कार्यम् अण्व् अपि काले तु कृतम् एत्य् उपकारताम् । महद् अप्य् उपकारेण रिक्तताम् एत्य् अकालतः
Even a small act, when done at the right time, becomes beneficial; but even a great act, if untimely, becomes fruitless.
इत्य् एवम् उक्त्वा धर्मात्मा धर्मार्थसहितं वचः । विरराम महातेजा विश्वामित्रो मुनीश्वरः
Having thus spoken these words, imbued with righteousness and purpose, the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra fell silent.
श्रुत्वा वचो मुनिवरस्य महाप्रभावस् तूष्णीम् अतिष्ठद् उपपन्नम् इदं स वक्तुम् । नो युक्तियुक्तकथनेन विनैति तोषं धीमान् अपूरितमनोऽभिमतश् च लोकः
Hearing the words of the eminent sage, the mighty one stood silently, for it was fitting to do so; for even with reasoning speech, satisfaction does not arise in the wise whose wishes are unfulfilled, nor in the world.
तच् छ्रुत्वा राजशार्दूलो विश्वामित्रस्य भाषितम् । मुहूर्तम् आसीन् निश्चेष्टस् सदैन्यं चेदम् अब्रवीत्
Hearing Viśvāmitra's words, the tiger among kings sat motionless for a moment, filled with sorrow, and then spoke as follows.
ऊनषोडशवर्षो ऽयं रामो राजीवलोचनः । न युद्धयोग्यताम् अस्य पश्यामि सह राक्षसैः
This lotus-eyed Rama is not yet sixteen years old; I do not see him fit for battle with the rakshasas.
इयम् अक्षौहिणी पूर्णा यस्याः पतिर् अहं प्रभो । तया परिवृतो युद्धं दास्यामि पिशिताशिनाम्
This full akshauhini is mine, O Lord, and I am its master; surrounded by it, I will give battle to the flesh-eaters.
इमे हि शूरा विक्रान्ता भृत्या अस्त्रविशारदाः । अहं चैषां धनुष्पाणिर् गोप्ता समरमूर्धनि
These are valiant and courageous servants, skilled in weapons; and I, holding the bow, am their protector at the forefront of war.
एभिस् सह तवारीणां महेन्द्रमहताम् अपि । ददामि युद्धं मत्तानां करिणाम् इव केसरी
With these, I offer battle even to your enemies as mighty as Mahendra; like a lion among intoxicated elephants.
बालो रामस् त्व् अनीकेषु न जानाति बलाबलम् । अन्तःपुराद् ऋते दृष्टा नानेनान्या रणावनिः
Young Rama, in the ranks, does not know strength or weakness; except for the inner chambers, he has not seen any other battlefield.
न चास्त्रैः परमैर् युक्तो न च युद्धविशारदः । न भटभ्रूकुटीनां च तज्ज्ञस् समरमूर्धसु
He is not equipped with supreme weapons, nor is he skilled in warfare; nor does he know the fierce frowns of warriors in the heat of battle.
केवलं पुष्पषण्डेषु नगरोपवनेषु च । उद्यानवनकुञ्जेषु सदैव परिशीलितः
He has only ever been accustomed to flower gardens, city groves, and the thickets of parks and woods.
विहर्तुम् एष जानाति सह राजकुमारकैः । कीर्णपुष्पोपकारासु स्वकास्व् अजिरभूमिषु
He knows how to play with the royal princes, in his own courtyards adorned with scattered flowers.
अद्य त्व् अतितरां ब्रह्मन् मम भाग्यविपर्ययात् । हिमेनेवाहतः पद्मस् सम्पन्नो हरितः कृशः
Today, O Brahman, by a reversal of my fortune, I am like a lotus struck by frost: once flourishing and green, now withered and frail.
नात्तुम् अन्नानि शक्नोति न विहर्तुं गृहावनौ । अन्तःखेदपरीतात्मा तूष्णीं तिष्ठति केवलम्
He cannot eat food, nor enjoy himself at home or outdoors; his heart is overwhelmed with inner distress, and he sits in silence, doing nothing.
सदारस् सहभृत्यो ऽहं तत्कृते मुनिनायक । शरदीव पयोवाहो नूनं निस्सहतां गतः
With my wife and attendants, O chief of sages, I too have become utterly helpless on his account, like a raincloud in autumn.
ईदृशो ऽसौ सुतो बाल आधिना विवशीकृतः । कथं ददामि तं तुभ्यं योद्धुं सह निशाचरैः
Such is my son, a mere boy, rendered powerless by sorrow—how can I give him to you to fight against the night-dwelling demons?
अपि बालाङ्गनासङ्गाद् अपि साधो सुधारसात् । राज्याद् अपि सुखायैष पुत्रस्नेहो महामते
O wise one, the love for a son brings happiness greater than that from the company of young women, from the taste of nectar, or even from sovereignty.
ये दुरन्ता महारम्भास् त्रिषु लोकेषु खेददाः । पुत्रस्नेहेन सन्तो ऽपि कुर्वते ते न संश्रयम्
Even those who are content do not undertake the most difficult and exhausting endeavors in the three worlds, but for the sake of love for a son, they do not hesitate.
असवो ऽथ धनं दारास् त्यज्यन्ते मानवैस् सुखम् । न पुत्रा मुनिशार्दूल स्वभावो ह्य् एष जन्तुषु
People may easily give up their lives, wealth, or wives, O best of sages, but not their sons—such is the nature of living beings.
राक्षसाः क्रूरकर्माणः कूटयुद्धविशारदाः । रामस् तान् योधयत्व् इत्थम् उक्तिर् एवातिदुस्सहा
The very thought that Rama should fight those demons—cruel in deed and skilled in deceitful warfare—is utterly unbearable.