Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam
( Translation and Commentary by Scholar,
Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji
and Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )
Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam
Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
Chapter [Sarga] 32
Introduction
Seetha was shocked, fell unconscious at the sight of Rama’s head and bow. She regained consciousness and asked Ravana to kill her also, so that she would join her husband in heaven. Meanwhile, Ravana is abruptly called away by an emissary and after consultation with his ministers, prepares his army for action against the forces of Rama.
saa siitaa tacchiro dR^iSTvaa tac ca kaarmukam uttamam | |
sugriiva pratisamsargam aakhyaatam ca hanuumataa || 6-32-1
nayane mukha varNam ca bhartus tat sadR^isham mukham |
keshaan kesha anta desham ca tam ca cuuDaa maNim shubham || 6-32-2
etaih sarvair abhijnaanair abhijnaaya suduhkhitaa |
vijagarhe atha kaikeyiim kroshantii kurarii yathaa || 6-32-3
sugriiva pratisamsargam aakhyaatam ca hanuumataa || 6-32-1
nayane mukha varNam ca bhartus tat sadR^isham mukham |
keshaan kesha anta desham ca tam ca cuuDaa maNim shubham || 6-32-2
etaih sarvair abhijnaanair abhijnaaya suduhkhitaa |
vijagarhe atha kaikeyiim kroshantii kurarii yathaa || 6-32-3
1, 2, 3. dR^ishhTva= seeing; tat= that; shiraH= head; tat= that; uttamam= excellent; kaarmukamcha= bow; sugriivapratisamsargam= (hearing about Rama’s) friendly union with Sugreeva; aakhyaatam= as appraised; hanuumataa= by Hanuman; nayane= the eyes; mukhavarNamcha= facial complexion; sadR^isham= resembling; bhartuH=(those of) her husband; tat= that; mukham= face; kesham= the hair; keshaanta deshamcha= the expanse of his fore-head; tam= that; shubham= beautiful; chuuDaa maNimcha= jewel worn on the top of his head; abhijN^aaya= and recognizing; sarvaiH= all; etaiH =these; abhijN^aanaiH= marks of proof; saa siitaa= that Sita; suduHkhitaa= was very much afflicted with sorrow ; kroshantii= crying; kurarii yathaa= like an osprey; vijagarhecha= and abused; kaikeyiim=Kaikeyi(as follows):
Seetha saw the illusory head and bow. She heard Ravana narrating about Rama’s friendly relationship with Sugreeva, as earlier apprised by Hanuman. Recognizing that head as that of Rama, with a proof resembling her husband’s eyes, facial complexion, hair, expanse of his forehead and the beautiful jewel worn on the top of his head, she was very much afflicted with sorrow, cried like an osprey and abused Kaikeyi who was the originator of the present calamity (as follows):
sakaamaa bhava kaikeyi hato ayam kula nandanaH |
kulam utsaaditam sarvam tvayaa kalaha shiilayaa || 6-32-4
kulam utsaaditam sarvam tvayaa kalaha shiilayaa || 6-32-4
4. kaikeyii = O,Kaikeyi ;bhava= = be; sakaamaa= an accomplisher of your desires; ayam=this Rama; kula nandanaH=causing joy to the family;hato= was killed; sarvam=the entire;kulam=race; utsaaditam=has been destroyed; tvayaa=by you; kalaha shiilayaa=of quarrelsome nature.
Kaikeyi! Be a fulfiller of your craving! This Rama, causing a joy to the family, has been slain. The entire race has been destroyed by a woman of squabbling nature.
aaryeNa kim nu kaikeyyaaH kR^itam raameNa vipriyam |
yanmayaa ciira vasanas tayaa prasthaapito vanam || 6-32-5
yanmayaa ciira vasanas tayaa prasthaapito vanam || 6-32-5
5. kim= what; vipriyam=harm; kR^itam nu=was done; kaikeyyaaH=to Kaikeyi; aaryeNa= by the venerable; raameNa= Rama?; yat= why; prasthaapito=was he sent on exile; vanam = to the forest; mayaa= along with me; dattvaa= by giving; ciira vasanam=clothes made of bark?
"You gave clothes made of bark to the venerable Rama and sent him on exile to the forest along with me. What harm has he done to you?"
evam uktvaa tu vaidehii vepamaanaa tapasvinii |
jagaama jagatiim baalaa chinnaa tu kadalii yathaa || 6-32-6
jagaama jagatiim baalaa chinnaa tu kadalii yathaa || 6-32-6
6. evam=thus; uktvaa=speaking; vaidehii=Seetha; tapasvini=the miserable; baalaa= girl; vepamaanaa = was trembling; jagaama= and fell; jagatiim=on the ground; kadalii yathaa=like a plantain tree; chhinnaa=which was cut-off.
Thus speaking, Seetha the miserable girl was trembling and fell on the ground like a plantain tree that was cut off. Thus speaking, Seetha the miserable girl was trembling and fell on the ground like a plantain tree that was cut off.
saa muhuurtaat samaashvasya pratilabhya ca cetanaam |
tat shirah samupaaghraaya vilalaapa aayata iikSaNaa || 6-32-7
tat shirah samupaaghraaya vilalaapa aayata iikSaNaa || 6-32-7
7. saa= she; aayatekshhaNaa= having wide eyes; atha= thereafter; samaashvaasya= was consoled; muhuurtaat= in a moment; parilabhya= obtained; chetanaam= consciousness; samupaasthaaya= approached near; tat= that; shiraH= head; vilaapa= and lamented.
The wide eyed Seetha thereafter was consoled in a moment, regained consciousness, approached near that illusory head and lamented as follows:
haa hataa asmi mahaa baaho viira vratam anuvrataa |
imaam te pashcima avasthaam gataa asmi vidhavaa kR^itaa || 6-32-8
imaam te pashcima avasthaam gataa asmi vidhavaa kR^itaa || 6-32-8
8. mahaabaaho= O, the long armed! Anuvrata= the follower; viira vratam=of a strong will; haa= alas! hataa asmi=I have been killed; gataa asmi=I have become a witness; te=to your; imaam= this; pashcima avasthaam=last fate; kR^itaa= I have been made; vidhavaa =a widow.
"O, the long armed Rama! The pursuer of a strong will! Alas, you have been killed! I have become a witness to your last fate. I have been made a widow.”
prathamam maraNam naaryaa bhartur vaiguNyam ucyate |
suvR^ittaH saadhu vR^ittaayaaH samvR^ittas tvam mama agrataH || 6-32-9
suvR^ittaH saadhu vR^ittaayaaH samvR^ittas tvam mama agrataH || 6-32-9
9. uchyate= it is said; prathamam= the early; maraNam= death; bhartuH= of a husband; vaiguN^yam= is a faultiness; naaryaah= of the woman; tvam= you; suvR^itah= having good conduct; samvR^ittaH= died; agrataH= earlier; mama= to me; saadhu vR^ittaayaaH= well surviving.
“It is said that the early death of a husband is the misfortune of a wife. You, having good conduct, have preceded me in death.”
duhkhaad duhkHam prapannaayaa magnaayaaH shoka saagare |
yo hi maam udyatas traatum so api tvam vinipaatitaH || 6-32-10
yo hi maam udyatas traatum so api tvam vinipaatitaH || 6-32-10
10. tvam= you; yaH= who; udyatah= tried; traatu= to protect; (me) magnaayaaH= who am immersed; shoka saagare= in an ocean of grief; prasannaayaaH= and obtained; mahat= a great; duHkham= affliction; so.api= such of you also; vinipaatitaH= have been killed.
“Even you who were actually intent on protecting me, fallen in great affliction and immersed in an ocean of grief, have been killed by the enemies”
saa shvashruur mama kausalyaa tvayaa putreNa raaghava |
vatsena iva yathaa dhenur vivatsaa vatsalaa kR^itaa || 6-32-11
vatsena iva yathaa dhenur vivatsaa vatsalaa kR^itaa || 6-32-11
11. raaghava= O, Rama! saa kausalya =that Kausalya; mama= my; shvashruuH= mother in law; vatsalaa= who cherished you tenderly; kR^itaa= has been left; vivatsaa= without a son; tvayaa= by you; putreNa= the son; vatseneva= as by a calf; dhenu yathaa= as to the cow
“O, Rama! My mother- in-law Kausalya who cherished you tenderly has been left without a son and resembles a cow that has lost its calf.”
udiSTam diirgham aayus te yair acintya paraakrama |
anR^itam vacanam teSaam alpa aayur asi raaghava || 6-32-12
anR^itam vacanam teSaam alpa aayur asi raaghava || 6-32-12
12. raaghava= O, Rama! UddishhTam= It was mentioned; daivaj^Nairapi= even by astrologers; te= (that) your; aayuH= life span; diirgham= is lengthy; raaghava= O,Rama! teshhaam= their; vachanam= words; anR^itam= are wrong; asi= you are; alpaayuH= short lived.
“O, Rama! It was mentioned even by astrologers that your life span is lengthy. O, Rama! Their words are wrong. You are short lived.”
atha vaa nashyati prajnaa praajnasya api satas tava |
pacaty enam tathaa kaalo bhuutaanaam prabhavo hyayam || 6-32-13
pacaty enam tathaa kaalo bhuutaanaam prabhavo hyayam || 6-32-13
13. athavaa= otherwise; tava= your; prajNaa= prudence; nashyati= is lost; praajN^asyaapi sataH= even though you were sagacious; yathaa= as to how; ayam= this; kaalaH= time; prabhavaH= which is a master; bhuutaanaam= for all beings; pachati= has satisfied; enam= this you.
“Otherwise, your prudence might have disappeared even though you were sagacious, for, Time the master of all beings has brought you to an end.”
adR^iSTam mR^ityum aapannaH kasmaat tvam naya shaastravit |
vyasanaanaam upaayajnaH kushalo hyasi varjane || 6-32-14
vyasanaanaam upaayajnaH kushalo hyasi varjane || 6-32-14
14. kasmaat= how is it possible that; tvam=you; nayashaastravit= who knew the doctrine of political ethics; aapannaH= obtained; adR^ishhTam= unforeseen; mR^ityum= death? UpaayajN^aH= you, who knew the expedients; asihi= were indeed; kushalaH= skilled; varjane= in warding off; vyasanaani=calamities.
“How is it possible that you, who knew the doctrine of political ethics obtained an unforeseen death? You, who knew the science of expediency, were indeed skilled in warding off calamities”
tathaa tvam sampariSvajya raudrayaa atinR^ishamsayaa |
kaala raatryaa mayaa aacchidya hR^itaH kamala locana || 6-32-15
kaala raatryaa mayaa aacchidya hR^itaH kamala locana || 6-32-15
15. kamala lochana= O,Rama, the lotus eyed! kaalaraatryaaH= by the night of all destroying time; ati nR^ishamsayaa= which was very much cruel; roudrayaa= and terrible; tathaa(you were)thus; samparishhvajya= encircled ; hR^itaH= embezzled; aachchhidya= and snatched away; mama= from me.
“O, Rama, the lotus eyed! The night of destroying time which was very much cruel and terrible thus has encircled you, embezzled you and snatched you away from me.”
upasheSe mahaa baaho maam vihaaya tapasviniim |
priyaam iva shubhaam naariim pR^ithiviim puruSa R^iSabha || 6-32-16
priyaam iva shubhaam naariim pR^ithiviim puruSa R^iSabha || 6-32-16
16. mahaabaaho= O, the mighty armed! Purushharshhabha= O, the best of men! Vihaaya= leaving; maam= me; tapasvinim= who am miserable; sheshhe= you lied down; iha= here; samaashlishhya= embracing; pR^ithiviim= the earth; priyaamiva= as your beloved.
“O, the mighty armed! O, the best of men! Leaving the miserable me, you lied down here, embracing the earth as your beloved”
arcitam satatam yatnaad gandha maalyair mayaa tava |
idam te mat priyam viira dhanuH kaancana bhuuSitam || 6-32-17
idam te mat priyam viira dhanuH kaancana bhuuSitam || 6-32-17
17. viira= O, the valiant Rama! Idam= this is; te= your; dhanuH= bow; kaaN^chana bhuushhitam= which was decorated with gold; matpriyam= dear to me; satatam= which was forever; architam= worshipped; tava= by you; yatnaat= with sandal paste and wreath of flowers.
“O, valiant Rama! Here is your bow which was decorated with gold, dear to me and worshipped diligently by you with sandal paste and wreath of flowers.”
pitraa dasharathena tvam shvashureNa mama anagha |
puurvaisH ca pitR^ibhiH saardham nuunam svarge samaagataH || 6-32-18
puurvaisH ca pitR^ibhiH saardham nuunam svarge samaagataH || 6-32-18
18. anagha= O, the faultless Rama!; evam= you; nuunam= surely; samaagataH= have met; svarge= in heaven; mama= my; shvashureNa= father in law; pitraa=and your father; dasharathena= Dasaratha; sarvaiH= and all; pitR^ibhiHsaartham= multitude of manes.
“O, the faultless Rama! Surely, you must have met in heaven your father and my father-in- law Dasaratha as well as all the multitude of manes.”
divi nakSatra bhuutas tvam mahat karma kR^itam priyam |
puNyam raaja R^iSi vamsham tvam aatmanaH samupekSase || 6-32-19
puNyam raaja R^iSi vamsham tvam aatmanaH samupekSase || 6-32-19
19. samupekshhase= you have abandoned; puN^yam= the pious; raajarshhi vamsham= lineage of royal sages; aatmanaH= of yourself; tvam= you; (by whom) ; mahat= a great; karma= act; kR^itam= has been done; tatha= and (which); nakshhatrabhuutam= was like a luminary; divi= in heaven.
“You have abandoned your own pious lineage of royal sages but whereas you performed a great act, which illuminated the heaven like a luminary.”
kim maan na prekSase raajan kim maam na pratibhaaSase |
baalaam baalena sampraaptaam bhaaryaam maam saha caariNiim || 6-32-20
baalaam baalena sampraaptaam bhaaryaam maam saha caariNiim || 6-32-20
20. raajan= O, prince!; kim= why; naprakshhyase= don’t you look ; maam= at me?; kim= why; na pratibhaashhase= don’t you reply; maam= me; bhaaryaam= a wife; sahachaariNiim= who lived with you together; sampraaptam= since the time of my obtaining; baalaam= as girl; baalena= by you as a boy.
“O, prince! Why don’t you look at me? Why don’t you reply me, a wife who lived with you together since the time of obtaining me as a girl by you as a boy.”
samshrutam gR^ihNataa paaNim cariSyaami iti yat tvayaa |
smara tan mama kaakutstha naya maam api duhkhitaam || 6-32-21
smara tan mama kaakutstha naya maam api duhkhitaam || 6-32-21
21. kaakutthsa= O, Rama! Smaranaama=remember; tat= that; yat= which; samshrutam= was promised; tvayaa= by you; paaNim gR^ihNataa= at the time of our marriage; charishhyaami iti= ‘I shall have righteousconduct with you; naya= take; maamapi= me also with you; duHkhitaam= wretched as I am.
“O, Rama! Remember your solemn promise at the time of our marriage, saying ‘I shall have righteous conduct with you’ Take me also with you, wretched as I Am.”
kasmaan maam apahaaya tvam gato gatimataam vara |
asmaal lokaad amum lokam tyaktvaa maam iha duhkhitaam || 6-32-22
asmaal lokaad amum lokam tyaktvaa maam iha duhkhitaam || 6-32-22
22. vara= O, the best; gatimataam = among the beings; kasmaat= for what reason; tvam= you; gataH= have gone; apahaaya= quitting; maam= me? Tyaktvaa= leaving; maamapi= even me; duHkhitaam= the miserable woman;( why have you gone); amum= to that; lokam= world; asmaat= from this; lokaat= world?
“O, Rama the best of beings! Why have you gone away, quitting me like this? Leaving me, the miserable woman, why have you gone to the other world from this world?”
kalyaaNair ucitam yat tat pariSvaktam mayaa eva tu |
kravya adais tat shariiram te nuunam viparikR^iSyate || 6-32-23
kravya adais tat shariiram te nuunam viparikR^iSyate || 6-32-23
23. kravyaadaiH= by wild beasts; tat=that; shariiram= body; nuunam= is now; viparikR^ishhyate= being dragged about; ruchiram= the beautiful; gaatram= body; parishhvaktam= was cuddled; mayaiva= by me; kalyaaNaiH= with divine essences.
“That beautiful body, which was cuddled by me with divine essences, is now being dragged about by wild beasts.”
agniStoma aadibhir yajnair iSTavaan aapta dakSiNaiH |
agni hotreNa samskaaram kena tvam tu na lapsyase || 6-32-24
agni hotreNa samskaaram kena tvam tu na lapsyase || 6-32-24
24. kena= why are you; na tu lapsyase= not securing; samskaaram= the privilege of being cremated; agnihotreNa= with sacrificial fire; (even though); tvam= you; ishhTavaan= have worshipped the Lord; yajN^aiH= through sacrificial performances; agnishhTomaadibhiH= such as agnishtoma; aaptadakshhiNaiH= furnished with abundant gifts?
“Why are you not securing the privilege of being cremated with a sacrificial fire, even though you have worshipped the Lord through sacrificial performances such as Agnishtoma, duly furnished with abundant gifts?”.
pravrajyaam upapannaanaam trayaaNaam ekam aagatam |
pariprakSyati kausalyaa lakSmaNam shoka laalasaa || 6-32-25
pariprakSyati kausalyaa lakSmaNam shoka laalasaa || 6-32-25
25. kausalyaa= Kausalya; shokalaalasaa= absorbed in grief; pariprakshhyati= can see; lakshhmaNam=Laksmana;aagatam= returned; trayaaNaam= out of the three; upapannanaam= who attained; pravrajyaam= exile.
“Kausalya absorbed as she was with grief can only see Lakshmana alone returned out of the three who attained exile.”
sa tasyaaH paripR^icchantyaa vadham mitra balasya te |
tava ca aakhyaasyate nuunam nishaayaam raakSasair vadham || 6-32-26
tava ca aakhyaasyate nuunam nishaayaam raakSasair vadham || 6-32-26
26. saH= he; aakhyaasyate= will narrate; nuunam= surely; tasyaaH= to her; paripR^ichchhantyaaH= when enquired; tava= about your; vadhamcha= slaghter; vadham= as also the killing; raakshhasaiH= by the demons; te mitra balasya= of the army of your ally; nishaayaam= at night.
“He will narrate surely to her when enquired, about your slaughter as also the killing of the army of your alley, by demons at night.”
saa tvaam suptam hatam shrutvaa maam ca rakSo gR^iham gataam |
hR^idayena vidiirNena na bhaviSyati raaghava || 6-32-27
hR^idayena vidiirNena na bhaviSyati raaghava || 6-32-27
27. raaghava= O, Rama! Shrutvaa= hearing; tvaam= that you; hatam= having been killed; suptam= while sleeping; maam= and me; gataam= having obtained; rakshhogR^iham= the house of ogres; saa= she; na bhavishhyati= will be no more; hR^idayana= with her heart; avadiirNena= broken.
“O, Rama! Hearing that you were killed while sleeping and that I was kept in the house of ogres, she will be no more, as her heart will be broken.”
mama hetoranaaryaayaa avaghaH paarthivaatmajaH |
raamaH saagamuttiirya viiryavaan goSpade hataH || 6-32-28
raamaH saagamuttiirya viiryavaan goSpade hataH || 6-32-28
28. raamaH= Rama; anaghaH= the faultless man; paarthivaatmajaH= the prince; viiryavaan= and the strong man; hataH= was killed; goshhpade; in a small puddle; uttiirya= after crossing; saagaram= the ocean; hetoH= for the cause; mama= of me; anaaryaayaaH= an unworthy woman.
"The strong and faultless prince Rama was killed in a small puddle, after crossing the ocean, for the cause of me, an unworthy woman.”
aham daasharathenoDhaa mohaatsvakupaamsanii |
aaryaputrasya raamasya bhaaryaa mR^ityurajaayata || 6-32-29
aaryaputrasya raamasya bhaaryaa mR^ityurajaayata || 6-32-29
29. aham- I; svakulapaamsanii= the obloquy of my race; uuDhaa= was wedded; daasharathena= by Rama; mohaat= due to ignorance; bhaaryaa= a wife herself; ajaayata= proved to be; mR^ityuH= the death; raamasya= of Rama; aaryaputrasya= an honorable man.
“I, the obloquy of my race, was wedded by Rama due to ignorance. Thus, a wife herself has eventually proved to be the cause for death of Rama, an honorable man.”
maanamaavyaam mayaa jaatim vaaritam daanamuttamam |
yaahamadyeha shochaami bhaaryaa sarvaatitherapi || 6-32-30
yaahamadyeha shochaami bhaaryaa sarvaatitherapi || 6-32-30
30. bhaaryaapi= even though I was his wife; sarvaatitheH=of Rama, who showed hospitality to all the guests; aham= I; yaa= that very person who is weeping; iha= here; adya= and now; (as) nuunam= without doubt; anyaam= in a another (previous); jaatim= existence; uttamam= an excellent; daanam= gift; vaaritam= was refused; mayaa= by me.
“Even though I was a wife of Rama who showed hospitality to all the guests, it is I, that very person, who is weeping here and now, because without doubt, in a previous existence, an excellent gift was refused by me (to an eligible person).”
saadhu paataya maam kSipram raamasya upari raavaNaH |
samaanaya patim patnyaa kuru kalyaaNam uttamam || 6-32-31
samaanaya patim patnyaa kuru kalyaaNam uttamam || 6-32-31
31. raavaNa= O, Ravana! samaanaya= unite; patnaya= the wife; patim= with the husband; kshhipram= and without delay; ghaataya=arrange to kill; maam= me; saadhu= right; upari= at the head; raamasya= of Rama; kuru= perform; uttamam= an admirable; kalyaaNam= and auspicious act
"Unite the wife with the husband and without delay, arrange to kill me right at the head of Rama. Thus, you will perform an admirable and auspicious act."
shirasaa me shirasH ca asya kaayam kaayena yojaya |
raavaNa anugamiSyaami gatim bhartur mahaatmanaH || 6-32-32
raavaNa anugamiSyaami gatim bhartur mahaatmanaH || 6-32-32
32. raavaNa= O, Ravana! yojaya= join; me shirasaa= my head; asya= with this Rama’s; shiraH= head; kaayam= body; kaayena= with the body; anugamishhyaami=I shall go along ; gatim= the path; mahaatmanaH= of my high soled; bhartuH= Lord.
“O, Ravana! Join my head with his head and my body with his body. I shall go along the path of my magnanimous Lord.”
iti saa duhkha samtaptaa vilalaapa aayata iikSaNaa |
bhartuH shiro dhanus tatra samiikSya janaka aatmajaa || 6-32-33
bhartuH shiro dhanus tatra samiikSya janaka aatmajaa || 6-32-33
33. aayatekshhaNaa= the wide eyed Sita; samiikshhya= seeing; tatra= there; bhartuH= her husband’s; shiraH= head; dhanushchaiva= and the bow; punaH punaH= again and again; duHkha santaptaa= was tormented with grief; vilalapa=and lamented; itiiva= in this way.
The wide-eyed Sita, seeing her husband’s head and bow there again and again, was tormented with grief and lamented as aforesaid.
evam laalapyamaanaayaam siitaayaam tatra raakSasaH |
abhicakraama bhartaaram aniikasthaH kRta anjaliH || 6-32-34
abhicakraama bhartaaram aniikasthaH kRta anjaliH || 6-32-34
34. siitaayaam= while Seetha; evam= was thus; laalapyamanayaam= weeping; raakshhasaH= a demon; aniikasthaH= who was a royal guard; abhichakraama= approached; bhartaaram= his Lord; tatra= there; kR^ItaaN^jaliH= with his joined palms in salutation. (And cried as follows):
While Seetha was lamenting thus, a demon who was a royal guard approached his Lord there with his joined palms in salutation (and cried as follows):
vijayasva aarya putra iti so abhivaadya prasaadya ca |
nyavedayad anupraaptam prahastam vaahinii patim || 6-32-35
nyavedayad anupraaptam prahastam vaahinii patim || 6-32-35
35. vijayasva= May you be victorious; aaryaputra= O, Noble Lord! saH= he; abhivaadya= respectfully announced; iti= thus; prasaadyacha= got propitiated; nyavedayat= and informed; prahastam= that Prahasta; vaahiniipatim= the army chief; anupraaptam= had come.
“May you be victorious, O noble Lord!” he respectfully announced thus, thereby winning his pleasure and informed that Prahasta the army chief had come.
amaatyaiH sa hitaH sarvaiH prahastastvaamupasthitaH |
tena darshanakaamena aham prasthaapitaH prabho || 6-32-36
tena darshanakaamena aham prasthaapitaH prabho || 6-32-36
36. prabho= O, Lord!; prahastaH= Prahasta; upasthitaH=has come; sahitaH= along with; sarvaH= all; amaatyaiH= ministers; darshana kaamena= eager as he is to see; tvaam= you; aham= I; prasthaapitaH= have been sent; tena= by him.
“O, Lord! Prahasta has come with all ministers. He has sent me, eager as he is, to see you.”
maanamasti mahaaraa ja raajabhaavaat kshamaanvita |
kimcid aatyayikam kaaryam teSaam tvam darshanam kuru || 6-32-37
kimcid aatyayikam kaaryam teSaam tvam darshanam kuru || 6-32-37
37. mahaaraaja= O, king; kshhamaanvita= endowed with patience; asti= there is; kimchit= a little; aatyayikam= urgent; kaaryam= work; raaja bhaavaat= by way of king’s duty; tvam= you; kuru= accord; darshanam= audience; teshhaam= to them; nuunam= now.
“O, king, endowed with patience! There is a little urgent work by way of king’s duty. Please accord them your audience now.”
etat shrutvaa dashagriivo raakSasa prativeditam |
ashoka vanikaam tyaktvaa mantriNaam darshanam yayau || 6-32-38
ashoka vanikaam tyaktvaa mantriNaam darshanam yayau || 6-32-38
38. shrutvaa= hearing; etat= the aforesaid; raakshhasa prativeditam= communication of the demon; dashagriivaH= Ravana; tyaktvaa= left; ashokavanikaam= the garden of Ashoka; yayou= and accorded; darshanam= his audience; mantriNaam= to the ministers.
Hearing the aforesaid communication of the demon, Ravana left the garden of Ashoka and bestowed audience to his ministers.
sa tu sarvam samarthya eva mantribhiH kRtyam aatmanaH |
sabhaam pravishya vidadhe viditvaa raama vikramam || 6-32-39
sabhaam pravishya vidadhe viditvaa raama vikramam || 6-32-39
39. saH=he; samarthaiva= deliberated; aatmanaH= with his; mantribhiH= ministers; sarvam= about the entire things; kR^ityam= to be done; pravishya= entered; sabhaam= the council chamber; viditvaa= and understanding; raamavikramam= about the strength of the Rama; vidhadhe= arranged for what was to be done.
He deliberated with his ministers as to what action in its entirety to be pursued and entered the council-chamber and issued his commands in accordance with the knowledge he possessed of Rama’s forces.
antardhaanam tu tat shiirSam tac ca kaarmukam uttamam |
jagaama raavaNasya eva niryaaNa samanantaram || 6-32-40
jagaama raavaNasya eva niryaaNa samanantaram || 6-32-40
40. niryaaNa samanantarameva= soon after the departure; raavaNasya= of Ravana; tat shiirshham= that head; tatuttamam= and that distinguished; kaarmukamcha= bow; jagaama= attained; antardhaanam= disappearance.
Soon after the departure of Ravana, the illusory head and bow had vanished.
raakSasa indras tu taiH saardham mantribhir bhiima vikramaiH |
samarthayaam aasa tadaa raama kaarya vinishcayam || 6-32-41
samarthayaam aasa tadaa raama kaarya vinishcayam || 6-32-41
41. tadaa=then; raakshhasendrastu= Ravana, the king of demons; saartham bhiima vikramaiH= along with his highly powerful;mantribhiH= ministers; samartha yaamaasa= decided; raamakaaryavinishchayam= on the measures he would adopt against Rama.
Then, Ravana the king of demons in consultation with his highly powerful ministers, decided on the measures he would adopt against Rama.
aviduura sthitaan sarvaan bala adhyakSaan hita eSiNaH |
abraviit kaala sadRsho raavaNo raakSasa adhipaH || 6-32-42
abraviit kaala sadRsho raavaNo raakSasa adhipaH || 6-32-42
42. raavaNaH= Ravana; raakshhasaadhipaH= the king of demons; kaalasadR^ishaH= resembling Yama, the god of death; abraviit= addressed; sarvaan= all; balaadhyakshhaan= the generals; hitaishhiNaH= devoted to his interests; aviduurasthitaan= standing nearby.
Ravana the king of demons, resembling Yama the god of death, addressed all the generals standing nearby, devoted to his interests as follows:
shiighram bherii ninaadena sphuTa koNa aahatena me |
samaanayadhvam sainyaani vaktavyam ca na kaaraNam || 6-32-43
samaanayadhvam sainyaani vaktavyam ca na kaaraNam || 6-32-43
43. bheriininaadena= by the sound of a drum; sphuTam= audibly; koNa hatena= beaten with a drumstick; shiighram= immediately; samaanayadhvam= summon; me=my; sainyaani= forces; nachavaktavyam= without expecting; kaaraNam= a reason.
“By a sound of a drum beaten audibly with a drum stick, immediately summon all my forces. Do not tell them the reason for which I am calling.”
tatas tathaa iti pratigR^ihya tad vaco |
stadaiva duutaaH sahasaa mahaadbalam |
samaanayamsH caiva samaagatam ca te |
nyavedayan bhartari yuddha kaankSiNi || 6-32-44
stadaiva duutaaH sahasaa mahaadbalam |
samaanayamsH caiva samaagatam ca te |
nyavedayan bhartari yuddha kaankSiNi || 6-32-44
44. tataH= then; duutaaH= the messengers; pratigR^ihya= answered; tathaa iti= “So be it” ; tadvachaH= obedient to his words; sahasaa= instantly; samaanayana= gathered together; mahat= a huge; balam= army; tadaiva= then itself; nyavedayan= and informed; bharatari= their lord; yuddhakaaN^kchhiNi= longing for fight; samaagatam= that they had assembled.
Then, the messengers answered, “So be it” obedient as they were to his words and instantly gathered a huge army together and informed their lord longing for fight, that they had since assembled the army.
ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe dvtriMshaH sargaH
Thus completes 32nd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
Chapter [Sarga] 33
Introduction
An ogre named Sarama reassures Seetha by telling her that Ravana, the conjurer created an illusory appearance of Rama’s head and exhibited it before her. She informs Seetha that Rama is still alive and is stationed along with his forces at the southern shore of the ocean. Sarama restores confidence to Seetha, by saying that Rama after killing Ravana in battle will soon win her back.
siitaam tu mohitaam dR^iSTvaa saramaa naama raakSasii |
aasasaada aashu vaidehiim priyaam praNayinii sakhii || 6-33-1
aasasaada aashu vaidehiim priyaam praNayinii sakhii || 6-33-1
1. atha= then; dR^ishhTvaa= seeing; mahitaam=the bewildered; siitaam= Seetha; raakshhasii= a demon; sarama= called Sarama; praNayinii= an affectionate; sakhii= female companion; aasasaada= approached; priyaam= her best loved; vaidehiim= Seetha.
Seeing the bewildered Seetha, a demon named Sarama*, an affectionate female companion then approached Seetha, her beloved Seetha, her beloved friend.
*Sarama, according to some commentators was the wife of Vibhishana.
mohitaam raakshasendreNa siitaam paramaduHkhitaam |
aashvaasayaamaasa tadaa saramaa mR^idubhaaShiNii || 6-33-2
aashvaasayaamaasa tadaa saramaa mR^idubhaaShiNii || 6-33-2
2. tadaa= then; saramaa= Sarama; mR^idu bhaashiNii= the soft-spoken woman; aashvaasayaamaasa= consoled; siitaam= Seetha; mohitaam= who was infatuated; raakshhasendreNa= by Ravana; paramaduHkhitaam= and who was very much in grief.
Sarama, the soft-spoken woman, consoled Seetha who having been infatuated by Ravana was very much in distress.
saa hi tatra kR^itaa mitram siitayaa rakSyamaaNayaa |
rakSantii raavaNaad iSTaa saanukroshaa dR^iDha vrataa || 6-33-3
rakSantii raavaNaad iSTaa saanukroshaa dR^iDha vrataa || 6-33-3
3. saa= Sarama; raavaNaadishhTaa= who was assigned by Ravana; rakshhantii; to guard Seetha; saanukroshaa= was kind hearted; dR^iDhavrataa= and firm in austerity; (she) kR^itaahi= was indeed made; mitram= a companion ; siitaaya= by Seetha; rakshhyamaaNayaa= who was being protected; tatra=there.
Sarma, who was assigned by Ravana to guard Seetha, was kind hearted and firm in austerity. She was indeed made a companion by Seetha, who was being protected by her there.
saa dadarsha sakhiim siitaam saramaa naSTa cetanaam |
upaavR^itya utthitaam dhvastaam vaDavaam iva paamsuSu || 6-33-4
upaavR^itya utthitaam dhvastaam vaDavaam iva paamsuSu || 6-33-4
4. saa= that; saramaa= Sarama; sakhii=the companion; dadarsha= saw; siitaam= Seetha; nashhTachetanaam= who lost her consciousness; upaavR^itya= having rolled herself; paamsushhu= in dust; badabaamiva= like a female horse; utthitaam= risen; dhvastaam= covered with dust
The affectionate Sarama found Seetha stupefied and just risen after rolling in the dust and soiled, resembling a female horse.
taam samaashvaasayaam aasa sakhii snehena suvrataa |
uktaa yad raavaNena tvam pratyuktam ca svayam tvayaa || 6-33-5
uktaa yad raavaNena tvam pratyuktam ca svayam tvayaa || 6-33-5
5. sakhii= that companion, Sarama; snehena= affectionate; samaa shvaasayaamaasa= consoled; taam= that Seetha; suvrataam= the very virtuous woman; vaidehi= O, Seetha, samaashvasihi= be comfortable; maa bhuut= Let there not be; vyathaa= perturbation; te maanasaa= in your mind.
Sarama consoled the very virtuous Seetha as follows “O, Seetha! Be comfortable! Do not get perturbed in your mind.
uktaa yadraavaNena tvam pratyuktashcha svayam tvayaa |
sakhii snehena tad bhiiru mayaa sarvam pratishrutam || 6-33-6
liinayaa ganahe shuuhye bhayam utsR^ijya raavaNaat |
tava hetor vishaala akSi na hi me jiivitam priyam || 6-33-7
sakhii snehena tad bhiiru mayaa sarvam pratishrutam || 6-33-6
liinayaa ganahe shuuhye bhayam utsR^ijya raavaNaat |
tava hetor vishaala akSi na hi me jiivitam priyam || 6-33-7
6, 7. bhiiru= O, timid woman! yat= whatever; uktvaa= was spoken; raavaNena= by Ravana; tvam= to you; tat sarvam= and all that; pratyuktashcha= was replied; tvayaa= by you; sarvam= of your own accord ; pratishrutam= was overheard; mayaa= by me; utsR^ijya= having abandoned; bhayam= fear; raavaNaat= from Ravana; liinayaa= by hiding; shuunye= in a barren; gagane= sky; sakhiisnehena= owing to affection towards you, my companion; vishaalaakshhi= O, the large eyed woman! me = to me; nahi= there is indeed no; bhayam= fear; raavaNaat = of Ravana; tava hetoH= in your cause.
timid woman! Because of my friendship with you, I overheard Ravana’s words and all the words you have spoken in reply to him, by hiding nearby in a barren sky without fear. O, large eyed woman! I do not have any fear of Ravana, owing to my affection towards you”.
sa sambhraantasha ca niSkraanto yat kR^ite raakSasa adhipaH |
tac ca me viditam sarvam abhiniSkramya maithili || 6-33-8
tac ca me viditam sarvam abhiniSkramya maithili || 6-33-8
8. maithili= O,Seetha! Sarvam= everything; viditam= was known; me= to me; abhinishhkramya= having gone outside; tatra= about that matter; yatkR^ite= why; saH raakshhaseshvaraH= that Ravana; nishhkaantah= had gone away; sambhraantaH= agitated.
"O, Seetha! Every thing was ascertained by me on the spot, after going out, about the reason for which Ravana has gone away agitated."
na shakyam sauptikam kartum raamasya vidita aatmanaH |
vadhashca puruSa vyaaghre tasminn eva upapadyate || 6-33-9
vadhashca puruSa vyaaghre tasminn eva upapadyate || 6-33-9
9. na sakyam= It is not possible; kartum= to perform; souptikam= an attack while sleeping; raamasya= in the case of Rama; viditaatmanaH= who was aware of his self; vadhashcha= killing also; tasmin= in his case; purushhavyaaghre= the tiger among men; naiva upapadyate= does not come into existence.
“It is not possible to attack Rama, a man of self awareness, while he is asleep. Nay even killing him, the tiger among men, is well nigh impossible.”
na ca eva vaanaraa hantum shakyaaH paadapa yodhinaH |
suraa deva R^iSabheNa iva raameNa hi surakSitaaH || 6-33-10
suraa deva R^iSabheNa iva raameNa hi surakSitaaH || 6-33-10
10. na shakyaaH= It is not possible; hantum= to kill; evam= in this manner; vaanaraaH= monkeys; paadapayodhinaH= who perform fighting by the use of trees; surakshhitaaH =and who are well protected; raamaNe= by Rama; suraaH iva= as celestials; surararshhabheNa= by Indra the excellent among celestials.
“It is not possible to kill in this manner even monkeys, who perform fighting with trees, in as much as they are fully protected by Rama, even as celestials are protected by Indra their lord”
diirgha vR^itta bhujah shriimaan mahaa uraskah prataapavaan |
dhanvii samhanana upeto dharma aatmaa bhuvi vishrutaH || 6-33-11
vikraanto rakSitaa nityam aatmanashca parasya ca |
lakSmaNena saha bhraatraa kushalii naya shaastravit || 6-33-12
hantaa para bala oghaanaam acintya bala pauruSaH |
na hato raaghavaH shriimaan siite shatru nibarhaNaH || 13
dhanvii samhanana upeto dharma aatmaa bhuvi vishrutaH || 6-33-11
vikraanto rakSitaa nityam aatmanashca parasya ca |
lakSmaNena saha bhraatraa kushalii naya shaastravit || 6-33-12
hantaa para bala oghaanaam acintya bala pauruSaH |
na hato raaghavaH shriimaan siite shatru nibarhaNaH || 13
11, 12, 13. siite= O, Seetha! raaghavaaH= Rama; diirghavR^itta bhujaH= who has long and rounded arms; shriimaan= an illustrious man; mahoraskaH= who is large-chested; prataapavaan= a man of great energy; dhanvii= wielder of a bow; samhananopetaH= a man endowed with muscularity; dharmaatmaa= a righteous minded man; vishrutaa= a man of celebrity; bhuvi= on earth; nityam= forever; vikraantaH= a man of strength; rakshhitaa= a protector; aatmanashcha= for himself; parasyacha= and for others; bhraataa lakshhmaN ena saha= who is together with his brother Lakshmana; kuliinah= a man of high descent; nayashaastravit= knower of doctrines of prudence and wisdom; hantaa= killer; para baloughaan= of a stream of enemy forces; achintyabala pourushhaH= a man with an inconceivable strength and valor; shriimaan= a venerable man; shatru nibarhaNaH= an annihilator of adversaries; na hataH= has not been killed.
“O, Seetha! Rama, who is endowed with long and well rounded arms, an illustrious man, who is large-chested, a man of great energy, an archer well known in the world, a man endowed with muscularity, a righteous minded man, a person of celebrity on earth, a man of eternal strength, a protector for himself and for others, while together with his brother Lakshmana, a man of high descent, a knower of doctrines of conduct and behavior, the killer of a stream of enemy forces, a man of inconceivable strength and valor, a venerable man and an annihilator of adversaries, has not been killed.”
ayukta buddhi kR^ityena sarva bhuuta virodhinaa |
iyam prayuktaa raudreNa maayaa maayaavidaa tvayi || 6-33-14
iyam prayuktaa raudreNa maayaa maayaavidaa tvayi || 6-33-14
14. maayaa= a trickery; prayuktaa= has been hurled; tvayi= on you; iha= here; maayaavinaa= by Ravana, a conjurer; ayuktabuddhikR^ityena= a committer of wrong thinking and action; sarvabhuuta virodhinaa= an enemy of all beings; roudreNa= and a fiery person.
“A trickery has been hurled on you here by the cruel Ravana, a conjurer, who is perverse in thinking and action and an enemy of all beings.”
shokas te vigataH sarvaH kalyaaNam tvaam upasthitam |
dhruvam tvaam bhajate lakSmiiH priyam priiti karam shR^iNu || 6-33-15
dhruvam tvaam bhajate lakSmiiH priyam priiti karam shR^iNu || 6-33-15
15. te= you; shokaH= sorrow; vigataH= has gone asunder; sarva kalyaaNam= an all pervading auspiciousness; upasthitam= has occasioned; tvaam= you; dhruvam= Assuredly; lakshhmiiH= prosperity; bhajate= is waiting upon; tvaam= you; priyam= a favorable thing; bhavati= is coming into existence; te= for you; shruNu= hear (me).
“Your sorrow is (now) gone once for all. An all-pervading auspiciousness will await you. Accordingly prosperity will attend on you. Hear me.”
uttiirya saagaram raamaH saha vaanara senayaa |
samniviSTaH samudrasya tiiram aasaadya dakSiNam || 6-33-16
samniviSTaH samudrasya tiiram aasaadya dakSiNam || 6-33-16
16. raamaH= Rama; vaanarasenayaa saha= along with his army of monkeys; uttiirya= having crossed; saagaram= the ocean; aasaadya= reached; dakshhiNam tiiram= the southern shore; samudrasya= of the sea; samnivishhTaH= and is encamped; (there)
“Rama, along with his army of monkeys, having crossed the ocean, reached its southern shore and is encamped there.”
dR^iSTo me paripuurNa arthaH kaakutsthaH saha lakSmaNaH |
sahitaiH saagara antasthair balais tiSThati rakSitaH || 6-33-17
sahitaiH saagara antasthair balais tiSThati rakSitaH || 6-33-17
17. kaakutthsaH= Rama; saha lakshmaNaH= who was along with Lakshmana; paripuurNaarthaH= who was full of meaning; dR^ishhTati= was perceived; me= by me; tishhTati= who is stationed (there); rakshhitaH= being protected; balaiH= by his forces; sahitaiH= who are united; saagaraantasthaiH= near the ocean.
“Rama, who was along with fully meaningful Lakshmana, was perceived by me. He stands protected by the troops gathered together at the vicinity of the ocean.”
anena preSitaa ye ca raakSasaa laghu vikramaH |
raaghavas tiirNaity evam pravR^ittis tair iha aahR^itaa || 6-33-18
raaghavas tiirNaity evam pravR^ittis tair iha aahR^itaa || 6-33-18
18. anena= by him; ye= which; laghuvikramaaH= quick paced; raakshhasaH= demons; preshhitaaH=were sent; pravR^ittiH= the news; aahR^itaa= has been brought; taiH= by them; ityevam= that; raaghavaH= Rama; tiirNaH= had crossed(the ocean.)
“Some swift paced demons, who were dispatched by Ravana, brought this very news here that Rama has crossed the ocean.”
sa taam shrutvaa vishaala akSi pravR^ittim raakSasa adhipaH |
eSa mantrayate sarvaiH sacivaiH saha raavaNaH || 6-33-19
eSa mantrayate sarvaiH sacivaiH saha raavaNaH || 6-33-19
19. vishaalaakshhi= O, the wide-eyed Seetha! shrutvaa= hearing; taam= that; pravR^ittim= news; saH eshhaH= yonder; raavaNaH= Ravana; mantrayate= is deliberating; sachivaih saha= with his ministers.
“O, the wide-eyed Seetha! Hearing that news, yonder Ravana is busy making deliberations with all his ministers.”
iti bruvaaNaa saramaa raakSasii siitayaa saha |
sarva udyogena sainyaanaam shabdam shushraava bhairavam || 6-33-20
sarva udyogena sainyaanaam shabdam shushraava bhairavam || 6-33-20
20. (while); saramaa= Sarama; raakshhasii= the ogress; bruuvaaNaa= was talking; iti= as aforesaid; siitaayaa saha= with Seetha; bhairavam= a terrific; shabdam= sound; shushraava= was heard; sarvodyogena= because of the all-out preparation; sainyaanaam= of the troops.
While Sarama, the ogre was talking as aforesaid with Seetha; a terrific sound was heard, from the troops engaged in the impending war.
daNDa nirghaata vaadinyaaH shrutvaa bheryaa mahaa svanam |
uvaaca saramaa siitaam idam madhura bhaaSiNii || 6-33-21
uvaaca saramaa siitaam idam madhura bhaaSiNii || 6-33-21
21. shrutvaa= hearing; mahaasvanam= a loud sound; bheryaaH= of a kettle drum; daN^Danirghaatavaadinyaa= made to sound like a thunder storm with drum stick; saramaa= Sarama; madhura bhaashhiNii= who speaks sweetly; uvaacha= spoke; siitam= to Seetha; idam= these words:
Hearing the crashing sound of kettle drums, made to sound like a thunder storm with a drum stick, Sarama in her sweet voice spoke to Seetha as follows:
samnaaha jananii hy eSaa bhairavaa bhiiru bherikaa |
bherii naadam ca gambhiiram shR^iNu toyada nisvanam || 6-33-22
bherii naadam ca gambhiiram shR^iNu toyada nisvanam || 6-33-22
22. bhiiru= O, timid Seetha! Eshhaa= this; bhairavaa= frightful; bherikaa= sound of kettle drum; samvaahajananii= is indeed indicative of preparation for a war; shruNu= hear; gambhiiram= the thundering; bheriinaadamcha= sound of the kettle drum; toyadaniH svanam= resembling the sound of a lightening cloud.
“O, timid Seetha! This frightful sound of a kettledrum is indeed indicative of preparation for a war. Hear also the thundering crash of the kettle drums, which resembles the rumbling of clouds”
kalpyante matta maatamgaa yujyante ratha vaajinaH |
tatra tatra ca samnaddhaaH sampatanti padaatayaH || 6-33-23
tatra tatra ca samnaddhaaH sampatanti padaatayaH || 6-33-23
23. matta maataN^gaaH= elephants in rut; kalpyante= are being caparisoned for war; rathavaajinaH= the chariot horses; yujyante= are being prepared for battle; sahasrashaH= thousands; turagaaruuDhaaH= of horse men ; praasa hastaaH= with darts in their hands; dR^ishyante= are being seen.
“Elephants in rut are being caparisoned for war. Chariot horses are being prepared for a battle. Thousands of horsemen carrying darts in their hands are seen.”
tatra tatra cha sannaddhaaH sampatanti sahasrashaH |
aapuuryante raaja maargaaH sainyair adbhuta darshanaiH || 6-33-24
vegavadbhir nadadbhishca toya oghair iva saagaraH |
aapuuryante raaja maargaaH sainyair adbhuta darshanaiH || 6-33-24
vegavadbhir nadadbhishca toya oghair iva saagaraH |
24. sahasrashaH= thousands; samnaddhaaH= of warriors equipped with armor; sampatanti= are marching quickly ; tatra tatra cha= here and there. RaajamaargaaH= Royal high ways; aapuuryante= are filled; adbhutadarshanaiH= with wonderfully looking; sainyaiH= warriors; saagaraH iva= like a sea; toyoughaiH= with its flood of waters; nadadbhishcha= with roaring sound; vegavadbhiH= and velocity.
“Thousands of soldiers equipped with armor are marching quickly hither and thither. Royal highways are filled with wonderfully looking warriors like a swift flowing sea with its flood of waters making a roaring sound.”
shaastraaNaam ca prasannaanaam carmaNaam varmaNaam tathaa || 6-33-25
ratha vaaji gajaanaam ca bhuuSitaanaam ca rakSasaam |
sambhramo rakshasaameSa hR^iShitaanaam tarasvinaam || 6-33-26
prabhaam visR^ijataam pashya naanaa varNaam samutthitaam |
vanam nirdahato dharme yathaa ruupam vibhaavasoH || 6-33-27
ratha vaaji gajaanaam ca bhuuSitaanaam ca rakSasaam |
sambhramo rakshasaameSa hR^iShitaanaam tarasvinaam || 6-33-26
prabhaam visR^ijataam pashya naanaa varNaam samutthitaam |
vanam nirdahato dharme yathaa ruupam vibhaavasoH || 6-33-27
25, 26, 27. pashya= see; sambhramaH= hurriedly; eshhaH= this; prasannaanaam= sheen of polished; shastraaNaam= weapons; charmaNaam= shields; tathaa=and; varmaNaam= coats of mail; visR^ijataam= sending forth; prabhaam= luster; naanaavarNasamutthitaam= of many hues; ruupam yathaa= like the splendor; vibhaavasoH= of fire; nirdahataH= consuming; vanam= a forest; gharme= in summer; rathavaajigajaanaamcha= (here is seen) the flurry of chariots; horses and elephants; raakshhasendraanuyaayinaam= following the lead of Ravana; and; tarasvinaam= of energetic; raakshhasaam= demons; hR^ishhitaanaam= thrilled with joy.
“See hurriedly, this sheen of polished weapons, shields and coats of mail sending forth luster of many hues like the splendor of fire consuming a forest in summer. Here is seen the flurry of chariots, horses and elephants following the lead of Ravana as well as of energetic demons thrilled with joy.”
ghaNTaanaam shR^iNu nirghoSam rathaanaam shR^iNu nisvanam |
hayaanaam heSamaaNaanaam shR^iNu tuurya dhvanim yathaa || 6-33-28
udyata aayudha hastaanaam raakSasa indra anuyaayinaam |
sambhramo rakSasaam eSa tumulo loma harSaNaH || 6-33-29
hayaanaam heSamaaNaanaam shR^iNu tuurya dhvanim yathaa || 6-33-28
udyata aayudha hastaanaam raakSasa indra anuyaayinaam |
sambhramo rakSasaam eSa tumulo loma harSaNaH || 6-33-29
28, 29. shruNu= hear; nirghoshham= the sound; ghaNTaanaam= of bells (of elephants); shruNu= hear; niHsvanam= the rattling; rathaanaam= of chariots; shruNu= hear; hayaanaam= of horses; hreshhamaaNaanaam= neighing; tuuryadhvanim yathaa= resembling the flourish of trumpets; eshhaH= here is; tumulaH= the bustle; rakshhasaam= of demons; udyataayudha hastaanaam= carrying uplifted weapons in their hands; raakshhasendra anuyaayinaam= following the lead of Ravana; sambhramaH= the bustling activity ; romaharshhaNaH= is causing hair to stand on end.
“Hear the sound of bells of elephants. Hear the ratting of chariots. Hear the cry of neighing horses, resembling the flourish of trumpets. Here is the bustle of demons, carrying uplifted weapons in their hands; following the lead of Ravana. This bustling activity is causing hair to stand erect through terror.”
shriis tvaam bhajati shokaghnii rakSasaam bhayam aagatam |
raamaat kamala patra akSi daityaanaam iva vaasavaat || 6-33-30
avajitya jita krodhas tam acintya paraakramaH |
raavaNam samare hatvaa bhartaa tvaa adhigamiSyati || 6-33-31
raamaat kamala patra akSi daityaanaam iva vaasavaat || 6-33-30
avajitya jita krodhas tam acintya paraakramaH |
raavaNam samare hatvaa bhartaa tvaa adhigamiSyati || 6-33-31
30, 31. shriiH= a good fortune; shokaghnii= which will bring sorrow to an end; bhajati= will adore; tvaam= you; bhayam= a fear ; aagatam= has come; raakshhasaam= for demons; raamaH= Rama; bhartaa= your husband; kamala patraakshhaH= the lotus eyed; avajitya= winnable by mastery; vaasavaH iva= like Indra the god of celestials; jitakrodhaH= who has overcome his anger; achintya paraakramaH= having unimaginable strength; hatvaa= having killed; tam= that; raavaNam= RavaNa; samare= in battle; adhigamishhyati= will acquire; tvaa= you.
“A good fortune, which will bring your sorrow to an end, awaits you. A peril has arrived for demons. The lotus eyed Rama, your husband, who has overcome his anger but having an unimaginable strength will kill Ravana in battle and win you back”
vikramiSyati rakSahsu bhartaa te saha lakSmaNaH |
yathaa shatruSu shatrughno viSNunaa saha vaasavaH || 6-33-32
yathaa shatruSu shatrughno viSNunaa saha vaasavaH || 6-33-32
32. tebhartaa= your consort; sahalakshhmanaNaH= along with Lakshmana, vikramishhyati= will show his strength; rakshhassu= over the demons; yathaa vaasavaH= like Indra the god of celestials; vishhNunaa saha= along with Vishnu, the lord of preservation; shatrughnaH= who annihilates the enemies; (showing his strength over); shatrushhu= the adversaries.
“Your consort along with Lakshmana will show his valor against the demons, like Indra the lord of celestials along with Vishnu the lord of preservation, the annihilator of enemies exhibited his strength over his adversaries.”
aagatasya hi raamasya kSipram anka gataam satiim |
aham drakSyaami siddha arthaam tvaam shatrau vinipaatite || 6-33-33
aham drakSyaami siddha arthaam tvaam shatrau vinipaatite || 6-33-33
33. kshhipram= very soon; aham= I; drakshhyaami= shall see; tvaam=you; aN^kaagataam satiim= mounted on the lap; tasya= of Rama; aagatasya= (really) arrived; siddhaarthaam= your object of his coming being fulfilled; shatrou= and the enemy; vinipaatite= fallen.
“Very soon, I shall see you, mounted on the lap of Rama who actually arrived, your object of his coming being fulfilled and the enemy fallen.”
ashruuNy aanandajaani tvam vartayiSyasi shobhane |
samaagamya pariSvaktaa tasya urasi mahaa urasaH || 6-33-34
samaagamya pariSvaktaa tasya urasi mahaa urasaH || 6-33-34
34. jaanakii= O, Seetha! Vartayishhyasi= you will roll on; asraaNi= tears; aanandajaani= born out of joy; urasi= on the bosom; tasya= of that Rama; mahorasaH= the broad chested; samaagamya= reunited with you; parishhvaktaa= holding you clasped to his breast.
“O, Seetha! You will shed tears of joy on the bosom of that broad-chested Rama, re- united with you and holding you clasped to his breast.”
aciraan mokSyate siite devi te jaghanam gataam |
dhR^itaam etaam bahuun maasaan veNiim raamo mahaa balaH || 6-33-35
dhR^itaam etaam bahuun maasaan veNiim raamo mahaa balaH || 6-33-35
35. achiraan= before long; devi= O, divine; siite= Seetha! MahaabalaH= that mighty; raamaH= Rama; mokshhyate= will loosen; ekaam= veNiim= the single plait; gataam= which has reached past; te jaghanam = your hips; dhR^itaam= which you have worn; bahuun= these many; maasaan= months.
“Before long, O divine Seetha, that mighty Rama will loosen the one single plait which has reached past your hips, which you have worn these many months.”
tasya dR^iSTvaa mukham devi puurNa candram iva uditam |
mokSyase shokajam vaari nirmokam iva pannagii || 6-33-36
mokSyase shokajam vaari nirmokam iva pannagii || 6-33-36
36. devii= O, queen! DR^ishhTvaa= seeing; tasya= his; mukham= face; uditam puurNachandram iva= looking like a rising full moon; mokshhyase= you will renounce; vaari= your tears; shokajam= born of grief; pannagii iva= like a female snake; nirmokam= (casts off) its slough.
“O, Queen! Seeing his face, looking like a rising moon, you will renounce your tears born of grief, like a female snake casts off its slough.”
raavaNam samare hatvaa naciraad eva maithili |
tvayaa samagram priyayaa sukha arho lapsyate sukham || 6-33-37
tvayaa samagram priyayaa sukha arho lapsyate sukham || 6-33-37
37. maithili= O, Seetha! hatvaa= having killed; raavanaam= Ravana; samare= in combat; nachiraadeva= within no time; sukhaarhaH= Rama, who deserves felicity); lapsyate= will enjoy happiness; samagraH= in the company; priyaayaa= of his beloved; tvayaa= namely yourself.
“O, Seetha! Having killed Ravana in combat within no time, Rama (who deserves facility); will enjoy happiness in the company of the beloved, namely yourself.”
samaagataa tvam raameNa modiSyasi mahaatmanaa |
suvarSeNa samaayuktaa yathaa sasyena medinii || 6-33-38
suvarSeNa samaayuktaa yathaa sasyena medinii || 6-33-38
38. sabhaajitaa= acclaimed; mahaatmenaa= by the high soled; raameNa= Rama; tvam= you; modishhyasi= will be delighted; medinii yathaa= as the earth; sasyena samaayukta= endowed with crops; suvarshheNa= after the onset of good rains.
Acclaimed by the high soled Rama, you will be so happy as how the earth, endowed with crops, feels after the onset of good rains.”
giri varam abhito anuvartamaano |
haya iva maNDalam aashu yaH karoti |
tam iha sharaNam abhyupehi devi
divasa karam prabhavo hyayam prajaanaam 6-33-39
haya iva maNDalam aashu yaH karoti |
tam iha sharaNam abhyupehi devi
divasa karam prabhavo hyayam prajaanaam 6-33-39
39. devi= O, qeen! abhyupaiH= seek; sharaNam= refuge; iha= now; tam= with him; divasakaram= (that) sun; yaH= which; vivartamaanaH= rolls; girivaram abhitaH= towards Meru, the highest mountain; hayaH iva= like a horse; karoti= which makes; maN^Dalam= a round; aashu= rapidly; ayam= he; prabhavaH hi= is indeed the source; prajaanaam= of all creatures.
“O, queen! Seek refuge now with him - the sun that rolls towards Meru the highest mountain, like a horse that makes its round rapidly. That sun is indeed the source of all creatures.”
ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe trayastriMshaH sargaH
Thus completes 33rd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
Chapter [Sarga] 34
Seetha asks Sarama to go secretly to Ravana and get to know what he is doing as well as report to her back about Ravana’s decision about the matter of releasing her or continuing to keep her captive. Sarama secretly hears the conversation of Ravana with his ministers and reports to Seetha that Ravana is not inclined to set her free. Sarama consoles Seetha, saying that Rama with his sharp arrows will kill Ravana and take her back to Ayodhya.atha taam jaata samtaapaam tena vaakyena moditaam |
saramaa hlaadayaam aasa mahiiM dagdhaamivaambhasaa || 6-34-1
saramaa hlaadayaam aasa mahiiM dagdhaamivaambhasaa || 6-34-1
1. atha=then; taam= to that Seetha; jaataa samtaapam= who was overwhelmed with anguish;moditaam= was made delighted;tena vaakyena= by those words;saramaa= Sarama; samaahlaadayaamaasa= conferred delight;ambhasaa iva= like by rain;dagdhaam= the parched; mahiim= earth.
Seetha, who was overwhelmed with anguish on hearing Ravana’s words, was comforted and rendered happy by Sarama, as parched earth is solaced by rain.
tatas tasyaa hitam sakhyaash cikiirSantii sakhii vacaH |
uvaaca kaale kaalajnaa smita puurva abhibhaaSiNii || 6-34-2
uvaaca kaale kaalajnaa smita puurva abhibhaaSiNii || 6-34-2
2. tataH= there after; chikiirshhanti= wishing to be; hitam(of further) service; tasyaaH= to that Seetha; sakhyaaH= her friend; sakhii= the affectionate Sarama; kaalajNaa= skilled in the knowledge of time; smita puurva bhaashhiNii= who smiled before talking; uvaacha= spoke; vachaH= (the following ) words; kaale= at the proper time.
Desiring to be of further service to her friend Seetha, the affectionate Sarama, skilled in the knowledge of time, smiling while talking, spoke the following words at that appropriate time.
utsaheyam aham gatvaa tvad vaakyam asita iikSaNe |
nivedya kushalam raame praticchannaa nivartitum || 6-34-3
nivedya kushalam raame praticchannaa nivartitum || 6-34-3
3. asitekshhaNe= O, black eyed lady!; aham utsaheyam= I am able; nivedya= to carry a message; kushalam= of good will; tvadvaakyam= and your words; raame= to Rama; gatvaa= by going to him; pratichchhannaa= secretly; nivartitum= and to return.
“O, black eyed lady! I am capable of carrying a message of your words and good will to Rama and to return secretly.”
na hi me kramamaaNaayaa niraalambe vihaayasi |
samartho gatim anvetum pavano garuDo api vaa || 6-34-4
samartho gatim anvetum pavano garuDo api vaa || 6-34-4
4. kramamaaNaayaaH= when I am journeying; vihaayasi= in the sky; niraalambe= self-supported; pavanaH= the god of wind; garuDo api vaa= or even Garuda the eagle; na samarthaH = is not capable; anvetum= to follow; me= my; gatim= movement
“When I am journeying in the sky self -supported, neither the god of wind nor Garuda the eagle can follow my movement.”
evam bruvaaNaam taam siitaa saramaam punar abraviit |
madhuram shlakSNayaa vaacaa puurva shoka abhipannayaa || 6-34-5
madhuram shlakSNayaa vaacaa puurva shoka abhipannayaa || 6-34-5
5. taam saramaam= to Sarama; bruvaaNaam= who was speaking; evam= as aforesaid; siitaa= Seetha; vaachaa= her voice; puurvashokaabhi pannayaa= no longer charged with grief; abraviit= replied; idam= in these words; shlakshhNayaa= gently; madhuram= and sweetly (as follows):
To Sarama, who was speaking as aforesaid, Seetha her voice no longer charged with grief, gently and sweetly replied in the following words:
samarthaa gaganam gantum api vaa tvam rasaa talam |
avagacchaamy akartavyam kartavyam te mad antare || 6-34-6
avagacchaamy akartavyam kartavyam te mad antare || 6-34-6
6. tvam= you; samarthaa= are able; gantum= to go; gaganam= to heaven; apicha= and ; rasaatalam= to the penultimate subterranean region; avagachchha= know (from me); adya= today; kartavyam= duty; kartavyam= that has got to be performed; te= by you; medantare= for my sake.
“You are capable of going to heaven or to the penultimate subterranean region. Know from me today the duty that has got to be performed by you for my sake.”
mat priyam yadi kartavyam yadi buddhiH sthiraa tava |
jnaatum icchaami tam gatvaa kim karoti iti raavaNaH || 6-34-7
jnaatum icchaami tam gatvaa kim karoti iti raavaNaH || 6-34-7
7. yadi= If; tava= your; buddhiH= intention; kartavyam= is to act; matpriyam= kindly towards me; tava= and your resolve; sthiraa yadi= is fixed; ichchhaami= I wish(you); gattvaa= to go; jN^aatum= and to know; kim= what; raavaNaH= Ravana; karotiiti= is doing.
“If your intention is to act kindly towards me and your resolve is firm , I wish you to go and know what Ravana is doing now.”
sa hi maayaa balaH kruuro raavaNaH shatru raavaNaH |
maam mohayati duSTa aatmaa piita maatraa iva vaaruNii || 6-34-8
maam mohayati duSTa aatmaa piita maatraa iva vaaruNii || 6-34-8
8. saH= raavaNaH= that Ravana; maayaabalaH = equipped with strength in the shape of conjuring tricks; shatru raavaNaH= who makes his enemies cry; kruuraH= is cruel; dushhTaatmaa= and evil minded; mohayati= has bemused; maam= me; vaaruNiiva= as spirituous liquor(bemuses one); piita maatraa= the moment it is imbibed.
“That cruel and evil minded Ravana, equipped with strength in the shape of conjuring tricks, who makes his enemies cry has bemused me, as spirituous liquor bemuses one, the moment it is imbibed.”
tarjaapayati maam nityam bhartsaapayati ca asakrt |
raakSasiibhiH sughoraabhir yaa maam rakSanti nityashaH || 6-34-9
raakSasiibhiH sughoraabhir yaa maam rakSanti nityashaH || 6-34-9
9. bhartsaapayati= he causes me to be threatened by words; nityam= all the time; sughoraabhiH=by the most frightful; raakshhasiibhiH=ogresses; yaaH= who; nityashaH= always; rakshhanti= surround me; tarjaapayati= insult me by their acts; asakR^it=repeatedly.
“He causes me to be threatened by words all the time by the most frightful ogresses, who always surround me and insult me by their act repeatedly.”
udvignaa shankitaa ca asmi na ca svastham mano mama |
tad bhayaac ca aham udvignaa;ashoka vanikaam gataaH || 6-34-10
tad bhayaac ca aham udvignaa;ashoka vanikaam gataaH || 6-34-10
10. aham= I; asmi= am; udvignaa= depressed in mind; shaN^kitaacha= and distrustful; mama= My; manaH= mind; na svastham= is not in its natural state; gataa= being in; ashoka vanakaam= Ashoka grove; aham= I; udvignaa= am distressed ; tadbhayaat= because of his fear.
“I am depressed in mind and distrustful. My mind is not in its natural state. Staying in Ashoka grove, I am distressed because of his fear.”
yadi naama kathaa tasya nishcitam vaa api yad bhavet |
nivedayethaaH sarvam tat paro me syaad anugrahaH ||6-34-11
nivedayethaaH sarvam tat paro me syaad anugrahaH ||6-34-11
11. nivedayathaaH= if you inform; tat sarvam= all that; yat= which; bhavet= becomes; nishchitam vaapi= decision; (or) tasya= his; kathaa= talk; yadinaama= if ever; tat= it; syaat= will be; paraH =a great; anugrahaH= service; me= to me.
“Report to me, all that is decided by him during his talk going on with his ministers about the matter of releasing me or keeping me captive. It will be of great service to me.”
saapyevam bruvatiim siitaam saramaa valgu bhaaSiNii |
uvaaca vacanam tasyaaH spR^ishantii baaSpa viklavam || 6-34-12
uvaaca vacanam tasyaaH spR^ishantii baaSpa viklavam || 6-34-12
12. saa= that; saramaapi= Sarama also; mR^idu bhaashiNii= who speaks kindly words; spR^ishantii= touching (wiping); tasyaaH= her; vadanam= face; bashhpaviklabam= which got moist with tears; uvaacha= replied; siitaam= to Seetha; bruuvatiim= who was speaking; evam= as aforesaid:
The soft spoken Sarama, wiping her face, which got moist with tears, replied as follows to Seetha who was speaking as aforesaid:
eSa te yady abhipraayas tasmaad gacchaami jaanaki |
gR^ihya shatror abhipraayam upaavrttaam ca pashya maam || 6-34-13
gR^ihya shatror abhipraayam upaavrttaam ca pashya maam || 6-34-13
13. yadi= if; te= your; abhipraayah= opinion; eshhaH= is this; gachchhaami= I shall go; tasmaat= on that account; jaanaki= O, Seetha !; gR^ihya= having grasped; abhipraayam= the feeling; shatroH= of the enemies; upaavartaami= I shall return; maithili= O, Seetha!
“If your opinion is like this, I shall go on that account, O, Seetha! Having grasped the feeling of the enemies, I shall return O, Seetha!”
evam uktvaa tato gatvaa samiipam tasya rakSasaH |
shushraava kathitam tasya raavaNasya samantriNaH || 6-34-14
shushraava kathitam tasya raavaNasya samantriNaH || 6-34-14
14. uktvaa= speaking; evam= thus; gatvaa= (she); went; tataH= thereafter; samiipam= to the vicinity; tasya rakshhasaH= of that demon; shushraava= and heard; kathitam= the conversation; tasya= of that; raavaNasya= Ravana; samantriNaH= who was with his ministers.
Speaking thus, Surama thereafter went to the vicinity of that demon and heard the conversation of Ravana who was with his ministers.
saa shrutvaa nishcayam tasya nishcayajnaa duraatmanaH |
punar eva agamat kSipram ashoka vanikaam tadaa || 6-34-15
punar eva agamat kSipram ashoka vanikaam tadaa || 6-34-15
15. saa= she; nishchayajNaa= who knew how to investigate; shrutvaa= having heard; duraatmanaH= the wicked; tasya= Ravana’s; nishchayam= resolve; kshhipram= soon; aagamat= came; punareva= again; shubhaam= to the beautiful; ashokavanikaam= Ashoka grove.
Sarama, who knew how to investigate could hear the wicked Ravana’s resolve and soon returned to Ashoka grove.
saa praviSTaa punas tatra dadarsha janaka aatmajaam |
pratiikSamaaNaam svaam eva bhraSTa padmaam iva shriyam || 6-34-16
pratiikSamaaNaam svaam eva bhraSTa padmaam iva shriyam || 6-34-16
16. saa= she; pravishhTaa= who entered; tatra= there; dadarsha=saw; tataH= then; janakaatmajam= Seetha; shriyam iva= who looked like Lakshmi ,the goddess of prosperity; bhrashhTa padmaam= bereft of the lotus; pratiikshhamaaNaam= who was waiting; svaameva= for her alone.
Sarama, who entered the Ashoka grove, saw Seetha who looked like Lakshmi the goddess of prosperity (and the wife of Vishnu); bereft of the lotus and waiting for her only.
taam tu siitaa punaH praaptaam saramaam valgu bhaaSiNiim |
pariSvajya ca susnigdham dadau ca svayam aasanam || 6-34-17
pariSvajya ca susnigdham dadau ca svayam aasanam || 6-34-17
17. siitaa= Seetha; susnigdham= affectionately; parishhvajya= embraced; priyabhaashhiNiim= the kindly speaking; saramaam= Sarama; punaH praaptaam= who returned ; dadou= and offered; svayam= personally; aasanam= a seat(to her).
Seetha affectionately embraced the kindly speaking Surama who returned there and offered personally a seat to her.
iha aasiinaa sukham sarvam aakhyaahi mama tattvataH |
kruurasya nishcayam tasya raavaNasya duraatmanaH || 6-34-18
kruurasya nishcayam tasya raavaNasya duraatmanaH || 6-34-18
18. aasiinaa= sitting; iha= here; sukham= comfortably; aakhyaahi= tell; mama= me; tattvataH= really; sarvam= about all; nishchayam= the design; tasya raavaNasya= of that Ravana; kruurasya= the cruel; duraatmanaH= and the wicked demon.
“Sitting here comfortably, tell me about the real design of that cruel and wicked Ravana”
evam uktaa tu saramaa siitayaa vepamaanayaa |
kathitam sarvam aacaSta raavaNasya samantriNaH || 6-34-19
kathitam sarvam aacaSta raavaNasya samantriNaH || 6-34-19
19. saramaa= (while) Sarama;uktaa= was enquired; evam= thus; siitasya= by Seetha; vepamaanayaa= tremblingwith fear; aachashTa= narrated; sarvam= all; kathitam= the conversation; raavaNasya= of Ravana; samantriNaH= together with his ministers.
When Seetha trembling with fear enquired thus, Sarama narrated all the conversation of Ravana together with his ministers.
jananyaa raakSasa indro vai tvan mokSa artham bR^ihad vacaH |
aviddhena ca vaidehi mantri vR^iddhena bodhitaH || 6-34-20
aviddhena ca vaidehi mantri vR^iddhena bodhitaH || 6-34-20
20. vaidehi= O,Seetha!; jananyaa= by the mother; raakshhasendraH= of Ravana; aviddhena= and by Aviddha; mantri vR^iddhena= his aged minister; bR^ihat= excellent; vachaH= words; uditaH= were spoken; tvanmokshhaartham= with the aim of your release.
“Excellent words were spoken by Kaikasi, the mother of Ravana as well as Aviddha the aged minister asking for your release, O Seetha!”
diiyataam abhisatkrtya manuja indraaya maithilii |
nidarshanam te paryaaptam jana sthaane yad adbhutam || 6-34-21
nidarshanam te paryaaptam jana sthaane yad adbhutam || 6-34-21
21. maithilii= (let) Seetha; diiyataam= be restored; abhisatkR^itya= honorably; manujendraaya= to Rama the lord of men; adbhutam= the wonderful thing; yat= which; (happened) janasthaane= in Janasthana; paryaaptam= is an enough; midarsham= eye opener; te= to you.
“Let Seetha, be restored honorably to Rama the Lord of men. That wonderful** thing happened in Janasthana is an enough eye- opener to you.”
** Rama exterminated fourteen thousand demons led by such great warriors as Khara and Dushana at Janastana.
langhanam ca samudrasya darshanam ca hanuumataH |
vadham ca rakSasaam yuddhe kaH kuryaan maanuSo bhuvi || 6-34-22
vadham ca rakSasaam yuddhe kaH kuryaan maanuSo bhuvi || 6-34-22
22. kaH= what; maanushhaH= mortal; kuryaat=could accomplish; laN^ghanam= the crossing; samudrasya= of the ocean; hanuumataH= by Hanuman; vadhamcha= and the carnage; rakshhasaam= of the demons; yuddhe= in combat; bhuvi= on the earth?
“Which mortal would accomplish the crossing of the ocean, the discovery of Seetha by Hanuman, and the carnage of the demons in combat on this earth?”
evam sa mantri vR^iddhaishca maatraa ca bahu bhaaSitaH |
na tvaam utsahate moktum artahm artha paro yathaa || 6-34-23
na tvaam utsahate moktum artahm artha paro yathaa || 6-34-23
23. bodhitaH= though admonished; bahu= in many ways; evam= thus; mantrivR^iddhaishcha= by the aged ministers; maatraacha= and by his mother; saH= he; na utsahate= does not want; moktum= to release; tvaam= you; arthamiva= as with riches; arthaparaH= by a miser.
“Though admonished in many ways by the aged ministers and his mother he is not inclined to set you free, any more than a miser would leave his hold on his riches.
na utsahaty amrto moktum yuddhe tvaam iti maithili |
saamaatyasya nR^ishamsasya nishcayo hy eSa vartate || 6-34-24
saamaatyasya nR^ishamsasya nishcayo hy eSa vartate || 6-34-24
24. maithili= O,Seetha!; notsahati= he does not want; moktum= to release; tvaam= you; amR^itaH= without dying; yuddho= in battle; iti= in this manner; eshhaH= this; vartate= is; nishchayaH= the resolve; nR^ishamsasya= of the cruel Ravana; saamaatyasya= along with his ministers.
"O, Seetha! He does not want to release you, without dying himself in a battle. This is the resolve of the cruel Ravana along with his ministers."
tad eSaa susthiraa buddhirmR^ityu lobhaad upasthitaa |
bhayaan na shaktas tvaam moktum anirastas tu samyuge || 6-34-25
raakSasaanaam ca sarveSaam aatmanash ca vadhena hi |
bhayaan na shaktas tvaam moktum anirastas tu samyuge || 6-34-25
raakSasaanaam ca sarveSaam aatmanash ca vadhena hi |
25. -"Thereafter, due to infatuation caused by his impending death, his aforesaid determination is very firm .He is not in a position to release you, not through sheer fear, but until he is actually defeated in battle through the carnage of all the demons and of himself."
-"Thereafter, due to infatuation caused by his impending death, his aforesaid determination is very firm .He is not in a position to release you, not through sheer fear, but until he is actually defeated in battle through the carnage of all the demons and of himself."
nihatya raavaNam samkhye sarvathaa nishitaiH sharaiH || 6-34-26
pratineSyati raamas tvaam ayodhyaam asita iikSaNe |
pratineSyati raamas tvaam ayodhyaam asita iikSaNe |
26. asitekshhaNe= O, dark eyed Seetha!; nihatya= killing; raavaNam= Ravana; nishitaiH= by his sharp; sharaiH= arrows; samkhye= in combat; raamaH= Rama; tvaam prati neshhyati= will take you back; ayodhyaam= to Ayodhya; sarvathaa=by all means.
"O, dark eyed Seetha! Killing Ravana by his sharp arrows in combat, Rama will take you back to Ayodhya by all means."
etasminn antare shabdo bherii shankha samaakulaH || 6-34-27
shruto vai sarva sainyaanaam kampayan dharaNii talam |
shruto vai sarva sainyaanaam kampayan dharaNii talam |
27. In the meantime was heard the sound of all the monkey troops blended with the sound of kettle drums, causing earth to shake. w.w.m-etasmin antare= in the mean time; shrutovai= was heard; shabdoH= the sound; sarva sainyaanaam= of all the monkey troops; bheriishabda samaakulaH= blended with the sound of kettle drums; dharaNiitalam= causing earth; kampayam= to shake.
In the meantime was heard the sound of all the monkey troops blended with the sound of kettle drums, causing earth to shake.
shrutvaa tu tam vaanara sainya shabdam |
lankaa gataa raakSasa raaja bhrtyaaH |
naSTa ojaso dainya pariita ceSTaaH |
shreyo na pashyanti nrpasya doSaiH || 6-34-28
lankaa gataa raakSasa raaja bhrtyaaH |
naSTa ojaso dainya pariita ceSTaaH |
shreyo na pashyanti nrpasya doSaiH || 6-34-28
28. Hearing that sound of that monkey troops, the servants of Ravana stationed in Lanka were lack- luster with their movements, overcome by depression. They did not see anything salutary in it, owing to the fault of their king. w.m-shrutvaa= hearing; tvam= that; vaanara sainya naadam= sound of the monkey troops; raakshhasa raajabhR^ityaaH= the servants of Ravana; laN^kaagataaH= employed in Lanka; hatoujasaH= were bereft of luster; dainyapariitacheshhTaaH= with their movements overcome by depression; na pashyanti= they did not see; shreyaH= anything salutary; doshhaat= owing to the fault; nR^ipashya= of their king.
Hearing that sound of that monkey troops, the servants of Ravana stationed in Lanka were lack- luster with their movements, overcome by depression. They did not see anything salutary in it, owing to the fault of their king.
ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe chatustrimshaH sargaH
Thus completes 34th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
Chapter [Sarga] 35
Introduction
With the sound of kettle drums and couches, Rama arrives to Lanka with his army. Ravana hears those sounds and calls his ministers to chalk out his further course of action. Malyavan, Ravana's maternal grandfather advises Ravana to conclude peace with Rama and restore Seetha to him as he is perceiving adverse omens.tena shankha vimishreNa bherii shabdena raaghavaH |
upayato mahaa baahuu raamah para puram jayaH || 6-35-1
upayato mahaa baahuu raamah para puram jayaH || 6-35-1
1. raamaH= Rama; mahaa baahuH= the mighty-armed; parapuranjayaH= conqueror of oppnents cities; upayaati= was sallied forth; tena= there; naadinaa= with a resonant; bheriishabdena= roll of kattle drums; shaN^kha vimishreNa= mingled with the blast of couches.
The mighty armed Rama, the conqueror of hostile cities sallied forth with the resonant roll of kettle drums, mingled with the blast of couches.
tam ninaadam nishamya atha raavaNo raakSasa iishvaraH |
muhuurtam dhyaanam aasthaaya sacivaan abhyudaikSata ||6-35-2
muhuurtam dhyaanam aasthaaya sacivaan abhyudaikSata ||6-35-2
2. nishamya= hearing; atha= thereafter; tam= that; ninaadam= sound; raavaNaH= Ravana; raakSaseshvaraH= the lord of demons; aasthaaya= resorting to dhyaanam= meditation; muhuurtam= for a moment; abhyudaikSata= looked towards; sachivaan= his ministers.
Hearing that sound, Ravana the Lord of demons, paused for a moment to reflect and looked towards his ministers.
atha taan sacivaams tatra sarvaan aabhaaSya raavaNaH |
sabhaam samnaadayan sarvaam ity uvaaca mahaa balaH || 6-35-3
jagatpamtaapanaH kruurogarhayan raakshaseshvaraH |
sabhaam samnaadayan sarvaam ity uvaaca mahaa balaH || 6-35-3
jagatpamtaapanaH kruurogarhayan raakshaseshvaraH |
3. atha= then; raavaNaH= Ravan; mahaabalaH= of great strength; jagat samtaapanaH= the tormentor of the world; kruuraH= a cruel demon; raakSaseshvaraH= and the lord of demons; tatra= these; aabhaaSya= addressed; sarvaam= the entire; sabhaam= hall; uvaacha= spoke; iti= as follows; agarhayan= accusing none.
Ravana of great strength the tormentor of the world, and a cruel lord of demons then addressed all his ministers in a voice that resounded the entire hall as follows, accusing none.
taraNam saagarasya api vikramam bala samcayam || 6-35-4
yad uktavanto raamasya bhavantas tan mayaa shrutam |
yad uktavanto raamasya bhavantas tan mayaa shrutam |
4. shrutam= It was heard; mayaa= by me; tat= that; yat= which; uktavantaH= was told; bhavantaH= by you; raamasya= of Rama's; taraNam= crossing; asya saagarasya= of this ocean; vikramam= his prowess; balapauruSam= strength and heroism.
"I have heard what you told me about Rama's crossing the ocean, his prowess, strength and heroism."
bhavatashcaapyaham vedmi yuddhe satyaparaakramaan || 6-35-5
tuuSNiikaaniikshatonyonyam viditvaam raamavikramam |
tuuSNiikaaniikshatonyonyam viditvaam raamavikramam |
5. aham= I; vedmi= know; satya paraakramaan= you are truly brave; yuddhe= in the field of battle; viditvaa= yet on being aware; raamavikramam= of that valour of Rama; bhavatashchaapi= you too; iikSataH= look; anyonyam= on each other; tuuSNiikaan= in silence.
"I know that you are truly brave in the battle-field, yet, on beholding that valiant Rama, you too look on each other in silence."
tatas tu sumahaa praajno maalyavaan naama raakSasaH || 6-35-6
raavaNasya vacaH shrutvaa maatuH paitaamaho abraviit |
raavaNasya vacaH shrutvaa maatuH paitaamaho abraviit |
6. shrutvaa= hearing; vachaH= the words; raavaNasya= of Ravana; raakSasaH= a demon; maalyavaan naama= called Malyavan; maataamahaH= his maternal grandfather; sumahaapraajJNaH= the highly intelligent; tataH= then; abraviit= answered; iti= as follows:
Hearing those word of Ravana whose maternal grandfather he was, the highly intelligent demon called Malyavan, answered him thus:
vidyaasvabhiviniito yo raajaa raajan naya anugaH || 6-35-7
sa shaasti ciram aishvaryam ariimshca kurute vashe |
sa shaasti ciram aishvaryam ariimshca kurute vashe |
7. raajam= O, king! saH= He; yaH= who; abhiviniitaH= is well trained; vidyaasu= in (fourteen) sciences; nayaanugaH= and follows the path prudence; shaasti= enjoys; aishvaryam= sovereignty; chiram= for a long time; kurute= compels; ariimshcha= his enemies too; vashe= into sbujugation.
"O, king! He who is well-versed in (fourteen)* sciences and follows the path of prudence, enjoys sovereignty for a long time and compels his enemies too into subjugation."
Four Vedas, six Vedaangas, the Puranas, the Mimamsa, Nyaya and Dharma together constitute fourteen sciences.
samdadhaano hi kaalena vigR^ihNamsH caaribhiH saha || 6-35-8
sva pakSa vardhanam kurvan mahad aishvaryam ashnute ||
sva pakSa vardhanam kurvan mahad aishvaryam ashnute ||
8. (He who); samdadhaanaH= his indded concludes peace; aribhiH saha= even with enemies; vigR^ihNancha= or wages war; kaalena= at a fitting tiem; kurvan vardhanam= strengthens svapakSe= his own party; ashnute= and attains; mahat= a great; aishvaryam= power.
"He who concludes peace even with enemies or wages war at a fitting time strengthens his own party and attains a great power."
hiiyamaanena kartavyo raajnaa samdhiH samena ca || 6-35-9
na shatrum avamanyeta jyaayaan kurviita vigraham |
na shatrum avamanyeta jyaayaan kurviita vigraham |
9. samdhiH= A treaty of peace; kartavyaH= should be reached; raajN^aaH= by a king; hiiyamaanena= who is weaker; samena cha= or equal; na avamanyeta= He should not under rate; shatrum= that enemy; jyaayaan= (A king who is) stronger; kurrviita= should make; vigraham= war.
"A treaty of peace should be reached by a king who is weaker or equal to an enemy. The king should never underrate that enemy. If the king is more powerful, he should make war on the enemy."
tanmahyam rocate samdhiH saha raameNa raavaNa || 6-35-10
yad artham abhiyuktaaH sma siitaa tasmai pradiiyataam |
yad artham abhiyuktaaH sma siitaa tasmai pradiiyataam |
10. raavaNa= O, Ravana!; tat= for that reason; samdhiH= alliance; raameNa saha= with Rama; rochate= finds favour; mahyam= with me; siitaa= (let) Seetha; yadartham= for whose sake; abhiyuktaH asi= you have been attacked by him; pradiiyataam= be restored; tasmai= to him.
"O, Ravana! For that reason, alliance with Rama finds favour with me. Let Seetha, for whose sake you are being attacked, be restored to him."
tasya deva R^iSayaH sarve gandharvaasH ca jaya eSiNaH || 6-35-11
virodham maa gamas tena samdhis te tena rocataam |
virodham maa gamas tena samdhis te tena rocataam |
11. sarve= all; devarSayaH= the celestials, sages; gandharvaashcha= and Gandharvas the celestial musicians; jayaiSiNaH= wish for victory; tasya= of that Rama; maagamaH- do not get; virodham- enmity; tena= with them; samdhiH= (Let) alliance; tena= with him; rochataam= be agreable; te= to you.
"All the celestials, sages and Gandharvas the celestial musicians are wishing for victory of Rama. Do not get an enmity with them. Let alliance with him be acceptable to you."
asR^ijad bhagavaan pakSau dvaav eva hi pitaamahaH || 6-35-12
suraaNaam asuraaNaam ca dharma adharmau tad aashrayau |
suraaNaam asuraaNaam ca dharma adharmau tad aashrayau |
12. pitaamahaH= Brahma; bhagavaan= the Lord (of creation); aasR^ijat= created; dvau eva= only two pakSau= classes of beings; suraaNaamcha= the celestials; asuraaNaamcha= and the demons; dharmaadharmau= righteousness and unrighteousness; tadaashrayau= take refuge in them respectively.
"Brahma, the lord of creation, created only two classes of beings, the celestials and the demons. Celestials take refuge in righteousness and demons in unrighteousness."
dharmo hi shruuyate pakSaH suraaNaam ca mahaatmanaam || 6-35-13
adharmo rakSasaam pakSohya asuraaNaam ca raavaNa |
adharmo rakSasaam pakSohya asuraaNaam ca raavaNa |
13. raakSasa= O, Ravana!; dharmaH= righteousness; shruuyate= is said to be; pakSaH= on the side; mahaatmaanaam= of the hight-souled; asuraaNaam= celestials; adharmaH hi= unrighteiousness is indeed; pakSaH= on the side; rakSasaam= of ogres; asuraaNaam cha= and demons.
"O, Ravana! Righteous is said to be on the side of the high-souled celestials. Unrighteousness is indeed on the side of ogres and demons."
dharmo vai grasate adharmam tataH kR^itam abhuud yugam || 6-35-14
adharmo grasate dharmam tatas tiSyaH pravartate |
adharmo grasate dharmam tatas tiSyaH pravartate |
14. yadaa= when; dharmaH= rightoeusness; grastae= swallows; adharmam- unrighteousness; abhuut= it becomes; kR^itam yugam= Kruta Yuga a golden age; adharmaH= (when) unrigheousness; grasate\ swallows; dharmam= righteousness; tadaa= then; pravartate= it stimulates; tiSyaH= Kali Yuga the fourth age.
"When righteousness swallows unrighteousness, it becomes kR^ita Yuga, a golden age. When unrighteousness swallows righteousness, it incites Kali Yuga the fourth age."
tat tvayaa carataa lokaan dharmo vinihato mahaan || 6-35-15
adharmaH pragR^ihiitasH ca tena asmad balinaH pare |
adharmaH pragR^ihiitasH ca tena asmad balinaH pare |
15. tat= therefore; charataa= who were wandering; lokaan= in the worlds; tvayaa= by you; mahaan= great; dharmo.api= righteousness even; nihataH= was destroyed; adharmaH= (and) unrighteousness; pragR^ihiitashcha= was favoured too; tena= for that reason; pare= the enemies; balinaH= are stronger; asmat= than us.
"Therefore, while you were wandering in the worlds, even the great righteousness was destroyed and unrighteousness favoured by you. So, the enemies are stronger than us."
sa pramaadaad vivR^iddhas te adharmo ahir grasate hi naH || 6-35-16
vivardhayati pakSam ca suraaNaam sura bhaavanaH |
vivardhayati pakSam ca suraaNaam sura bhaavanaH |
16. pramaadaat= due to negligence; te= of you; saH= that; pravR^iddhaH= well-grown; adharmaH= unrighteousness; grahate hi= is indded swallowing; naH= us; sura bhaavanaH= being favourable to demons; pakSam= the sect; suraaNaam= of demons; vivardhayati cha= is getting augmented.
"Due to your negligence, that well nourished unrighteousness is swallowing us. Being favourable to demons, the sect of demons is thereby getting augmented."
viSayeSu prasaktena yat kimcit kaariNaa tvayaa || 6-35-17
RSiiNaam agni kalpaanaam udvego janito mahaan |
RSiiNaam agni kalpaanaam udvego janito mahaan |
17. mahaan= A great; udvegaH= fear; janitaH= has been generated; R^iSiNaam= in the sages; agnikalpaanaam= having the nature of fire; prasaktena= who are interested; viSayeSu= in sensual enjoyments; yatkinchitkaariNaa= doing whatever you like.
"You, who are interested in sensual enjoyments, doing whatever you like, have created a great alarm in the sages, having the nature of fire."
teSaam prabhaavo durdharSaH pradiipta;iva paavakaH || 6-35-18
tapasaa bhaavita aatmaano dharmasya anugrahe rataaH |
mukhyair yajnair yajanty ete nityam tais tair dvijaatayaH || 6-35-19
juhvaty agniimsH ca vidhivad vedaamsH ca uccair adhiiyate |
abhibhuuya ca rakSaamsi brahma ghoSaan udairayan || 6-35-20
disho vipradrutaaH sarve stanayitnur iva uSNage |
tapasaa bhaavita aatmaano dharmasya anugrahe rataaH |
mukhyair yajnair yajanty ete nityam tais tair dvijaatayaH || 6-35-19
juhvaty agniimsH ca vidhivad vedaamsH ca uccair adhiiyate |
abhibhuuya ca rakSaamsi brahma ghoSaan udairayan || 6-35-20
disho vipradrutaaH sarve stanayitnur iva uSNage |
18, 19, 20. prabhaavah= the power; teSaam= of those sages; durdarSah= is insurmountable; pradiiptaH iva= like an igniting; paavakaH= fire; bhaavitaatmaanaH= their minds purified; tapasaa= by penance; rataaH= interested; anugrahe= in promotion; dharmasya= of righteousness; ete= these; dvijaayataH= Brahmanas; yat= for which reason; yajanti= they worship the gods; taistaiH= throught different; mukhyaiH= principal; yaN^aiH= sacrifices; juhvati= pour oblations; agniimshcha= into sacrificial fires; vidhivat= in due ceremonies; adhiiyate= and read; vedaan= the Vedas (sacred texts); uchchaiH= in a loud voice; abhibhuuya= and having subdued; rakSaamsi= the demons; udairayan= they continued to chant; brahmaghoSaan= the sacred texts; (on hearing which); sarve= all demons; vipradrutaaH= scattered; dishaH= in all directions; stanayitnuH= as thundering clouds; uSNage= in a hot season.nt; brahmaghoSaan= the sacred texts; (on hearing which); sarve= all demons; ipradrutaaH= scattered; dishaH= in all directions; stanayitnuH= as thundering clouds; uSNage= in a hot season.
"The power of those sages is insurmountable like an igniting fire. Having purified their minds through penance, they are intent on promotion of righteousness, in as much as these Brahamans worship the gods through different principal sacrifices, also pour oblations into the sacred fires with due ceremony and read the Vedas (Sacred texts) in a loud voice. Having subdued the demons, they continued to chant the sacred text, on hearing which all the demons scattered in all directions, as thundering clouds in a hot season."
R^iSiiNaam agni kalpaanaam agni hotra samutthitaH || 6-35-21
aadatte rakSasaam tejo dhuumo vyaapya disho dasha |
aadatte rakSasaam tejo dhuumo vyaapya disho dasha |
21. dhuumaH= The smoke; agnihotra samutthitaH= coming forth from the sacred fire; R^iSiiNaam= of the sages; agnikalpaanaam= who resemble the fire ( in brilliance); vyaapya= enveloping; dasha- the ten; dishaH= directions; aadatte= takes away; tejaH= the magical power; rakSasaam= of the demons.
"The smoke coming forth from the sacred fire of the sage who resemble the fire (in brilliance), enveloping the ten directions, takes away the magical power of the demons."
teSu teSu ca desheSu puNyeSu ca dR^iDha vrataiH || 6-35-22
caryamaaNam tapas tiivram samtaapayati raakSasaan |
caryamaaNam tapas tiivram samtaapayati raakSasaan |
22. tiivram= the severe; tapaH= austerity; charyamaaNaam= practised; puNyeSTyavadhR^ita vrataiH= by the sages, firm of resolve; teSu teSu= in different; desheSu= countries; samtaapayati= torment; raakSasaan= the demons.
"The severe austerity practised by the sages, firm of resolve, in different countries torment the demons."
devadaanavayakshebho gR^ihiitashcha varastvayaa || 6-35-23
manuSyaa vaanaraa R^ikshaa golaaN^guulaa mahaabalaaH |
balavanta ihaagamya garjanti dR^iDhavikramaaH ||6-35-24
manuSyaa vaanaraa R^ikshaa golaaN^guulaa mahaabalaaH |
balavanta ihaagamya garjanti dR^iDhavikramaaH ||6-35-24
23, 24. varaH= a boon, (of invincibility); gR^ihiitaH= was recived; tvayaa= by you; deva daanavayakSebhyaH= from celestials, demons and semi-divine beings; (but these are); manuSyaaH= men; R^ikSaaH= bears; golaaNguulaaaH= and monkeys; balavantaH= who are powerful; dR^iDha vikramaaH= having stron prowess; mahaabalaaH= and very efficacious; aagamya= are coming; iha= hither; garjanti= roaring like lions.
"You received a boon of invincibility from celestials, demons and semi-divine beings, but then are men, bears as well as powerful and very efficacious having strong prowess who are coming hither, roaring like lions."
utpaataan vividhaan dR^iSTvaa ghoraan bahu vidhaams tathaa |
vinaasham anupashyaami sarveSaam rakSasaam aham || 6-35-25
vinaasham anupashyaami sarveSaam rakSasaam aham || 6-35-25
25. dR^iSTvaa= by seeing, vividhaan= various kinds; utpaataan= of unexpected events (portents); tathaa= and; bahuvidhaan= many types; ghoraan= of terrible things; aham= I; anupashyaami= am perceiving; vinaasham= destruction; sarveSaam= of all; rakSasaam= the demons.
"By seeing various kinds of unexpected events (portents) and many types of terrific things, I am perceiving a destruction of all the demons."
kharaabhis tanitaa ghoraa meghaah pratibhayam karaH |
shoNitena abhivarSanti lankaam uSNena sarvataH || 6-35-26
shoNitena abhivarSanti lankaam uSNena sarvataH || 6-35-26
26. ghoraaH= terrific; pratibhayankaraaH= and monstrous; maghaaH= clouds; kharaabhistanitaaH= having harsh thundering sound; abhivarSanti= are raining; uSNena= hot; shoNitena= blood; sarvataH= throughtout; laN^kaan= Lanka.
"With terrifying clamour, monstrous clouds, inspiring horror, rain hot blood on Lanka on every side."
rudataam vaahanaanaam ca prapatanty asra bindavaH |
dhvajaa dhvastaa vivarNaasH ca na prabhaanti yathaa puram || 6-35-27
dhvajaa dhvastaa vivarNaasH ca na prabhaanti yathaa puram || 6-35-27
27. ashrubindavaH= drops of tears; prapatanti= fall; rudataam= from weeping; vaahanaanaam= elephnts, horses etc., vivarNaaH= which became discoloured; rajodhvastaaH= due to covering by dust; na prabhaanti= and are not shining; yathaapuram= as before.
"Drops of tears drop from the weeping elephants, horses etc., whose skins became discoloured, covered with dust and are not shining as before."
vyaalaa gomaayavo gR^ idhraa vaashanti ca subhairavam |
pravishya lankaam anisham samavaayaamsH ca kurvate || 6-35-28
pravishya lankaam anisham samavaayaamsH ca kurvate || 6-35-28
28. vyaalaaH= flesh-eating animals; gomaayavaH= jackals; gR^idhraaH= eagles; vaashyanti= are howling; subhairavam= horribly; pravishya= and entering; laN^kaam= Lanka; kurvate= they are forming; samavaayaan cha= into groups; aaraame= in groves.
"Flesh-eating animals, jackals and eagles and howling horribly. Entering Lanka, they are in the groves, forming into groups."
kaalikaaH paaNDurair dantaiH prahasanty agrataH sthitaaH |
striyaH svapneSu muSNantyo gR^ihaaNi pratibhaaSya ca || 6-35-29
striyaH svapneSu muSNantyo gR^ihaaNi pratibhaaSya ca || 6-35-29
29. kaalikaaH= black; striyaH= women; pratibhaaSya= talking adversely; svapneSu= in dreams; muSNantyaH= robbing; gR^ihaaNi= the houses; sthitaaH= stand; agrataH= in front; prahasanti= laughing; paaNDuraiH= with their white; dantaiH= teeth.
"Black women, chattering incoherently in dreams and robbing different houses stand in front, laughing loudly with their white teeth."
gR^ihaaNaam bali karmaaNi shvaanaH paryupabhunjate |
kharaa goSu prajaayante muuSikaa nakulaiH saha || 6-35-30
kharaa goSu prajaayante muuSikaa nakulaiH saha || 6-35-30
30. shvaanaH= dogs; paryupabhuN^jate= devour; balikarmaaNi= the sacred offerings; gR^ihaaNi= in homes; kharaaH= donkeys; prajaayante= are born; goSu= of cows; muuSakaaH cha= and rats; nakuleSu= of mongoose.
"Dogs devour the sacred offerings offered in homes. Donkeys are born of cows and rats of mongoose."
maarjaaraa dviipibhiH saardham suukaraaH shunakaiH saha |
kimnaraa raakSasaisH ca api sameyur maanuSaiH saha || 6-35-31
kimnaraa raakSasaisH ca api sameyur maanuSaiH saha || 6-35-31
31. maarjaaraaH= cats; sameyuH= mate; dviipibhiH saardham= with tigers; suukaraaH= pigs; shunakaiH saha= with dogs; kimnaraaH= Kinnaras (a species of demi-gods with the human figure and the head of a horse or with a horse's body with the head of a man); raakSasaishchaapi= with demons; maanuSaiH saha= and men.
"Cats mate with tigers, pigs with dogs, Kinnaras (a species of demi-gods with the human figure and the head of a horse or with a horse's body and the head of a man) with demons and men."
paaNDuraa rakta paadaasH ca vihagaaH kaala coditaaH |
raakSasaanaam vinaashaaya kapotaa vicaranti ca || 6-35-32
raakSasaanaam vinaashaaya kapotaa vicaranti ca || 6-35-32
32. rakta paadaashcha= red-footed and; paaNDuraaH= white; kapotaaH= pigeons; kaala choditaaH= messengers of death; vicharanti= move in different directions; (foretelling); vinaashaaya= the extermination; raakSasaam= of demons.
"Red-footed and white pigeons, messengers of death, move in different directions, foretelling the extermination of demons."
viiciikuuciiti vaashantyaH shaarikaa veshmasu sthitaaH |
patanti grathitaasH ca api nirjitaaH kalaha eSiNaH || 6-35-33
patanti grathitaasH ca api nirjitaaH kalaha eSiNaH || 6-35-33
33. veshmasu sthitaaH= Domesticated; shaarikaaH= minas; vaashantya= making; chiichiikuuchi iti= a chirping sound; nirjitaaH- defeated; kalahaiSibhiH= by other bellicose birds; patanti= drop down; gratjotaasjcjaa[o= being twined together in groups.
"Domesticated minas (a kind of birds) making a chirping sound, defeated by other bellicose birds drop down, being twined together in groups."
pakshiNashcha mR^igaaH sarve pratyaadityam rudanti te |
karaalo vikaTo muNDaH puruSaH kR^iSNa pingalaH || 6-35-34
kaalo gR^ihaaNi sarveSaam kaale kaale anvavekSate |
etaany anyaani duSTaani nimittaany utpatanti ca || 6-35-35
karaalo vikaTo muNDaH puruSaH kR^iSNa pingalaH || 6-35-34
kaalo gR^ihaaNi sarveSaam kaale kaale anvavekSate |
etaany anyaani duSTaani nimittaany utpatanti ca || 6-35-35
34, 35. pakSiNaH= birds; te sarve= and all those; mR^igaaH= wild animals; pratyaadityam= turning towards the sun; rudanti= cryout; kaalaH= death; karaalaH= (in the from of) frightful; vikaTaH= monstrous; paruSaH= and cruel; kR^iSNa priN^galaH= blackish fellow; muNDaH= with a shaven head; anvavekSate= casts his eyes; gR^ihaaNi= on the dwellings; sarveSaaNi= of all of us; kaale kaale= both morning and eening; etaani= these; anyaani= and other; duSTaani nimittaani cha= sinister omens; utpatanti= appear.
"Birds and wild animals, facing towards the sun, cry out. Death, in the form of a frightful, monstrous and cruel blackish fellow with a shaven head casts his eyes on all our dwellings, both morning and evening. These and such other sinister omens appear."
viSNum manyaamahe raamam maanuSam deham aasthitam |
na hi maanuSa maatro asau raaghavo dR^iDha vikramaH || 6-35-36
yena baddhaH samudrasya sa setuH parama adbhutaH |
kuruSva nara raajena samdhim raameNa raavaNa || 6-35-37
jJNaatvaavadhaarya karmaaNi kriyataamaayatikshamam |
na hi maanuSa maatro asau raaghavo dR^iDha vikramaH || 6-35-36
yena baddhaH samudrasya sa setuH parama adbhutaH |
kuruSva nara raajena samdhim raameNa raavaNa || 6-35-37
jJNaatvaavadhaarya karmaaNi kriyataamaayatikshamam |
36, 37. manyaamahe= I deem; raamam= Rama; dR^iDhavikramaH= of firm fortitude; viSNum= as Vishnu; aasthitam= dwelling; maanuSam= in human; ruupam= form; asau= this; raaghavaH= Rama; na hi= is not indeed; maanuSa maatraH= a mere human being; yena= he by whom; saH= that paramaadbhutaH= most wonderful; setuH= bridge; baddhaH= was built; samudre= across the sea; raavaNa= O, Ravana!; kuruSva= conclude; samdhim= peace; raameNa= with Rama; nara raajena= who is the king of men; jJNaatvaa= having come to know; karmaaNi= of his acts; aayatikSamam= let that which is good for the future; kriyataam= be done; avadhaarya= after a mature understanding.
"I deem Rama of firm fortitude as Vishnu dwelling in human form. This Rama is not a mere human being, he by whom that most wonderful bridge was built across the sea. O, Ravana! Conclude peace with Rama, who is the king of men. Having come to know of his acts, let that which is good for the future be done after a mature understanding."
idam vacas tatra nigadya maalyavan |
pariikSya rakSo adhipater manaH punaH |
anuttameSu uttama pauruSo balii |
babhuuva tuuSNiim samavekSya raavaNam || 6-35-38
pariikSya rakSo adhipater manaH punaH |
anuttameSu uttama pauruSo balii |
babhuuva tuuSNiim samavekSya raavaNam || 6-35-38
nigadya= having spoken; idam vachaH= these words; maalyavaan= Malyavan; balii= the mighty; uttama pauruSaH= who was foremost in valour; anuttameSu= among the bravest warriors; pariikSya= aware of what was passing; rakSadhipate= in Ravana's manaH= mind; punaH= and again; samavekSya= eyeing him; babhuuva= became; tuuSNiim= silent.
Having spoken thus, the mighty Malyavan, who was foremost in valour among the bravest warriors, being aware of what was passing in Ravana's mind, eyeing him, became silent.
ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe paJNchatrimshaH sargaH
Thus completes 35th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
Chapter [Sarga] 36
Introduction
Ravana turns his deaf ear to the words of Malyavan and even abuses him that the latter exaggerating the strength of Rama. Ravana further says that he will not restore Seetha to Rama and that Rama and his army will not go back alive, having crossed the ocean and reached Lanka. Then, Ravana assigns Prahasta and others to guard the four main gates of Lanka against the inroads of the enemy. He retires to his inner apartments, after ordering these assignments.tattu maalyavato vaakyam hitam uktam daza aananaH |
na marSayati duSTa atmaa kaalasya vazam aagataH || 6-36-1
na marSayati duSTa atmaa kaalasya vazam aagataH || 6-36-1
1. dashaananaH= Ravana the ten-faced monster; duSTaatmaa= the evil-minded; aagataH= who had fallen; vasham= under the sway; kaalasya= of Death; na marSayati= could not brook; tat= that; hitam= beneficial; vaakyam= advice; uktam= uttered; maalyavataH= by Malyavan.
The evil- minded Ravana the ten-faced monster, who had fallen under the sway of Death; could not brook that beneficial advice tendered by Malyavan.
sa baddhvaa bhru kuTim vaktre krodhasya vazam aagataH |
amarSaat parivR^itta akSo maalyavantam atha abraviit || 6-36-2
amarSaat parivR^itta akSo maalyavantam atha abraviit || 6-36-2
2. saH= He; aagataH= had fallen; vasham= under the sway; krodhasya= of anger; baddhavaa= knitting; bhrukuTim= his brows; vaktre= on the face; parivR^ittaakSaH= rolling his eyes; dmarSaat= in fury; abraviit= spoke; atha= then; maalyavantam= to Malyavan; (as follows)
He had fallen under the sway of anger, knitting his brows on the face as he was, rolling his eyes in fury and spoke to Malyavan (as follows)
hita buddhyaa yad ahitam vacah paruSam ucyate |
para pakSam pravizya eva na etat zrotra gatam mama || 6-36-3
para pakSam pravizya eva na etat zrotra gatam mama || 6-36-3
3. etat= these; ahitam= improper; paruSam= and harsh; vachaH= words; yat= which; uchyate= were spoken (by you); hita buddhyaa= taking them to be salutary; pravishyaiva= and even entering into parapakSam= the side of an enemy; na shrotagatam= has not caught the ears; mama= to me.
"I have closed my ears to the speech you have made, albeit with good intentions and even by taking sides with the enemy."
maanuSam kR^ipaNam raamam ekam zaakhaa mR^iga aazrayam |
samartham manyase kena tyaktam pitraa vana aalayam || 6-36-4
samartham manyase kena tyaktam pitraa vana aalayam || 6-36-4
4. kena= how; manyase= are you thinking; raamaH= Rama; maanuSam= who is a human being; kR^ipaNam= a feeble man; ekam= a small man; shaakhamR^igaashrayam= taking help from monkeys; tyaktam= abandoned; pitraa= by his father; vanaashrayam= and dwelling in a forest; samartham= as competent?
"How can you hold Rama, who is a mere human being, a small feeble man, taking help from monkeys and dwelling in a forest having been abandoned by his father, to be a competent person?"
rakSasaam iizvaram maam ca devataanaam bhayam karam |
hiinam maam manyase kena;ahiinam sarva vikramaiH || 6-36-5
hiinam maam manyase kena;ahiinam sarva vikramaiH || 6-36-5
5. kena= why; manyase= are you thinking; maam= me; iishvaram= the Lord; rakSasaam= of demons; bhayamkaram= causing fear; devaanaam cha= to celestials; ahiinam= full; sarva vikramaiH= of all powers; hiinam= as a weaker person?
"How can you hold me, the Lord of demons, terrifying celestials and possessing all powers in full, to be a weaker person?"
viira dveSeNa vaa zanke pakSa paatena vaa ripoH |
tvayaa aham paruSaaNy uktaH para protsaahanena vaa || 6-36-6
tvayaa aham paruSaaNy uktaH para protsaahanena vaa || 6-36-6
6. aham= I; shaN^ke= suspect; paruSaaNi= (that) these harsh words; uktaH= were spoken; tvayaa= by you; viiradveSeNa= because of your hero-hatred; pakSapatena vaa= or your partiality; ripoH= towards the enemies; protsahanena vaa= or my (wrong) encouragement.
"I suspect that you spoke these harsh words to me because of your envy of my prowess or your partiality towards the enemies or my lenience towards you."
prabhavantam padastham hi paruSam ko ahbidhaasyati |
paNDitah zaastra tattvajno vinaa protsaahanaad ripoH || 6-36-7
paNDitah zaastra tattvajno vinaa protsaahanaad ripoH || 6-36-7
7. kaH= which; panditaH= learned man; shaastra tattvajJNaH= understanding the truth in the scriptures abhibhaashhate= would speak; paruSam= thus harshly; padastham= to a person in power; prabhavantam= who is mighty vinaa protsaahanena vaa= without any instigation?
"Which learned man, understand the truth in the scriptures, would speak thus harshly to a mighty person in power, were it not to instigate him?"
aaniiya ca vanaat siitaam padma hiinaam iva zriyam |
kim artham pratidaasyaami raaghavasya bhayaad aham || 6-36-8
kim artham pratidaasyaami raaghavasya bhayaad aham || 6-36-8
8. kimartham= why; aham= (should) I; pratidaasyaam= give back; siitaam= Seetha; shriyam iva= who is like Lashmi; the goddess of fortune; padmahiinaam= without the loutus; aaniiya= having brought her; vanaat= from the forest; bhayaat= through fear; raaghavasya of Rama?
"Why should I give back Seetha, who is like Lakshmi the goddess of fortune without the lotus, having brought her away from the forest, through fear of Rama?"
vR^itam vaanara koTiibhiH sasugriivam salakSmaNam |
pazya kaizcid ahobhis tvam raaghavam nihatam mayaa || 6-36-9
pazya kaizcid ahobhis tvam raaghavam nihatam mayaa || 6-36-9
9. kaishchit= within a few; ahobhiH= days; pashya= see; raaghvam= Rama; salakSmaNam= along with Lakshama; sasngriivam= together with Sugreeva; nR^itam= in the midst; vaanara koTiibhiH= of crores of monkeys; nihatam= killed; mayaa= by me.
"See Rama killed within a few days by me, along with Lakshama together with Sugreeva in the midst of crores of monkeys."
dvandve yasya na tiSThanti daivataany api samyuge |
sa kasmaad raavaNo yuddhe bhayam aahaarayiSyati || 6-36-10
sa kasmaad raavaNo yuddhe bhayam aahaarayiSyati || 6-36-10
10. kasmaat= how; saH= (should) that; raavaNaH= Ravana; yasya= whom; samynge= in combat; daivataanyapi= the celestials themselves; na tiSThanti= dare not withstand; dvandve= in a duel; aahaarayiSyati= entertain; bhayam= fear; yuddhe= in the encounter?
"How should this Ravana, whom in combat, the celestials themselves dare not meet in a duel, entertain fear in this encounter?"
dvidhaa bhajyeyam apy evam na nameyam tu kasyacit |
eSa me sahajo doSah svabhaavo duratikramaH || 6-36-11
eSa me sahajo doSah svabhaavo duratikramaH || 6-36-11
11. bhajyeyamapi= even if I am broken; dvidhaa= into two; na meyam= I shall not bend; kasya chit= to any body; evam= in this way; eSaH= this; me= is my; sahajaH= nature; doSaH= defect; svabhaavaH= which temperament; duratikramH= is difficult to be overcome.
"Rather would I be cut into two pieces than bend before anybody! Such was I from birth, it is my nature by difacult and unalterable."
yadi taavat samudre tu setur baddho yadR^icchayaa |
raameNa vismayaH ko atra yena te bhayam aagatam || 6-36-12
raameNa vismayaH ko atra yena te bhayam aagatam || 6-36-12
12. kaH= what; vismayaH= great marvel; atra= is there; yena = (in) that; aagatam= which should give way; bhayam= to terror; me= for me; yadi yadR^ichchhayaa= if by happy chance; setuH= a bridge; baddhaH taavat= indeed was constructed; samudre= accross the ocean; raameNa= by Rama.
"What great marvel is there in that which gave way to terror if by happy chance, a bridge indeed was constructed by Rama across the ocean."
sa tu tiirtvaa arNavam raamaH saha vaanara senayaa |
pratijaanaami te satyam na jiivan pratiyaasyati || 6-36-13
pratijaanaami te satyam na jiivan pratiyaasyati || 6-36-13
13. saH raaghavaH= that Rama; vaanara senayaa sha= along with his army of monkeys; tiirtraa= having crossed; aarNaam= the ocean; na pratiyaasyati= will not go back; jiivan= alive; pratijaanaami= I am promising; satyam= truely; te= to you.
"That Rama along with his army of monkeys, having crossed the ocean, will not go back alive. It is my true promise to you."
evam bruvaaNam samrabdham ruSTam vijnaaya raavaNam |
vriiDito maalyavaan vaakyam na uttaram pratyapadyata || 6-36-14
vriiDito maalyavaan vaakyam na uttaram pratyapadyata || 6-36-14
14. vijJNaaya= knowing; raavaNam= Ravana; ruSTam= to be furious; bruvaaNam= speaking; samrabdham= excited; iti= in this way; maalyavaan= Malyavan; vriiDitaH= felt bashful; na pratyapadyata= did not get; vaakyam= (any) words; uttaram= in reply.
Beholding Ravana to be highly excited and speaking with such fury, Malyavan, abashed, did not reply.
jaya aaziSaa ca raajaanam vardhayitvaa yathaa ucitam |
maalyavaan abhyanujnaato jagaama svam nivezanam || 6-36-15
maalyavaan abhyanujnaato jagaama svam nivezanam || 6-36-15
15. vardhayitvaa= Invoking; jayaashiSaa= blessings of victory; raajaanam= to the king; yathochitam= as courtesy demanded; maalyavaan= Malyavan; abhyaanujJNaataH= having been given permission; jagaama= went; svam= to his own; niveshanam= house.
Invoking blessings of victory to the king as courtesy demanded Malyavan took permission and went home.
raavaNas tu saha amaatyo mantrayitvaa vimR^izya ca |
lankaayaam atulaam guptim kaarayaam aasa raakSasaH || 6-36-16
lankaayaam atulaam guptim kaarayaam aasa raakSasaH || 6-36-16
16. raakSasaH= Ravana the demon on his part, sahaamaatyaH= assisted by his ministers; mantrayitvaa= having deliberated; vimR^ishya= on the things to be examined; kaarayaamaasa= set about planning; tadaa= then; guptim= the defense; laN^kaayaaH= of Lanka.
Ravana the demon on his part, assisted by his ministers having deliberated on the things to be examined, set about planning the defense of Lanka.
vyaadideza ca puurvasyaam prahastam dvaari raakSasam |
dakSiNasyaam mahaa viiryau mahaa paarzva mahaa udarau || 6-36-17
pazcimaayaam atho dvaari putram indrajitam tathaa |
vyaadideza mahaa maayam raakSasair bahubhir vR^itam || 6-36-18
dakSiNasyaam mahaa viiryau mahaa paarzva mahaa udarau || 6-36-17
pazcimaayaam atho dvaari putram indrajitam tathaa |
vyaadideza mahaa maayam raakSasair bahubhir vR^itam || 6-36-18
17, 18. atha= thereafter; vyaadidesha= he assigned; puurvaasyaam dvaari= eastern gate; raakSasam= to the demon; prahastam= Prahasta; vyaadidesha= assigned; dakSiNasyaam= the southern gate; mahaaparshva mahodarau= to Mahaparsva and Mahodara; mahaaviiryau= of great prowess; tadaa= then; pashchimaam= dvaasi= at the western gate; vyaadidesha= he appointed; putram= his son; indrajitam= Indrajit; mahaamaayam= a powerful conjuror; vR^itam= endowed with bahubhiH= a considerable force of; raakSasaiH= demons.
Thereafter, he assigned the eastern gate to the demon, Prahasta and the southern gate to Maha Parshva and Mhodara both of great prowess. At the western gate, he placed his son Indrajit, a powerful conjuror, with considerable force of demons.
uttarasyaam pura dvaari vyaadizya zuka saaraNau |
svayam ca atra bhaviSyaami mantriNas taan uvaaca ha || 6-36-19
svayam ca atra bhaviSyaami mantriNas taan uvaaca ha || 6-36-19
19. vyaadishya= placing; shuka ssaraNau= shuka and Sarana; uttarasyaam= at the norhtern; puradvaari= city- gate; uvaacha ha= (he) spoke; mantriNaH= to his ministers; taan= that; gamiSyaami= he would go; tatra= there; svayam= personally.
Placing Shuka and Sarana at the northern city-gate, Ravana told his ministers that he would go there personally.
raakSasam tu viruupa akSam mahaa viirya paraakramam |
madhyame asthaapayad gulme bahubhih saha raakSasaiH || 6-36-20
madhyame asthaapayad gulme bahubhih saha raakSasaiH || 6-36-20
20. aasthaapayat= He placed; raakSasam= the demon; viruupaakshham= Virupaksha; mahaa viirya paraakramam= who was full of energy and courage; madhyame= to be in the center; gulame= of the fort; bahubhiH raakSasaiH sha= with a large number of demons.
He place the demon Virupaksha, who was full of energy and courage, to be in the center of the fort, with a large number of demons.
evam vidhaanam lankaayaam kR^itvaa raakSasa pumgavaH |
mene kR^ita artham aatmaanam kR^ita anta vazam aagataH || 6-36-21
mene kR^ita artham aatmaanam kR^ita anta vazam aagataH || 6-36-21
21. kR^itvaa= making; vidhaanam= an arrangement; evam= in this manner; laN^kaayaam= in Lanka; raakSasa puNgavaH= that bull among the demons; kaalachoditaH= under the sway of Time; manyate= deemed; aatmaanam= his; kR^ita kR^ityamiva= purpose as accomplished.
Making an arrangement in Lanka in this manner, that bull among demons, under the sway of Time, deemed his purpose as accomplished.
visarjayaam aasa tatah sa mantriNo |
vidhaanam aajnaapya purasya puSkalam |
jaya aaziSaa mantra gaNena puujito |
viveza so antah puram R^iddhiman mahat || 6-36-22
vidhaanam aajnaapya purasya puSkalam |
jaya aaziSaa mantra gaNena puujito |
viveza so antah puram R^iddhiman mahat || 6-36-22
22. aajNaapya= having ordered; puSkalam= for the complete; vidhaanam= regulation; purasya= of the city; saH= Ravana; tataH= then; mantriNaH visarjayaamaasa= let his ministers depart; puujitaH= having been honoured; jayaashiSaa= by the body of counsellors; mantrigaNena= by the body of counsellors; saH= he; vivesha= entered; mahat= the mighty; R^iddhimat= and sumptuous; antaHpuram= inner apartments.
Having ordered for adequate arrangements for the defence of the city, Ravana then let his ministers depart. Having been honoured with blessings of victory by the body of counsellors, he entered his mighty and sumptuous inner apartments.
ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe saptatriMshaH sargaH
Thus completes 36th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
courtesy from
Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji
and Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji
I Humbly bow to the lotus feet of both of them
for the collection
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