॥ अथ अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्नवतितमः सर्गः ॥
२.९४.१
आघ्राय रामस्तं मूर्ध्नि परिष्वज्य च राघवः ।
अङ्के भरतमारोप्य पर्यपृच्छत्समाहितः ॥
Summary AI Smelling *Bharata* on the head and embracing him, *Rāma*, the scion of the *Raghu* dynasty, placed him on his lap and, composed in mind, began to inquire after his welfare.
२.९४.२
क्व नु तेऽभूत्पिता तात यदरण्यं त्वमागतः ।
न हि त्वं जीवतस्तस्य वनमागन्तुमर्हसि ॥
Summary AI O dear one, where is your father, that you have come to the forest? Indeed, while he is alive, you ought not to have come to the forest.
M N Dutt Where was your father, child, that you have come to the forest? It certainly behoves you not to come to the forest while he is living.
२.९४.३
चिरस्य बत पश्यामि दूराद्भरतमागतम् ।
दुष्प्रतीकमरण्येऽस्मिन्किं तात वनमागतः ॥
Summary AI Alas, after a long time, I see *Bharata* who has arrived from afar. O dear one, why have you come to this forest, where your presence is difficult to behold?
M N Dutt Ah! I see you come from far after a long time. Why, my child, have you come to this gloomy forest?
२.९४.४
कच्चिद्दशरथो राजा कुशली सत्यसंगरः ।
राजसूयाश्वमेधानामाहर्ता धर्मनिश्चयः ॥
Summary AI Is King *Daśaratha* well—he who is true to his promise, the performer of the *Rājasūya* and *Aśvamedha* sacrifices, and firm in his resolve to follow *dharma*?
M N Dutt Is that truthful one, that performer of Rajasüya and Aśvamedha, ever devoted to righteousness, king Dasaratha, well?
२.९४.५
स कच्चिद्ब्राह्मणो विद्वान्धर्मनित्यो महाद्युतिः ।
इक्ष्वाकूणामुपाध्यायो यथावत्तात पूज्यते ॥
Summary AI O dear brother, is that learned *Brāhmaṇa*, the preceptor of the *Ikṣvāku* dynasty, who is devoted to *dharma* and possessed of great luster, being honored as is customary?
M N Dutt My child, is that exceedingly effulgent and learned Brāhmaṇa ever steady in morality, the priest of the Iksvākus, duly honoured?
२.९४.६
तात कच्चिच्च कौसल्या सुमित्रा च प्रजावती ।
सुखिनी कच्चिदार्या च देवी नन्दति कैकयी ॥
Summary AI O dear one, are *Kausalyā* and *Sumitrā*, mothers of noble sons, happy? And does the noble Queen *Kaikeyī* rejoice?
M N Dutt And, my child, are Kausalyā, and Sumitrā having a son, in happiness? And is the noble Kaikeyi in spirits?
२.९४.७
कच्चिद्विनय संपन्नः कुलपुत्रो बहुश्रुतः ।
अनसूयुरनुद्रष्टा सत्कृतस्ते पुरोहितः ॥
Summary AI Is your priest—who is endowed with humility, born of a noble family, well-versed in the scriptures, devoid of envy, and far-sighted—properly honored by you?
M N Dutt And is that one, sprung from a mighty line, humble and versed in various lore, your priest, who performs every ceremony, who bears no ill will, and whose gaze is ever fixed upon our welfare, honoured?
२.९४.८
कच्चिदग्निषु ते युक्तो विधिज्ञो मतिमानृजुः ।
हुतं च होष्यमाणं च काले वेदयते सदा ॥
Summary AI Does the priest, who is dedicated to the sacred fires, knowledgeable in rituals, wise, and straightforward, always inform you about the offerings made and those yet to be offered at the proper time?
M N Dutt Do intelligent and sincere people cognizant of the rules, look after the sacrificial fire? And do they regularly inform you of the proper seasons for performing the fire-sacrifice?
२.९४.९
इष्वस्त्रवरसंपन्नमर्थशास्त्रविशारदम् ।
सुधन्वानमुपाध्यायं कच्चित्त्वं तात मन्यसे ॥
Summary AI O dear one, do you respect your teacher *Sudhanvā*, who is proficient in the science of politics and exceptionally skilled in the use of arrows and other weapons?
M N Dutt And do not disregard the preceptor Sudhanvā versed in excellent arms whether inspired with mantras or not, and accomplished in the knowledge of polity?
२.९४.१०
कच्चिदात्म समाः शूराः श्रुतवन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः ।
कुलीनाश्चेङ्गितज्ञाश्च कृतास्ते तात मन्त्रिणः ॥
Summary AI O dear one, have you appointed ministers who are equal to you, brave, learned, self-controlled, of noble birth, and capable of understanding gestures and hints?
M N Dutt And, my child, have you employed as your controlled, well-born, and understanding signs, who are like your own self?
२.९४.११
मन्त्रो विजयमूलं हि राज्ञां भवति राघव ।
सुसंवृतो मन्त्रधरैरमात्यैः शास्त्रकोविदैः ॥
Summary AI O scion of the *Raghu* dynasty, the secret counsel of kings, well-guarded by ministers who are experts in the scriptures and keepers of secrets, is indeed the root of victory.
M N Dutt O descendant of Raghu, counsel well kept by clever councillors versed in lore, is the root of victory with kings.
२.९४.१२
कच्चिन्निद्रावशं नैषि कच्चित्काले विबुध्यसे ।
कच्चिंश्चापररात्रिषु चिन्तयस्यर्थनैपुणम् ॥
Summary AI Do you avoid falling under the sway of sleep? Do you wake up at the proper time? In the latter part of the night, do you reflect upon the subtle nuances of state affairs?
M N Dutt You have not come under the sway of sleep? and you awake at the proper hour? And do you during the short hours revolve the means of acquiring wealth?
२.९४.१३
कच्चिन्मन्त्रयसे नैकः कच्चिन्न बहुभिः सह ।
कच्चित्ते मन्त्रितो मन्त्रो राष्ट्रं न परिधावति ॥
Summary AI Do you refrain from deliberating alone and also from deliberating with too many? Does your well-considered counsel not leak out and circulate through the kingdom?
M N Dutt And you did not take counsel either with yourself alone, or (on the other hand) with a multiplicity of counsellors? and your counsel does not range the kingdom (i.e. does not take air)?
२.९४.१४
कच्चिदर्थं विनिश्चित्य लघुमूलं महोदयम् ।
क्षिप्रमारभसे कर्तुं न दीर्घयसि राघव ॥
Summary AI O scion of the *Raghu* dynasty, having decided upon a project that requires small effort but yields great results, do you begin it immediately without delay?
M N Dutt O descendant of Raghu, having determined upon a course costing small effort but fraught with a mighty result, you set about it sharply and delay not?
२.९४.१५
कच्चित्तु सुकृतान्येव कृतरूपाणि वा पुनः ।
विदुस्ते सर्वकार्याणि न कर्तव्यानि पार्थिवाः ॥
Summary AI Do other kings know of your actions only when they are completed or well-advanced, and not while they are still in the planning stages?
M N Dutt Do the (auxiliary) kings know only those acts of yours that have been accomplished or those that are well nigh so, and not those that you intend to set yours hand to?
२.९४.१६
कच्चिन्न तर्कैर्युक्त्वा वा ये चाप्यपरिकीर्तिताः ।
त्वया वा तव वामात्यैर्बुध्यते तात मन्त्रितम् ॥
Summary AI O dear one, is your secret deliberation not guessed by others through logic—whether it was discussed by you or your ministers—nor discovered by those who were not part of the discussion?
M N Dutt Do others through inference or appearances come at a knowledge of your counsels, although undivulged to others by yourself or your counsellors; and (do you and your ministers) attain to a knowledge of others' counsels?
२.९४.१७
कच्चित्सहस्रान्मूर्खाणामेकमिच्छसि पण्डितम् ।
पण्डितो ह्यर्थकृच्छ्रेषु कुर्यान्निःश्रेयसं महत् ॥
Summary AI Do you prefer a single wise man over a thousand fools? Indeed, a wise man can bring about great benefit during difficult crises.
M N Dutt And passing by a thousand dunces, do you set your heart on having a single wise man? In times of pecuniary stress, a wise man stands in excellent stead.
२.९४.१८
सहस्राण्यपि मूर्खाणां यद्युपास्ते महीपतिः ।
अथ वाप्ययुतान्येव नास्ति तेषु सहायता ॥
Summary AI If a king relies on thousands or even tens of thousands of fools, there is no real assistance to be found among them.
M N Dutt And although a king might be surrounded by a thousand or ten thousand fools, yet he can count upon no assistance (at their hands).
२.९४.१९
एकोऽप्यमात्यो मेधावी शूरो दक्षो विचक्षणः ।
राजानं राजमात्रं वा प्रापयेन्महतीं श्रियम् ॥
Summary AI Even a single minister who is intelligent, brave, capable, and discerning can bring great prosperity to a king or his regent.
M N Dutt And a single able counsellor, intelligent, heroic, and sagacious, bring great prosperity upon a king or a prince.
२.९४.२०
कच्चिन्मुख्या महत्स्वेव मध्यमेषु च मध्यमाः ।
जघन्याश्च जघन्येषु भृत्याः कर्मसु योजिताः ॥
Summary AI Are your best servants appointed to important tasks, mediocre ones to average tasks, and the lowest ones to menial works?
M N Dutt And, my child, do you employ the best servants upon the best offices, the middling upon middling, and the worst upon the worst?
२.९४.२१
अमात्यानुपधातीतान्पितृपैतामहाञ्शुचीन् ।
श्रेष्ठाञ्श्रेष्ठेषु कच्चित्त्वं नियोजयसि कर्मसु ॥
Summary AI Do you appoint ministers who have passed the test of integrity, are inherited from your ancestors, and are pure and noble, to the most important administrative tasks?
M N Dutt And did you employ upon the most worthy offices counsellors who are above bribery, who have served your father and grand-father, and who are pure?
२.९४.२२
कच्चित्त्वां नावजानन्ति याजकाः पतितं यथा ।
उग्रप्रतिग्रहीतारं कामयानमिव स्त्रियः ॥
Summary AI Do the priests not look down upon you as women despise a lustful man or as the public despises one who accepts forbidden gifts or has fallen from grace?
M N Dutt Do the priests scorn you like a fallen one, even as females do those lascivious folks who use force towards the former?
२.९४.२३
उपायकुशलं वैद्यं भृत्यसंदूषणे रतम् ।
शूरमैश्वर्यकामं च यो न हन्ति स वध्यते ॥
Summary AI A king who fails to eliminate a physician skilled in schemes, intent on corrupting servants, and a brave man desiring sovereignty, is himself eventually destroyed.
M N Dutt He that does not slay a physician skilled in ways and means, a servant given to enlisting the sympathies of his fellow-servants against his master, or a hero that covets riches, is slain (by them).
२.९४.२४
कच्चिद्धृष्टश्च शूरश्च धृतिमान्मतिमाञ्शुचिः ।
कुलीनश्चानुरक्तश्च दक्षः सेनापतिः कृतः ॥
Summary AI Have you appointed a commander-in-chief who is bold, brave, courageous, wise, pure, of noble birth, loyal, and efficient?
M N Dutt And had you chosen for your general one that is confident, is endowed with intelligence and fortitude, sprung in a respectable race, and attached and able?
२.९४.२५
बलवन्तश्च कच्चित्ते मुख्या युद्धविशारदाः ।
दृष्टापदाना विक्रान्तास्त्वया सत्कृत्य मानिताः ॥
Summary AI Are your principal warriors, who are strong, skilled in warfare, of proven valor, and courageous, duly honored and respected by you?
M N Dutt And do you practically honour your foremost warriors possessed of prowess, who have already given evidence of their manliness?
२.९४.२६
कचिद्बलस्य भक्तं च वेतनं च यथोचितम् ।
संप्राप्तकालं दातव्यं ददासि न विलम्बसे ॥
Summary AI Do you grant the food rations and appropriate wages to the army at the scheduled time without any delay?
M N Dutt And do you at the proper time grant your soldiers what you should, provision and pay; and do not delay in doing this?
२.९४.२७
कालातिक्रमणे ह्येव भक्त वेतनयोर्भृताः ।
भर्तुः कुप्यन्ति दुष्यन्ति सोऽनर्थः सुमहान्स्मृतः ॥
Summary AI When there is a delay in providing food and wages, employees become angry with their master and turn rebellious; this is considered a great calamity.
M N Dutt If the proper time for granting provision and pay be passed, the servants get wroth with their master and tax him; and great is the evil that springs herefrom.
२.९४.२८
कच्चित्सर्वेऽनुरक्तास्त्वां कुलपुत्राः प्रधानतः ।
कच्चित्प्राणांस्तवार्थेषु संत्यजन्ति समाहिताः ॥
Summary AI Are all the noble-born men, especially the leaders, devoted to you? Do they, with concentrated minds, stand ready to sacrifice their lives for your sake?
M N Dutt And are the principal descendants of our race attached to you; and are they, when enlisted on your side with concentrated minds, ready to lay down their lives?
२.९४.२९
कच्चिज्जानपदो विद्वान्दक्षिणः प्रतिभानवान् ।
यथोक्तवादी दूतस्ते कृतो भरत पण्डितः ॥
Summary AI O *Bharata*, have you appointed an envoy who is a native of the land, learned, clever, resourceful, truthful in speech, and wise?
M N Dutt O Bharata, are your spies persons coming from the provinces, and learned, upright, endowed with presence of mind, representing the truth, and possessed of wisdon?
२.९४.३०
कच्चिदष्टादशान्येषु स्वपक्षे दश पञ्च च ।
त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविज्ञातैर्वेत्सि तीर्थानि चारकैः ॥
Summary AI Do you monitor the eighteen departments of the enemy and the fifteen of your own through three independent and mutually unknown spies for each?
M N Dutt And do you acquire intelligence of the expedients, eighteen* in respect of others, and fifteen in respect of the own self, by means of every three spies appointed in connection with each of these expedients, men quite ignorant of each other's counsels? *1. Minister. 2. Priest. 3. Heir-apparent. 4. General. 5. Warder. 6. Gatekeeper of the inner-apartment. 7. Jailer. 8. Treasurer. 9. Conveyer of the royal orders. 10. Pleaders. 11. Judges. 12. Members of the council. 13. Distributor of pay and provision to the army. 14. Journeymen. 15. Justice of the peace. 16. Protector of the frontiers of the kingdom. 17. Magistrate. 18. Guards of rivers, hills, and fortresses.
२.९४.३१
कच्चिद्व्यपास्तानहितान्प्रतियातांश्च सर्वदा ।
दुर्बलाननवज्ञाय वर्तसे रिपुसूदन ॥
Summary AI O destroyer of foes, do you remain vigilant against the expelled or returned enemies, without disregarding them even if they seem weak?
M N Dutt And do you not contemn those. weak ones that, O destroyer of your. foes, having been expelled, have come again (to you)?
२.९४.३२
कच्चिन्न लोकायतिकान्ब्राह्मणांस्तात सेवसे ।
अनर्थ कुशला ह्येते बालाः पण्डितमानिनः ॥
Summary AI Dear brother, do you avoid associating with materialistic *Brāhmaṇas*? They are immature, falsely proud of their wisdom, and only skilled in causing harm through empty logic.
M N Dutt And, my child, you did not minister to atheistical Brāhmaṇas? These childish persons proud of their learning are only fit for bringing evils upon others. While there are excellent scriptures, these people of subtle intellects, having acquired a knowledge of dialectics, speak vanities.
२.९४.३३
धर्मशास्त्रेषु मुख्येषु विद्यमानेषु दुर्बुधाः ।
बुद्धिमान्वीक्षिकीं प्राप्य निरर्थं प्रवदन्ति ते ॥
Summary AI Despite the existence of the primary *Dharmaśāstras*, those of corrupt intellect resort to perverted reasoning and speak meaningless words.
M N Dutt And, my child, you did not minister to atheistical Brāhmaṇas? These childish persons proud of their learning are only fit for bringing evils upon others. While there are excellent scriptures, these people of subtle intellects, having acquired a knowledge of dialectics, speak vanities.
२.९४.३८
प्रहृष्टनरनारीकः समाजोत्सवशोभितः ।
सुकृष्टसीमा पशुमान्हिंसाभिरभिवर्जितः ॥
Summary AI Is your realm filled with happy men and women, vibrant with social festivals, characterized by well-tilled lands, rich in cattle, and free from violence?
२.९४.३९
अदेवमातृको रम्यः श्वापदैः परिवर्जितः ।
कच्चिज्जनपदः स्फीतः सुखं वसति राघव ॥
Summary AI O *Rāghava*, does your prosperous and delightful province, which is independent of rain for its crops and free from wild beasts, live in happiness?
२.९४.४०
कच्चित्ते दयिताः सर्वे कृषिगोरक्षजीविनः ।
वार्तायां संश्रितस्तात लोको हि सुखमेधते ॥
Summary AI Are those who live by agriculture and cattle-rearing dear to you? Indeed, the world prospers in happiness when it is supported by the science of trade and agriculture.
M N Dutt And do agriculturists and cow herds find favour in your sight? And remaining in their respective vocations, do they enjoy happiness?
२.९४.४१
तेषां गुप्तिपरीहारैः कच्चित्ते भरणं कृतम् ।
रक्ष्या हि राज्ञा धर्मेण सर्वे विषयवासिनः ॥
Summary AI Do you ensure the maintenance of your subjects by providing them protection and avoiding hardships? Indeed, a king must righteously protect everyone residing in his kingdom.
M N Dutt And do you maintain them by securing to them what they wish for and removing from them what they wish away? All the dwellers in his dominions should be protected by the king.
२.९४.४२
कच्चित्स्त्रियः सान्त्वयसि कच्चित्ताश्च सुरक्षिताः ।
कच्चिन्न श्रद्दधास्यासां कच्चिद्गुह्यं न भाषसे ॥
Summary AI Do you console the women and are they well-protected? I hope you do not place excessive trust in them nor disclose confidential matters to them.
M N Dutt And do you conciliate the females; and are they well protected by you? And do you not regard them; and do you not open to them your mind?
२.९४.४३
कच्चिन्नागवनं गुप्तं कुञ्जराणां च तृप्यसि ।
कच्चिद्दर्शयसे नित्यं मनुष्याणां विभूषितम् ।
उत्थायोत्थाय पूर्वाह्णे राजपुत्रो महापथे ॥
Summary AI Is the elephant forest well-guarded? Are you satisfied with the number of elephants? O Prince, rising early each morning, do you regularly present yourself, well-adorned, to the people on the main roads?
M N Dutt And do you show yourself daily in the court, well robed? And rising in the morning, do you show yourself in the high-ways?
२.९४.४४
कच्चित्सर्वाणि दुर्गाणि धनधान्यायुधोदकैः ।
यन्त्रैश्च परिपूर्णानि तथा शिल्पिधनुर्धरैः ॥
Summary AI Are all your forts fully stocked with wealth, grain, weapons, and water, as well as equipped with machines, artisans, and archers?
M N Dutt Are all the forts furnished with wealth, corn, arms water, machines, artisans, and bowmen?
२.९४.४५
आयस्ते विपुलः कच्चित्कच्चिदल्पतरो व्ययः ।
अपात्रेषु न ते कच्चित्कोशो गच्छति राघव ॥
Summary AI O *Rāghava*, is your income vast and your expenditure minimal? I hope your treasury is not being depleted by unworthy recipients.
M N Dutt And are your incomings great and outgoings slender? And, O Raghu's descendant, you do not give away your coffers to the undeserving?
२.९४.४६
देवतार्थे च पित्रर्थे ब्राह्मणाभ्यागतेषु च ।
योधेषु मित्रवर्गेषु कच्चिद्गच्छति ते व्ययः ॥
Summary AI Is your wealth spent on the worship of deities and ancestors, on *Brāhmaṇas* and guests, and on your soldiers and friends?
M N Dutt And did you spend your wealth in the interests of the deities, or the pitris, or the Brāhmaṇas who have come to you, or warriors, or friends?
२.९४.४७
कच्चिदार्यो विशुद्धात्मा क्षारितश्चोरकर्मणा ।
अपृष्टः शास्त्रकुशलैर्न लोभाद्बध्यते शुचिः ॥
Summary AI I hope a noble, pure-hearted, and innocent person, falsely accused of theft, is not punished out of greed without being interrogated by those proficient in the *Śāstras*.
M N Dutt If any respectable, pure-spirited and clean person happen to be accused by some one of theft or other crimes, do you from covetousness punish him without first having him tried by persons versed in scripture?
२.९४.४८
गृहीतश्चैव पृष्टश्च काले दृष्टः सकारणः ।
कच्चिन्न मुच्यते चोरो धनलोभान्नरर्षभ ॥
Summary AI O best of men, is a thief caught in the act, interrogated, and found guilty with evidence, not set free out of greed for wealth?
M N Dutt And, O best of men, is a thief, that has been caught, interrogated (as to his guilt), and found with the stolen property on his person, set free (by your men) from motives of gain.
२.९४.४९
व्यसने कच्चिदाढ्यस्य दुगतस्य च राघव ।
अर्थं विरागाः पश्यन्ति तवामात्या बहुश्रुताः ॥
Summary AI O *Rāghava*, do your learned ministers, free from bias, examine the disputes of both the wealthy and the poor when they are in distress?
M N Dutt And do your counsellors, o descendant of Raghu, accomplished in various lore, uninfluenced by greed, consider the conduct of both the rich and the poor involved in peril?
२.९४.५०
यानि मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतन्त्यस्राणि राघव ।
तानि पुत्रपशून्घ्नन्ति प्रीत्यर्थमनुशासतः ॥
Summary AI O *Rāghava*, the tears shed by those who are falsely accused destroy the children and cattle of a ruler who governs solely for his own pleasure.
M N Dutt O son of the Raghu race, the tears of those who have been falsely charged with any offence, (and who have failed to obtain justice), dropping, destroy the sons as well as the beasts of the ruler that minds his own comfort only.
॥ इति अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्नवतितमः सर्गः ॥
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Sanskrit Sahitya is a free, open-access digital library of classical Sanskrit literature with AI-powered tools and translations.