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52
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरः पितुः ।
स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव रणवत्तरः ॥
 
But, of them, Rama, of great effulgence
and the bringer of joy to his father as
Svayambhu to all beings, was foremost by
his virtues.
 
तं समीक्ष्य महाराजो युक्तं समुदितैश्शुभैः ।
निश्चित्य सचिवैस्सार्धं युवराजममन्यत ॥
 
Seeing him thus endowed with excellent
and auspicious qualities, the great king took
counsel with his ministers and thought of
him as Yuvaraja.
 
आत्मनश्च प्रजानां च श्रेयसे च प्रियेण च ।
प्राप्तकालेन धर्मात्मा भक्तया त्वरितवान्नृपः ॥
 
For the glory and affection of himself
and his subjects, the righteous-minded king
was in great haste, spurred by love, as the
proper time approached.
 
ततः परिषदं सर्वामामन्त्र्य वसुधाधिपः ।
हितमुद्धर्षणं चैवमुवाच प्रथितं वचः ॥
 
Then, having invited his entire court, the
lord of the earth (Dasaratha) made this
benign, lofty and resounding speech.