bAla kANDam, sarga 7
Individual verses with meanings:
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Hari Om.
Let us begin the seventh sarga of the bAlakAnDam with offering our prostrations at the lotus
feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
In this sarga, maharshi describes about the council of ministers of emperor daSaratha who
helped him govern his state so well.
The ministers of the ikshvAku dynasty were experts in deliberations, blessed with good
judgment and being observant grasped subtleties. They were ever engaged in the welfare of
people. The glorious emperor daSaratha had eight such blemishless, loyal and able ministers in
his council who were always busy in royal duties. The eight ministers were dhrishTi,
jayanta, vijaya, siddhArtha, arthasAdhaka, aSOka, mantrapAla and sumantra. The sages
vasisTha and vAmadEva advised the emperor along with other counsellors.
The ministers were well educated, felt shame in unjust acts (and hence refrained),
proficient, self-restrained, wealthy, well versed in SAstras, illustrious, steadfast in valour,
renowned, tracked their thoughts, spoke and greeted with a smile, acted in accordance with
their words, splendorous, forgiving and famous. They never uttered lie even in anger or to
get an unfair advantage in gaining something or fulfilling a desire. They were in cognizance
of past and current happenings in the state as well as what was to be done through a veyr
effective network of spies. They were adept at dealing with people, accessible and friendly.
In order to correct mistakes they didn’t hesitate to punish their own children appropriately.
They were experts in bringing revenue to the exchequer and recruiting for the army. They
didn’t impose any punishment on people not disposed towards them if they didn’t commit
any wrong [i.e. they didn’t abuse their power]. The ministers were heroic, steadfast and
were practitioners of statecraft. They were the protectors of virtuous people. They filled the
exchequer without torturing the brAhmins or kshatriyas. Guilty people were severely
punished only after a thorough investigation of their deeds. While the competent ministers
so governed the kingdom unanimously keeping only the welfare of the subjects in mind,
there was hardly a liar in that city or in the state. Further, in that city there was no one who
was wicked or had an extramarital affair and serenity prevailed over the entire kingdom. The
ministers were well dressed and were of spotless character, they were politically vigilant in
the welfare of the emperor, imbibed great qualities from elders, guided by their own intellect
and were renowned beyond the borders of the kOsala kingdom. They were completely
aware of the benefits and pitfalls of both peace and war, capable of maintaining secrecy of
state matters, comprehended all matters very well, always spoke pleasing words and were
gracious.
Assisted by such able and virtuous ministers daSaratha ruled the earth and was renowned
widely for his generosity, as an upholder of truth and for his valour. He employed spies and
ensured the welfare of the subjects righteously and banished the unrighteous ones. The
emperor didn’t have an enemy equal or superior to him and vanquished them. He had many
friends and the tributary kings were obedient to him.
Thus, ably assisted by the well wishing, skillful, capable and loyal counsellors, the emperor
acquired glory like the rising Sun with brilliant rays.
Here we conclude the 7th sarga of the bAlakAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and
humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
[Thus maharshi develops the plot of ayOdhya by first describing the city, its beauty, then follows
up with the great attributes of its population, and then shows us the highly capable ministers of
the emperor daSaratha who helped him govern the kingdom so well. Thus he has developed
the canvas of the city of ayOdhya, wherein, all is good and great and yet, there is something
lacking and that is making the king restless. That is coming up next. jAi SrIrAm]
Next: bAla kANDam, 8th sarga
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 