Aranya Kanda, Sarga 17

कृताभिषेको रामस्तु सीता सौमित्रिरेव च। तस्माद्गोदावरीतीरात्ततो जग्मुस्वमाश्रमम्।।3.17.1।।

kṛtābhiṣeko rāmastu sītā saumitrireva ca| tasmādgodāvarītīrāttato jagmusvamāśramam

Ablution over, Rama, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, went back from the bank of the river Godabari to their hermitage.

आश्रमं तमुपागम्य राघवस्सह लक्ष्मणः। कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकं कर्म पर्णशालामुपागमत्।।3.17.2।।

āśramaṃ tamupāgamya rāghavassaha lakṣmaṇaḥ| kṛtvā paurvāhṇikaṃ karma parṇaśālāmupāgamat

On reaching the hermitage, Rama and Lakshmana performed the forenoon rituals and entered the leafthatched cottage.

उवास सुखितस्तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः। लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा चकार विविधाः कथाः।।3.17.3।।

uvāsa sukhitastatra pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ| lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā cakāra vividhāḥ kathāḥ

Honoured by the ascetics , Rama stayed there peacefully with brother Lakshmana, discussing diverse matters (from time to time).

स रामः पर्णशालायामासीनस्सह सीतया। विरराज महाबाहुश्चित्रया चन्द्रमाः इव।।3.17.4।।

sa rāmaḥ parṇaśālāyāmāsīnassaha sītayā| virarāja mahābāhuścitrayā candramāḥ iva

Longarmed Rama seated with Sita in the cottage, appeared like the Moon in conjunction with constellation Chitra.

तदाऽऽसीनस्य रामस्य कथासंसक्तचेतसः। तं देशं राक्षसी काचिदाजगाम यदृच्छया।।3.17.5।।

tadā''sīnasya rāmasya kathāsaṃsaktacetasaḥ| taṃ deśaṃ rākṣasī kācidājagāma yadṛcchayā

While Rama was thus seated, engrossed in conversation, there incidentally appeared a demoness.

सा तु शूर्पणखा नाम दशग्रीवस्य राक्षसः। भगिनी राममासाद्य ददर्श त्रिदशोपमम्।।3.17.6।।

sā tu śūrpaṇakhā nāma daśagrīvasya rākṣasaḥ| bhaginī rāmamāsādya dadarśa tridaśopamam

Surpanakha, sister of the tenheaded demon (Ravana) approached Rama shining like a god.

सिंहोरस्कं महाबाहुं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम्। आजानुबाहुं दीप्तास्यमतीव प्रियदर्शनम्।।3.17.7।। गजविक्रान्तगमनं जटामण्डलधारिणम्। सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम्।।3.17.8।। राममिन्दीवरश्यामं कन्दर्पसदृशप्रभम्। बभूवेन्द्रोपमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी काममोहिता।।3.17.9।।

siṃhoraskaṃ mahābāhuṃ padmapatranibhekṣaṇam| ājānubāhuṃ dīptāsyamatīva priyadarśanam gajavikrāntagamanaṃ jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇam| sukumāraṃ mahāsattvaṃ pārthivavyañjanānvitam rāmamindīvaraśyāmaṃ kandarpasadṛśaprabham| babhūvendropamaṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasī kāmamohitā

The demoness was infatuated with Rama, whose chest was like that of a lion, who was strongarmed, who had a glowing face, pleasing to the eyes, who walked with the gait of an elephant, whose hair was matted, who was gentle and strong who was, endowed with royal traits, who had a blue lotuslike complexion, who was handsome as the god of love, and who resembled Indra.

सिंहोरस्कं महाबाहुं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम्। आजानुबाहुं दीप्तास्यमतीव प्रियदर्शनम्।।3.17.7।। गजविक्रान्तगमनं जटामण्डलधारिणम्। सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम्।।3.17.8।। राममिन्दीवरश्यामं कन्दर्पसदृशप्रभम्। बभूवेन्द्रोपमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी काममोहिता।।3.17.9।।

siṃhoraskaṃ mahābāhuṃ padmapatranibhekṣaṇam| ājānubāhuṃ dīptāsyamatīva priyadarśanam gajavikrāntagamanaṃ jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇam| sukumāraṃ mahāsattvaṃ pārthivavyañjanānvitam rāmamindīvaraśyāmaṃ kandarpasadṛśaprabham| babhūvendropamaṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasī kāmamohitā

The demoness was infatuated with Rama, whose chest was like that of a lion, who was strongarmed, who had a glowing face, pleasing to the eyes, who walked with the gait of an elephant, whose hair was matted, who was gentle and strong who was, endowed with royal traits, who had a blue lotuslike complexion, who was handsome as the god of love, and who resembled Indra.

सिंहोरस्कं महाबाहुं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम्। आजानुबाहुं दीप्तास्यमतीव प्रियदर्शनम्।।3.17.7।। गजविक्रान्तगमनं जटामण्डलधारिणम्। सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम्।।3.17.8।। राममिन्दीवरश्यामं कन्दर्पसदृशप्रभम्। बभूवेन्द्रोपमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी काममोहिता।।3.17.9।।

siṃhoraskaṃ mahābāhuṃ padmapatranibhekṣaṇam| ājānubāhuṃ dīptāsyamatīva priyadarśanam gajavikrāntagamanaṃ jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇam| sukumāraṃ mahāsattvaṃ pārthivavyañjanānvitam rāmamindīvaraśyāmaṃ kandarpasadṛśaprabham| babhūvendropamaṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasī kāmamohitā

The demoness was infatuated with Rama, whose chest was like that of a lion, who was strongarmed, who had a glowing face, pleasing to the eyes, who walked with the gait of an elephant, whose hair was matted, who was gentle and strong who was, endowed with royal traits, who had a blue lotuslike complexion, who was handsome as the god of love, and who resembled Indra.

सुमुखं दुर्मुखी रामं वृत्तमध्यं महोदरी। विशालाक्षं विरूपाक्षी सुकेशं ताम्रमूर्धजा।।3.17.10।। प्रीतिरूपं विरूपा सा सुस्वरं भैरवस्वरा। तरुणं दारुणा वृद्धा दक्षिणं वामभाषिणी।।3.17.11।। न्यायवृत्तं सुदुर्वृत्ता प्रियमप्रियदर्शना। शरीरजसमाविष्टा राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.17.12।।

sumukhaṃ durmukhī rāmaṃ vṛttamadhyaṃ mahodarī| viśālākṣaṃ virūpākṣī sukeśaṃ tāmramūrdhajā prītirūpaṃ virūpā sā susvaraṃ bhairavasvarā| taruṇaṃ dāruṇā vṛddhā dakṣiṇaṃ vāmabhāṣiṇī nyāyavṛttaṃ sudurvṛttā priyamapriyadarśanā| śarīrajasamāviṣṭā rākṣasī vākyamabravīt

Rama's face was lovely, Surpanakha's was hideous. Rama had a slender waist, she had a huge belly. His eyes were large, hers were deformed. His hair was black and beautiful, hers was coppercoloured. He was lovely in appearance, she was ugly. His voice was sweet, hers was shrill. He was young, she was dreadfully old. He was positive, she was perverted. Rama was wellbehaved, she was wicked. Rama was just and loving while she was overcome by lust. (This) demoness said to Rama :

सुमुखं दुर्मुखी रामं वृत्तमध्यं महोदरी। विशालाक्षं विरूपाक्षी सुकेशं ताम्रमूर्धजा।।3.17.10।। प्रीतिरूपं विरूपा सा सुस्वरं भैरवस्वरा। तरुणं दारुणा वृद्धा दक्षिणं वामभाषिणी।।3.17.11।। न्यायवृत्तं सुदुर्वृत्ता प्रियमप्रियदर्शना। शरीरजसमाविष्टा राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.17.12।।

sumukhaṃ durmukhī rāmaṃ vṛttamadhyaṃ mahodarī| viśālākṣaṃ virūpākṣī sukeśaṃ tāmramūrdhajā prītirūpaṃ virūpā sā susvaraṃ bhairavasvarā| taruṇaṃ dāruṇā vṛddhā dakṣiṇaṃ vāmabhāṣiṇī nyāyavṛttaṃ sudurvṛttā priyamapriyadarśanā| śarīrajasamāviṣṭā rākṣasī vākyamabravīt

Rama's face was lovely, Surpanakha's was hideous. Rama had a slender waist, she had a huge belly. His eyes were large, hers were deformed. His hair was black and beautiful, hers was coppercoloured. He was lovely in appearance, she was ugly. His voice was sweet, hers was shrill. He was young, she was dreadfully old. He was positive, she was perverted. Rama was wellbehaved, she was wicked. Rama was just and loving while she was overcome by lust. (This) demoness said to Rama :

सुमुखं दुर्मुखी रामं वृत्तमध्यं महोदरी। विशालाक्षं विरूपाक्षी सुकेशं ताम्रमूर्धजा।।3.17.10।। प्रीतिरूपं विरूपा सा सुस्वरं भैरवस्वरा। तरुणं दारुणा वृद्धा दक्षिणं वामभाषिणी।।3.17.11।। न्यायवृत्तं सुदुर्वृत्ता प्रियमप्रियदर्शना। शरीरजसमाविष्टा राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.17.12।।

sumukhaṃ durmukhī rāmaṃ vṛttamadhyaṃ mahodarī| viśālākṣaṃ virūpākṣī sukeśaṃ tāmramūrdhajā prītirūpaṃ virūpā sā susvaraṃ bhairavasvarā| taruṇaṃ dāruṇā vṛddhā dakṣiṇaṃ vāmabhāṣiṇī nyāyavṛttaṃ sudurvṛttā priyamapriyadarśanā| śarīrajasamāviṣṭā rākṣasī vākyamabravīt

Rama's face was lovely, Surpanakha's was hideous. Rama had a slender waist, she had a huge belly. His eyes were large, hers were deformed. His hair was black and beautiful, hers was coppercoloured. He was lovely in appearance, she was ugly. His voice was sweet, hers was shrill. He was young, she was dreadfully old. He was positive, she was perverted. Rama was wellbehaved, she was wicked. Rama was just and loving while she was overcome by lust. (This) demoness said to Rama :

जटी तापसरूपेण सभार्यश्शरचापधृत्। आगतस्त्वमिमं देशं कथं राक्षससेवितम्।।3.17.13।। किमागमनकृत्यं ते तत्त्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि।

jaṭī tāpasarūpeṇa sabhāryaśśaracāpadhṛt| āgatastvamimaṃ deśaṃ kathaṃ rākṣasasevitam kimāgamanakṛtyaṃ te tattvamākhyātumarhasi|

O Rama you are wearing matted hair like an ascetic, but living with your wife and holding bow and arrows. What brings you to this place haunted by demons ? You should tell me the truth ?

एवमुक्तस्तु राक्षस्या शूर्पणख्या परन्तपः।।3.17.14।। ऋजुबुद्धितया सर्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे।

evamuktastu rākṣasyā śūrpaṇakhyā parantapaḥ ṛjubuddhitayā sarvamākhyātumupacakrame|

Thus asked by the demoness Surpanakha, Rama, scorcher of foes began telling her everything due to his simplemindedness.

अनृतं न हि रामस्य कदाचिदपि सम्मतम्।।3.17.15।। विशेषेणाऽश्रमस्थस्य समीपे स्त्रीजनस्य च।

anṛtaṃ na hi rāmasya kadācidapi sammatam viśeṣeṇā'śramasthasya samīpe strījanasya ca|

To Rama untruth is never acceptable at the hermitage and especially in the presence of a woman.

आसीद्धशरथो नाम राजा त्रिदशविक्रमः।।3.17.16।। तस्याहमग्रजः पुत्रो रामो नाम जनैश्श्रुतः।

āsīddhaśaratho nāma rājā tridaśavikramaḥ tasyāhamagrajaḥ putro rāmo nāma janaiśśrutaḥ|

(Rama replied) There was a king named Dasaratha who was mighty like the gods. I am his eldest son known among the people as Rama.

भ्राताऽयं लक्ष्मणो नाम यवीयान्मामनुव्रतः।।3.17.17।। इयं भार्या च वैदेही मम सीतेति विश्रुता।

bhrātā'yaṃ lakṣmaṇo nāma yavīyānmāmanuvrataḥ iyaṃ bhāryā ca vaidehī mama sīteti viśrutā|

Here is Lakshmana , my younger brother, who always follows me . And this is the daughter of the king of Videha and my wife, wellknown as Sita.

नियोगात् तु नरेन्द्रस्य पितुर्मातुश्च यन्त्रितः।।3.17.18।। धर्मार्थं धर्मकाङ्क्षी च वनं वस्तुमिहागतः।

niyogāt tu narendrasya piturmātuśca yantritaḥ dharmārthaṃ dharmakāṅkṣī ca vanaṃ vastumihāgataḥ|

I have come here, commanded by the king, my father and mother.Intending to obey the orders of my father, and impelled by duty to establish righteousness I have come to reside here.

त्वां तु वेदितुमिच्छामि कस्य त्वं कासि कस्य वा।।3.17.19।। त्वं हि तावन्मनोज्ञाङ्गी राक्षसी प्रतिभासि मे।

tvāṃ tu veditumicchāmi kasya tvaṃ kāsi kasya vā tvaṃ hi tāvanmanojñāṅgī rākṣasī pratibhāsi me|

I wish to know who you are. Tell me who your kins are. With lovely limbs you do not appear to be a demoness.

इह वा किंनिमित्तं त्वमागता ब्रूहि तत्त्वत:।।3.17.20।। साब्रवीद् वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसी मदनार्दिता।

iha vā kiṃnimittaṃ tvamāgatā brūhi tattvata: sābravīd vacanaṃ śrutvā rākṣasī madanārditā|

Tell me truly what you have come here for. Having heard the words of Rama and overtaken by passion, the demoness said:

श्रूयतां राम वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वार्थं वचनं मम। 3.17.21।। अहं शूर्पणखा नाम राक्षसी कामरूपिणी। अरण्यं विचरामीदमेका सर्वभयङ्करा।।3.17.22।।

śrūyatāṃ rāma vakṣyāmi tattvārthaṃ vacanaṃ mama| 3.17.21|| ahaṃ śūrpaṇakhā nāma rākṣasī kāmarūpiṇī| araṇyaṃ vicarāmīdamekā sarvabhayaṅkarā

My name is Surpanakha. I am a demoness who can assume any form at will, I move in this forest alone, unleashing a reign of terror.

श्रूयतां राम वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वार्थं वचनं मम। 3.17.21।। अहं शूर्पणखा नाम राक्षसी कामरूपिणी। अरण्यं विचरामीदमेका सर्वभयङ्करा।।3.17.22।।

śrūyatāṃ rāma vakṣyāmi tattvārthaṃ vacanaṃ mama| 3.17.21|| ahaṃ śūrpaṇakhā nāma rākṣasī kāmarūpiṇī| araṇyaṃ vicarāmīdamekā sarvabhayaṅkarā

My name is Surpanakha. I am a demoness who can assume any form at will, I move in this forest alone, unleashing a reign of terror.

रावणो नाम मे भ्राता बलीयान्राक्षसेश्वरः। वीरो विश्रवसः पुत्रो यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः।।3.17.23।।

rāvaṇo nāma me bhrātā balīyānrākṣaseśvaraḥ| vīro viśravasaḥ putro yadi te śrotramāgataḥ

My brother is Ravana, son of Visrava, and lord of all demons. You have heard his name I suppose.

प्रवृद्धनिद्रश्च सदा कुम्भकर्णो महाबलः। विभीषणस्तु धर्मात्मा न तु राक्षसचेष्टितः।।3.17.24।। प्रख्यातवीर्यौ च रणे भ्रातरौ खरदूषणौ।

pravṛddhanidraśca sadā kumbhakarṇo mahābalaḥ| vibhīṣaṇastu dharmātmā na tu rākṣasaceṣṭitaḥ prakhyātavīryau ca raṇe bhrātarau kharadūṣaṇau|

Kumbhakarna is another brother of mine. He is very strong. He is always in deep sleep. Vibhisna another brother. He is righteous free from any demoniac trait. My other two brothers are Khara and Dusana who are wellknown heroes of war.

तानहं समतिक्रान्ता राम त्वा पूर्वदर्शनात्।।3.17.25।। समुपेतास्मि भावेन भर्तारं पुरुषोत्तमम्।

tānahaṃ samatikrāntā rāma tvā pūrvadarśanāt samupetāsmi bhāvena bhartāraṃ puruṣottamam|

Setting them aside, I came here, as soon as I saw you. You are the finest among men and I am here wishing you to be my husband.

अहं प्रभावसम्पन्ना स्वच्छन्दबलगामिनी।।3.17.26।। चिराय भव मे भर्ता सीतया किं करिष्यसि।

ahaṃ prabhāvasampannā svacchandabalagāminī cirāya bhava me bhartā sītayā kiṃ kariṣyasi|

I have influence over others, I have capacity to move wherever I want. Be my husband forever. What will you do with Sita?

विकृता च विरूपा च न चेयं सदृशी तव।।3.17.27।। अहमेवानुरूपा ते भार्या रूपेण पश्य माम्।

vikṛtā ca virūpā ca na ceyaṃ sadṛśī tava ahamevānurūpā te bhāryā rūpeṇa paśya mām|

She is ugly, deformed, unsuitable for you. I am alone fit for you. Look upon me as your wife.

इमां विरूपामसतीं करालां निर्णतोदरीम्।।3.17.28।। अनेन ते सह भ्रात्रा भक्षयिष्यामि मानुषीम्।

imāṃ virūpāmasatīṃ karālāṃ nirṇatodarīm anena te saha bhrātrā bhakṣayiṣyāmi mānuṣīm|

I will devour your brother along with this disfigured, unchaste and fearful lady with a flat belly.

ततः पर्वतशृङ्गाणि वनानि विविधानि च।।3.17.29।। पश्यन्सह मया कान्त दण्डकान्विचरिष्यसि।

tataḥ parvataśṛṅgāṇi vanāni vividhāni ca paśyansaha mayā kānta daṇḍakānvicariṣyasi|

O darling, thereafter you can keep wandering with me in this Dandaka forest, enjoying the beauty of the mountain tops and forests.

इत्येवमुक्तः काकुत्स्थः प्रहस्य मदिरेक्षणाम्।।3.17.30।। इदं वचनमारेभे वक्तुं वाक्यविशारदः।

ityevamuktaḥ kākutsthaḥ prahasya madirekṣaṇām idaṃ vacanamārebhe vaktuṃ vākyaviśāradaḥ|

Thus addressed, Rama, skilled in speech, laughed and started speaking to that woman of bewitching eyes. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे सप्तदशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the seventeenth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.