Ramayana Condensed in the Poet's Own Words /148

130
 
THENow Sumantra the charioteer, having
been given leave, arrived at Ayodhya on
the third day ; and saluting the king,
reported the words of RAMAYANA
 
Now Sumantra the ama, exacharioteer, having
tly as
spoken been given leave, arrived at Ayodhya on
the third day ; and saluting the king,
reported the words of Rama, exactly as
spoken by the latter :
 

 
सूत मद्वचनात्तस्य तातस्य विदितात्मनः ।

शिरसा वन्दनीयस्य वन्द्यौ पादौ महात्मनः ॥
 

"O charioteer, as now instructed by

me, both the feet of my high-souled

father, possessing self-knowledge and

deserving of salutation with my head,

should be saluted by you.
 

 
माता च मम कौसल्या कुशलं चाभिवादनम् ।

अप्रमादं च वक्तव्या ब्रूयाश्चैनामिदं वचः ॥
 

And my mother Kausalya too should

be told of my salutation and welfare and

of the necessity of her being attentive to

duty. And tell her these words :
 

 
धर्मनित्या यथाकालमग्न्यगारपरा भव ।

देवि देवस्य पादौ च देववत् परिपालय ॥
 
6
 

' Always devoted to Dharma, watch the

fire house at the prescribed time. O

Queen, salute the feet of the king (as

zealously) as those of a God.'