स राज्यमखिलं शासन्निहतारिर्महायशाः || ६-१२८-९१
राघवः परमोदारः शशास परया मुदा |
उवाच लक्ष्मणं रामो धर्मज्ञं धर्मवत्सलः || ६-१२८-९२
That renowned Rama, of a very generous nature, having destroyed his enemies and ruling the entire kingdom, enjoyed it with a great delight. Rama, affectionate of righteousness, spoke to Lakshmana, the knower of righteousness (as followers):
आतिष्ठ धर्मज्ञ मया सहेमां |
गां पूर्वराजाध्युषितां बलेन |
तुल्यं मया त्वं पितृभिर्धृता या |
तां यौवराज्ये धुरमुद्वहस्व || ६-१२८-९३
“O Lakshmana, the knower of what is right! Rule with me, this earth, as ruled by the earlier kings, with the help of an army. Installed in the office of Prince Regent, bear like me, the burden (of sovereignty), which was borne by our forefathers.”
सर्वात्मना पर्यनुनीयमानो |
यदा न सौमित्रिरुपैति योगम् |
नियुज्यमानोऽ पि च यावराज्ये
ततोऽभ्यषिञ्चद्भरतं महात्मा || ६-१२८-९४
When Lakshmana did not give his consent, even though being repeatedly entreated in all ways, nay even being appointed to the office of Prince Regent, the great-souled Rama thereupon consecrated Bharata.
पौण्डरीकाश्वमेधाभ्यान् वाजपेयेन चासकृत् |
अन्यैश्च विविधैर्यज्ञैरयजत्पार्थिवर्षभः || ६-१२८-९५
Rama propitiated the gods by performing Paundarika, Ashvamedha, Vajapeya and other sacrifices many times.
राज्यन् दशसहस्राणि प्राप्य वर्षाणि राघवः |
शताश्वमेधानाजह्रे सदश्वान्भूरिदक्षिणान् || ६-१२८-९६
Having enjoyed the kingship for ten thousand years, Rama performed a hundred horse-sacrifices, in which good horses were sacrificed and numerous gifts bestowed.
आजानुलम्बिबाहुश्च महास्कन्धः प्रतापवान् |
लक्ष्मणानुचरो रामः पृथिवीमन्वपालयत् || ६-१२८-९७
That Rama, having his long arms reaching down his knees, having a broad chest and glorious, ruled this earth with Lakshmana as his companion.
राघवश्चापि धर्मात्मा प्राप्य राज्यमनुत्तमम् |
ईजे बहुविधैर्यज्ञैः ससुतभ्रातृबान्धवः || ६-१२८-९८
Obtaining a very great kingdom the righteous Rama propitiated the almighty with many kinds of sacrifices, with the team-work of his sons, brothers and relatives.
न पर्यदेवन्विधवा न च व्यालकृतं भयम् |
न व्याधिजं भयन् वापि रामे राज्यं प्रशासति || ६-१२८-९९
While Rama was ruling the kingdom, there were no widows to lament, nor there was no danger from wild animals, nor any fear born of diseases.
निर्दस्युरभवल्लोको नानर्थः कन् चिदस्पृशत् |
न च स्म वृद्धा बालानां प्रेतकार्याणि कुर्वते || ६-१२८-१००
The world was bereft of thieves and robberies. No one felt worthless nor did old people perform obsequies concerning youngsters.
सर्वं मुदितमेवासीत्सर्वो धर्मपरोअभवत् |
राममेवानुपश्यन्तो नाभ्यहिन्सन्परस्परम् || ६-१२८-१०१
Every creature felt pleased. Everyone was intent on virtue. Turning their eyes towards Rama alone, creatures did not kill one another.
आसन्वर्षसहस्राणि तथा पुत्रसहस्रिणः |
निरामया विशोकाश्च रामे राज्यं प्रशासति || ६-१२८-१०२
While Rama was ruling the kingdom, people survived for thousands of years, with thousands of their progeny, all free of illness and grief.
रामो रामो राम इति प्रजानामभवन् कथाः |
रामभूतं जगाभूद्रामे राज्यं प्रशासति || ६-१२८-१०३
While Rama ruled the kingdom, the talks of the people-centered round Rama, Rama, and Rama. The world became Rama’s world.
नित्यपुष्पा नित्यफलास्तरवः स्कन्धविस्तृताः |
कालवर्षी च पर्जन्यः सुखस्पर्शश्च मारुतः || ६-१२८-१०४
The trees there were bearing flowers and fruits regularly, without any injury by pests and insects. The clouds were raining in time and the wind was delightful to the touch.
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा लोभविवर्जिताः |
स्वकर्मसु प्रवर्तन्ते तुष्ठाः स्वैरेव कर्मभिः || ६-१२८-१०५
आसन् प्रजा धर्मपरा रामे शासति नानृताः |
Brahmins (the intellectuals), Kshatriyas (the warriors), Vaishyas (merchants and agriculturists), Shudras (the service holders) were performing their own duties, satisfied with their own work and bereft of any greed. While Rama was ruling, the people were intent on virtue and lived without telling lies.
सर्वे लक्षणसम्पन्नाः सर्वे धर्मपरायणाः || ६-१२८-१०६
दशवर्षसहस्राणि रामो राज्यमकारयत् |
All the people were endowed with excellent characteristics. All were engaged in virtue. Rama was engaged in the kingship thus for one thousand years.
Source: Valmiki Ramayana 6th Kandam
