Aranya Kanda, Sarga 2

कृतातिथ्योऽथ रामस्तु सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति। आम्नत्ऱ्य स मुनीन्सर्वान्वनमेवान्वगाहत।।3.2.1।।

kṛtātithyo'tha rāmastu sūryasyodayanaṃ prati| āmnatṟya sa munīnsarvānvanamevānvagāhata

After receiving hospitality from the sages, Rama took of all of them at sunrise and entered deep into the forest.

नानामृगगणाकीर्णमृक्षशार्दूल सेवितम्। ध्वस्तवृक्षलतागुल्मं दुर्दर्शसलिलाशयम्।।3.2.2।। निष्कूजनानाशकुनिझिल्लिकागणनादितम्। लक्ष्मणानुगतो रामो वनमध्यं ददर्श ह।।3.2.3।।

nānāmṛgagaṇākīrṇamṛkṣaśārdūla sevitam| dhvastavṛkṣalatāgulmaṃ durdarśasalilāśayam niṣkūjanānāśakunijhillikāgaṇanāditam| lakṣmaṇānugato rāmo vanamadhyaṃ dadarśa ha

With Lakshmana following, Rama went through the forest, filled with herds of animals and inhabited by bears and tigers. It was a place where trees, creepers and bushes were crushed (by frequent visits of demons). It was difficult to locate a water source. And it resounded with the chirping of various birds and insects (crickets).

नानामृगगणाकीर्णमृक्षशार्दूल सेवितम्। ध्वस्तवृक्षलतागुल्मं दुर्दर्शसलिलाशयम्।।3.2.2।। निष्कूजनानाशकुनिझिल्लिकागणनादितम्। लक्ष्मणानुगतो रामो वनमध्यं ददर्श ह।।3.2.3।।

nānāmṛgagaṇākīrṇamṛkṣaśārdūla sevitam| dhvastavṛkṣalatāgulmaṃ durdarśasalilāśayam niṣkūjanānāśakunijhillikāgaṇanāditam| lakṣmaṇānugato rāmo vanamadhyaṃ dadarśa ha

With Lakshmana following, Rama went through the forest, filled with herds of animals and inhabited by bears and tigers. It was a place where trees, creepers and bushes were crushed (by frequent visits of demons). It was difficult to locate a water source. And it resounded with the chirping of various birds and insects (crickets).

सीतया सह काकुत्स्थस्तस्मिनघोरमृगायुते। ददर्श गिरिशृङ्गाभं पुरुषादं महास्वनम्।।3.2.4।।

sītayā saha kākutsthastasminaghoramṛgāyute| dadarśa giriśṛṅgābhaṃ puruṣādaṃ mahāsvanam

While Rama along with Sita was wandering in the forest infested with dreadful animals, he saw a roaring cannibal resembling the peak of a mountain.

गम्भीराक्षं महावक्त्रं विकटं विषमोदरम्। बीभत्सं विषमं दीर्घं विकृतं घोरदर्शनम्।।3.2.5।।

gambhīrākṣaṃ mahāvaktraṃ vikaṭaṃ viṣamodaram| bībhatsaṃ viṣamaṃ dīrghaṃ vikṛtaṃ ghoradarśanam

He was of dreadful appearance with deep eyes, a huge face and a big belly. He looked tall, ugly and frightening.

वसानं चर्म वैयाघ्रं वसार्द्रं रुधिरोक्षितम्। त्रासनं सर्वभूतानां व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम्।।3.2.6।।

vasānaṃ carma vaiyāghraṃ vasārdraṃ rudhirokṣitam| trāsanaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ vyāditāsyamivāntakam

Wearing a tigerskin, he resembled the god of death. With a wide, open mouth, wet with marrow and drenched with blood, he struck terror into all beings.

त्रीन्सिम्हान्श्चतुरो व्याघ्रान्द्वौ वृकौ पृषतान्दश। सविषाणं वसादिग्धं गजस्य च शिरो महत्। अवसज्यायसे शूले विनदन्तं महास्वनम्।।3.2.7।।

trīnsimhānścaturo vyāghrāndvau vṛkau pṛṣatāndaśa| saviṣāṇaṃ vasādigdhaṃ gajasya ca śiro mahat| avasajyāyase śūle vinadantaṃ mahāsvanam

Roaring loudly, he carried an iron spit in which were pierced three lions, four tigers, two wolves, ten deer and the huge head of an elephant with its tusks smeared with the fat of flesh.

स रामं लक्ष्मणं चैव सीतां दृष्ट्वा च मैथिलीम्। अभ्यधावत्सुसङ्कृद्धः प्रजाः काल इवान्तकः।।3.2.8।।

sa rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ caiva sītāṃ dṛṣṭvā ca maithilīm| abhyadhāvatsusaṅkṛddhaḥ prajāḥ kāla ivāntakaḥ

Looking extremely furious, he ran towards Rama, Lakshmana and Sita like the god of death rushes towards the (dying) people.

स कृत्वा भैरवं नादं चालयन्निव मेदिनीम्। अङ्केनादाय वैदेहीमपक्रम्य ततोऽब्रवीत्।।3.2.9।।

sa kṛtvā bhairavaṃ nādaṃ cālayanniva medinīm| aṅkenādāya vaidehīmapakramya tato'bravīt

Making a dreadful sound, as if shaking the earth, he took Sita on his lap, stepped aside and said:

युवां जटाचीरधरौ सभार्यौ क्षीणजीवितौ। प्रविष्टौ दण्डकारण्यं शरचापासिधारिणौ।।3.2.10।।

yuvāṃ jaṭācīradharau sabhāryau kṣīṇajīvitau| praviṣṭau daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ śaracāpāsidhāriṇau

You both clad in bark and wearing matted hair, holding bows, arrows and swords have entered into the Dandaka forest with your wife. Your life has been cut short indeed৷৷

कथं तापसयोर्वां च वासः प्रमदया सह। अधर्मचारिणौ पापौ कौ युवां मुनिदूषकौ।।3.2.11।।

kathaṃ tāpasayorvāṃ ca vāsaḥ pramadayā saha| adharmacāriṇau pāpau kau yuvāṃ munidūṣakau

How is it that you both, dressed in the robes of ascetics, live with a woman? Leading an unrighteous and sinful life, who are you who have brought disgrace to the ascetic discipline ?

अहं वनमिदं दुर्गं विराधो नाम राक्षसः। चरामि सायुधो नित्यमृषिमांसानि भक्षयन्।।3.2.12।।

ahaṃ vanamidaṃ durgaṃ virādho nāma rākṣasaḥ| carāmi sāyudho nityamṛṣimāṃsāni bhakṣayan

I am a demon named Viradha. I move in this dense forest with my weapons eating the flesh of the sages.

इयं नारी वरारोहा मम भार्या भविष्यति। युवयोः पापयोश्चाहं पास्यामि रुधिरं मृधे।।3.2.13।।

iyaṃ nārī varārohā mama bhāryā bhaviṣyati| yuvayoḥ pāpayoścāhaṃ pāsyāmi rudhiraṃ mṛdhe

This woman of fine hips shall be my wife. You sinners I shall drink the blood of both of you in the fight.

तस्यैवं ब्रुवतो दुष्टं विराधस्य दुरात्मनः। श्रुत्वा सगर्वितं वाक्यं सम्भ्रान्ता जनकात्मजा।।3.2.14।।

tasyaivaṃ bruvato duṣṭaṃ virādhasya durātmanaḥ| śrutvā sagarvitaṃ vākyaṃ sambhrāntā janakātmajā

Sita, daughter of Janaka was bewildered out of fear when she heard the cruel and boastful words of that wicked Viradha.

सीता प्रवेपतोद्वेगात् प्रावाते कदली यथा।।3.2.15।। तां दृष्ट्वा राघवः सीतां विराधाङ्कगतां शुभाम्। अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणं वाक्यं मुखेन परिशुष्यता।।3.2.16।।

sītā pravepatodvegāt prāvāte kadalī yathā tāṃ dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ sītāṃ virādhāṅkagatāṃ śubhām| abravīllakṣmaṇaṃ vākyaṃ mukhena pariśuṣyatā

Seeing the auspicious Sita in the lap of Viradha shaken out of anxiety, like a plantain tree in a strong wind, Rama with his throat parched said to Lakshmana:

सीता प्रवेपतोद्वेगात् प्रावाते कदली यथा।।3.2.15।। तां दृष्ट्वा राघवः सीतां विराधाङ्कगतां शुभाम्। अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणं वाक्यं मुखेन परिशुष्यता।।3.2.16।।

sītā pravepatodvegāt prāvāte kadalī yathā tāṃ dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ sītāṃ virādhāṅkagatāṃ śubhām| abravīllakṣmaṇaṃ vākyaṃ mukhena pariśuṣyatā

Seeing the auspicious Sita in the lap of Viradha shaken out of anxiety, like a plantain tree in a strong wind, Rama with his throat parched said to Lakshmana:

पश्य सौम्य नरेन्द्रस्य जनकस्यात्मसम्भवाम्। मम भार्यां शुभाचारां विराधाङ्के प्रवेशिताम्।।3.2.17।। अत्यन्तसुखसंमव़ृद्धां राजपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्।

paśya saumya narendrasya janakasyātmasambhavām| mama bhāryāṃ śubhācārāṃ virādhāṅke praveśitām atyantasukhasaṃmava़ṛddhāṃ rājaputrīṃ yaśasvinīm|

Gentle Lakshmana, see the illustrious daughter ofJanaka, a lady of good conduct, brought up in utmost comfort caught in the lap of Viradha

यदभिप्रेतमस्मासु प्रियं वरवृतं च यत्।।3.2.18।। कैकेय्यास्तु सुसंवृत्तं क्षिप्रमद्यैव लक्ष्मण।

yadabhipretamasmāsu priyaṃ varavṛtaṃ ca yat kaikeyyāstu susaṃvṛttaṃ kṣipramadyaiva lakṣmaṇa|

O Lakshmana whatever Kaikeyi desired through her boons has now come true so soon.

या न तुष्यति राज्येन पुत्रार्थे दीर्घदर्शिनी।।3.2.19।। ययाहं सर्वभूतानां प्रियः प्रस्थापितो वनम्। अद्येदानीं सकामा सा या माता मध्यमा मम।।3.2.20।।

yā na tuṣyati rājyena putrārthe dīrghadarśinī yayāhaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ priyaḥ prasthāpito vanam| adyedānīṃ sakāmā sā yā mātā madhyamā mama

Kaikeyi, my middle mother is farsighted indeed Not content with the kingdom alone see sent me, beloved of all beings, away to the forest. Let her cherished desire be fulfilled.

या न तुष्यति राज्येन पुत्रार्थे दीर्घदर्शिनी।।3.2.19।। ययाहं सर्वभूतानां प्रियः प्रस्थापितो वनम्। अद्येदानीं सकामा सा या माता मध्यमा मम।।3.2.20।।

yā na tuṣyati rājyena putrārthe dīrghadarśinī yayāhaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ priyaḥ prasthāpito vanam| adyedānīṃ sakāmā sā yā mātā madhyamā mama

Kaikeyi, my middle mother is farsighted indeed Not content with the kingdom alone see sent me, beloved of all beings, away to the forest. Let her cherished desire be fulfilled.

परस्पर्शात्तु वैदेह्याः न दुःखतरमस्तिमे। पितुर्विनाशात्सौमित्रे स्वराज्यहरणात्तथा।।3.2.21।।

parasparśāttu vaidehyāḥ na duḥkhataramastime| piturvināśātsaumitre svarājyaharaṇāttathā

O Lakshmana nothing is more sorrowful to me than the touch of Vaidehi by another. It is more painful to me than the death of my father or loss of my kingdom.

इति ब्रुवति काकुत्स्थे बाष्पशोकपरिप्लुते। अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणः क्रुद्धो रुद्धो नाग इव श्वसन्।।3.2.22।।

iti bruvati kākutsthe bāṣpaśokapariplute| abravīllakṣmaṇaḥ kruddho ruddho nāga iva śvasan

As Rama was thus full of tears of sorrow, Lakshmana sighed heavily in anger like a hissing serpant in confinement. And said:

अनाथ इव भूतानां नाथस्त्वं वासवोपमः। मया प्रेष्येण काकुत्स्थ किमर्थं परितप्यसे।।3.2.23।।

anātha iva bhūtānāṃ nāthastvaṃ vāsavopamaḥ| mayā preṣyeṇa kākutstha kimarthaṃ paritapyase

O Rama, you are, like Indra, lord of all beings. What makes you feel sad like an orphan when I am at your service like a servant?

शरेण निहतस्याद्य मया क्रुद्धेन रक्षसः। विराधस्य गतासोर्हि मही पास्यति शोणितम्।।3.2.24।।

śareṇa nihatasyādya mayā kruddhena rakṣasaḥ| virādhasya gatāsorhi mahī pāsyati śoṇitam

The earth will drink the blood of Viradha with his life gone, slain by my angry arrow.

राज्यकामे मम क्रोधो भरते यो बभूव ह। तं विराधे प्रमोक्ष्यामि वज्री वज्रमिवाचले।।3.2.25।।

rājyakāme mama krodho bharate yo babhūva ha| taṃ virādhe pramokṣyāmi vajrī vajramivācale

Like Indra who hits the mountain with his thunderbolt, I shall release on Viradha the anger I felt against Bharata for his passion for the kingdom.

मम भुजबलवेगवेगितः पततु शरोऽस्य महान्महोरसि। व्यपनयतु तनोश्च जीवितं पततु ततस्समहीं विघूर्णितः।।3.2.26।।

mama bhujabalavegavegitaḥ patatu śaro'sya mahānmahorasi| vyapanayatu tanośca jīvitaṃ patatu tatassamahīṃ vighūrṇitaḥ

Spurred by the speed of my strong arms, my arrow will fall on his broad chest and separate his life from his body. Then his body reeling round and round will fall on the ground. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे द्वितीयस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the second sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.