen thousand Rakshasas of fierce accomplishment along with Khara and Dushana were killed by Rama single handed while standing on the ground.

तामपश्यत् ततो बालां राजपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम् ।
रोहिणीं शशिना हीनां ग्रहवत् भृशदारुणः ॥३/४६/६॥
(Ravana) saw (Sita) the young princess of great fame in the manner of a cruel planet looking at Rohini star without the moon.

अभ्यवर्तत वैदेहीं चित्रामिव शनैश्चरः ।३/४६/१०॥
He approached Sita like Saturn would the Chitra star.

जग्राह रावणः सीतां बुधः खे रोहिणीमिव ।३/४९/१६॥
Ravana held Sita like Saturn would the Rohini star in the sky.

विन्दो नाम मुहूर्तोऽसौ न च काकुत्स्थ सोऽबुधत् ।३/६८/१३॥
Rama, that moment was in Vinda Muhurta and he did not know that.

ततस्सुतुमुलं घोरं वालिसुग्रीवयोरभूत् ।
गगने ग्रहयोर्घोरं बुधाङ्गारकयोरिव ॥४/१२/१७॥
Then Vali and Sugriva fought a terrible battle in the manner Mercury and Mars would in the skies.


पतन्ति च खगा भूमौ क्षीणपुण्या इव ग्रहाः ।४/१४/२१॥
Birds fall down to the ground like planets which have lost their merit.

इन्द्रध्वज इवोद्धूतः पौर्णमास्यां महीतले ।
आश्वयुक्समये मासि गतश्रीको विचेतनः ॥४/१६/३७॥
On the full moon day of Ashvayuj month he breathed his last on the ground like the blown-away flag of Indra.

पूर्वोयं वार्षिको  मासः श्रावणः सलिलागमः ।४/२६/१४॥
This is the first month of Sravana, when rains come.

मासि प्रौष्ठपदे ब्रह्म ब्राह्मणानां विवक्षताम् ।
अयमध्यायसमयः सामगानामुपस्थितः ॥४/२८/५४॥
Now in this month of Bhadrapada has come the time for Brahmins intent on the study of Brahma and who know Samaveda to take up their studies.

आषाढीमभ्युपगतो भरतः कोसलाधिपः ।४/२८/५५॥
Bharata has now undertaken the vows of Ashadha. (Chaturmasya vows).

अभिजिदभिमुखां दिशं ययुः
जनकसुतापरिमार्गणोन्मुखाः ।४/६३/१५॥
(The monkeys) intent on locating Sita proceeded in the direction of the constellation of Abhijit. (South)

भविष्यति हि मे पन्थाः स्वातेः पन्था इवाम्बरे ।४/६७/२०॥
My path will be like the path of Swati ( Zodiacal path or ecliptic)

व्यरोचत महाप्राज्ञः परिवेषीव भास्करः ।५/१/६२॥
The wise (Hanuman)   looked like the Sun with a halo.

खे यथा निपतन्त्युल्काः उत्तारान्ताद्विनिस्सृताः ।५/१/६५॥
(He) looked like the meteors falling in the Northern skies.

ग्रहनक्षत्रचन्द्रार्कतारागणविभूषिते ।५/१/१७७॥
( Hanuman flew in the skies) decorated by Planets, Zodiacal constellations, Moon, Sun and stars.

ग्रस्यमानं यथा चन्द्रं पूर्णे पर्वणि राहुणा ।४/१/१९६॥
(Charanas saw Hanuman falling into the mouth of Simhika) like the moon being swallowed by Rahu on the Full moon.

ग्रहेणाङ्गारकेणेव पीडितामिव रोहिणीम् ।५/१७/२४॥
-- like Rohini star being bothered by planet Mars.

सग्रहामिव रोहिणीम् ।५/१९/९॥
Like Rohini star with a planet.

धूप्यमानां ग्रहेणेव रोहिणीं धूमकेतुना ।५/१९/९॥
Like Rohini star made hazy by a comet.

स चन्द्रकुमुदं रम्यं सार्ककारण्डवं शुभम् ।
तिष्यश्रवणकादंबमभ्रशैवलशाद्वलम् ॥
पुनर्वसुमहामीनं लोहिताङ्गमहाग्रहम् ।
ऐरावतमहाद्वीपं स्वातीहंसविलासितम् ॥
वातसंघातजालोर्मिचन्द्रांशुशिशिरांबुमत् ।
हनुमानपरिश्रान्तः पुप्लुवे गगनार्णवम् ॥५/५७/२-४॥
That Hanuman jumped over the sky without getting tired. The sky looked like an ocean where the moon was a white lotus, the sun was a kaaranda bird, Pushya and Sravana constellations were swans, clouds were the weeds, Punarvasu star was a large fish, planet Mars was a large crocodile, Airavata (constellation) was a large island, the winds were the waves and the moon's rays were the cold spray of water.

उत्तराफल्गुनीह्यद्य श्वस्तु हस्तेन योक्ष्यते ।६/४/५॥
Today is Uttaraphalguni. Tomorrow will be Hasta.

उशनाश्च प्रसन्नार्चिरनु त्वां भार्गवो गतः ।
ब्रह्मराशिर्विशुद्धश्च शुद्धाश्च परमर्षयः ।
अर्चिष्मन्तः प्रकाशन्ते ध्रुवं सर्वे प्रदक्षिणम् ॥
त्रिशङ्कुर्विमलो भाति राजर्षिः सपुरोहितः ।
पितामहवरोऽस्माकमिक्ष्वाकूणां महात्मनाम् ॥
विमले च प्रकाशेते विशाखे निरुपद्रवे ।
नक्षत्रवरमस्माकमिक्ष्वाकूणां महात्मनाम् ॥
नैरृतं नैरृतानां च नक्षत्रमभिपीड्यते ।
मूलो मूलवता स्पृष्टो धूप्यते धूमकेतुना ॥६/४/४८-५३॥
The planet Venus is pleasant looking and is behind you (North). The pole star and the saptarshi constellation are looking bright and clear moving clockwise (around the pole star). Trishanku, sage among kings is shining brightly along with his priest (another star). and Vishakha stars which are associated with our great Ikshvaku family are shining brightly unhindered. The star Mula associated with Rakshasas looks hazy being touched by a Comet.

स नलेन कृतः सेतुः सागरे मकरालये ।
शुशुभे सुभगः श्रीमान् स्वातीपथ इवाम्बरे ।६/२२/७४॥
The bridge constructed by Nala on the ocean looked like the ecliptic (zodiacal path) in the sky.

आदित्यमण्डले नीलं लक्ष्म लक्ष्मण दृश्यते ।६/४१/१९ ॥
Lakshmana, a dark mark is seen in the orb of the Sun. (Sun-spot?)

सूर्यो यथा राहुमुखाद्विमुक्तः ।६/६७/१७५॥
Like the Sun liberated from the mouth of Rahu.

विशाखयोर्मध्यगतो पूर्णचन्द्र इवाबभौ ।६/७६/१५॥
He looked like the full moon in between the two Vishakha stars.

अभ्यधावत संक्रुद्धो खे ग्रहो रोहिणीमिव ।६/९२/४५॥
He attacked angrily like a planet would the star Rohini.

अभ्युत्थाय त्वमद्यैव कृष्णपक्षचतुर्दशी ।
कृत्वा निर्याह्यमावास्यां विजयाय बलैर्वृतः ॥६/९२/६६॥
Today is fourteenth day (chaturdashi) in dark fortnight(krishna paksha). Tomorrow itself being Amavasya (new moon) you proceed to gain victory.

रामचन्द्रमसं दृष्ट्वा ग्रस्तं रावणराहुणा ।
प्राजापत्यं च नक्षत्रं रोहिणीं शशिनः प्रियाम् ॥
समाक्रम्य बुधस्तस्थौ प्रजानामहितावहः ।
सधूमपरिवृत्तोर्मिः प्रज्वलन्निव सागरः ॥
उत्पपात तदा क्रुद्धः स्पृशन्निव दिवाकरम् ।
शस्त्रवर्णः सुपरुषो मन्दरश्मिर्दिवाकरः ॥
अदृश्यत कबन्धाङ्कः संसक्तो धूमकेतुना ।
कोसलानां च नक्षत्रं व्यक्तमिन्द्राग्निदैवतम् ।
आहत्याङ्गारकस्तस्थौ विशाखमपि चाम्बरे ॥६/१०२/३२-३५॥
Seeing the moon-like Rama attacked by Rahu-like Ravana, Mercury who brings difficulties to people attacked Rohini star, dear to Moon and associated with Prajapati. The ocean was in turmoil blazing and as if touching the Sun. The sun had the colour of a weapon and with a mark of a headless body had become dull in contact with a Comet. Mars stood in the sky attacking Vishakha, the star of Kosalas and which represents Indra and Agni.

पूर्णे चतुर्दशे वर्षे पञ्चम्यां लक्ष्मणाग्रजः ।
भरद्वाजाश्रमं प्राप्य ववन्दे नियतो मुनिम् ॥६/१२४/१॥
Disciplined Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana reached the hermitage of Bharadwaja and bowed to the sage on the fifth day after completing fourteen years. 
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