Aranya Kanda, Sarga 31

त्वरमाणस्ततो गत्वा जनस्थानादकम्पनः। प्रविश्य लङ्कां वेगेन रावणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.31.1।।

tvaramāṇastato gatvā janasthānādakampanaḥ| praviśya laṅkāṃ vegena rāvaṇaṃ vākyamabravīt

Quickly did Akampana leave Janasthana, and quickly he entered Lanka. He said to Ravana:

जनस्थानस्थिता राजन्राक्षसा बहवो हताः। खरश्च निहतस्सङ्ख्ये कथञ्चिदहमागतः।।3.31.2।।

janasthānasthitā rājanrākṣasā bahavo hatāḥ| kharaśca nihatassaṅkhye kathañcidahamāgataḥ

O king many demons dwelling at Janasthana including Khara have been killed. I manged to escape with much difficulty.

एवमुक्तो दशग्रीवः क्रुद्ध स्संरक्तलोचनः। अकम्पनमुवाचेदं निर्दहन्निव चक्षुषा।।3.31.3।।

evamukto daśagrīvaḥ kruddha ssaṃraktalocanaḥ| akampanamuvācedaṃ nirdahanniva cakṣuṣā

When Akampana thus reported to the tenheaded Ravana, his eyes reddened with anger. He spoke to Akampana as if he was burning him with his eyes :

केन रम्यं जनस्थानं हतं मम परासुना। को हि सर्वेषु लोकेषु गतिं चाधिगमिष्यति।।3.31.4।।

kena ramyaṃ janasthānaṃ hataṃ mama parāsunā| ko hi sarveṣu lokeṣu gatiṃ cādhigamiṣyati

He who has destroyed my beautiful Janasthana is sure to die. His life is under the control of others (his enemies). Where can he be(alive) in all the worlds?

न हि मे विप्रियं कृत्वा शक्यं मघवता सुखम्। प्राप्तुं वैश्रवणेनापि न यमेन न विष्णुना।।3.31.5।।

na hi me vipriyaṃ kṛtvā śakyaṃ maghavatā sukham| prāptuṃ vaiśravaṇenāpi na yamena na viṣṇunā

One who has caused displeasure to me cannot be happy, be it Indra or Kubera, or Yama or even Visnu.

कालस्य चाप्यहं कालो दहेयमपि पावकम्। मृत्युं मरणधर्मेण संयोजयितुमुत्सहे।।3.31.6।।

kālasya cāpyahaṃ kālo daheyamapi pāvakam| mṛtyuṃ maraṇadharmeṇa saṃyojayitumutsahe

I am the destroyer of the destroyer (Yama). I can burn even that which burns (fire). I can infuse Death with the characteristics of death itself.

दहेयमपि सङ्कृद्धस्तेजसाऽदित्यपावकौ। वातस्य तरसा वेगं निहन्तुमहमुत्सहे।।3.31.7।।

daheyamapi saṅkṛddhastejasā'dityapāvakau| vātasya tarasā vegaṃ nihantumahamutsahe

If angry, I can burn the Sun and even fire with my radiance. I can arrest the speed of the wind instantly with my effort.

तथा क्रुद्धं दशग्रीवं कृताञ्जलिरकम्पनः। भयात्सन्दिग्धया वाचा रावणं याचतेऽभयम्।।3.31.8।।

tathā kruddhaṃ daśagrīvaṃ kṛtāñjalirakampanaḥ| bhayātsandigdhayā vācā rāvaṇaṃ yācate'bhayam

Akampana, out of fear, implored the inflamed Ravana with folded hands and faltering voice to spare him.

दशग्रीवोऽभयं तस्मै प्रददौ रक्षसां वरः। स विस्रब्धोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यमसन्दिग्धमकम्पनः।।3.31.9।।

daśagrīvo'bhayaṃ tasmai pradadau rakṣasāṃ varaḥ| sa visrabdho'bravīdvākyamasandigdhamakampanaḥ

The tenheaded Ravana, lord of the demons, assured safety to Akampana, who gratefully said these words without hesitation:

पुत्रो दशरथस्यास्ति सिंहसंहननो युवा। रामो नाम वृषस्कन्धो वृत्तायतमहाभुजः।।3.31.10।।

putro daśarathasyāsti siṃhasaṃhanano yuvā| rāmo nāma vṛṣaskandho vṛttāyatamahābhujaḥ

Dasaratha has a young son, by name, Rama. He has a body like a lion's. He has strong, round arms and his shoulders resemble those of a bull.

वीरः पृथुयशाश्श्रीमानतुल्यबलविक्रमः। हतं तेन जनस्थानं खरश्च सह दूषणः।।3.31.11।।

vīraḥ pṛthuyaśāśśrīmānatulyabalavikramaḥ| hataṃ tena janasthānaṃ kharaśca saha dūṣaṇaḥ

He is a hero of great fame and unequal prowess. He has destroyed your Janasthana and also Khara along with Dusana.

अकम्पनवच श्रुत्वा रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। नागेन्द्र इव निश्वस्य वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्।।3.31.12।।

akampanavaca śrutvā rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| nāgendra iva niśvasya vacanaṃ cedamabravīt

Having heard Akampana's words, Ravana, the lord of demons, sighed heavily like the king of serpents and said these words:

स सुरेन्द्रेण संयुक्तो रामस्सर्वामरैस्सह। उपयातो जनस्थानं ब्रूहि कच्चिदकम्पन।।3.31.13।।

sa surendreṇa saṃyukto rāmassarvāmaraissaha| upayāto janasthānaṃ brūhi kaccidakampana

Did Rama come to Janasthana with Indra and the gods ? O Akampana speak.

रावणस्य पुनर्वाक्यं निशम्य तदकम्पनः। आचचक्षे बलं तस्य विक्रमं च महात्मनः।।3.31.14।।

rāvaṇasya punarvākyaṃ niśamya tadakampanaḥ| ācacakṣe balaṃ tasya vikramaṃ ca mahātmanaḥ

Hearing Ravana's words, Akampana continued telling about great Rama's strength and his exploits in war.

रामो नाम महातेजा श्रेष्ठस्सर्वधनुष्मताम्। दिव्यास्त्रगुणसम्पन्नः पुरन्दरसमो युधि।।3.31.15।।

rāmo nāma mahātejā śreṣṭhassarvadhanuṣmatām| divyāstraguṇasampannaḥ purandarasamo yudhi

Rama is his name. He looks very radiant. He is the best among the archers. Owner of divine weapons, he is comparable to Indra in war.

तस्यानुरूपो बलवान्रक्ताक्षो दन्दुभिस्वनः। कनीयान्लक्ष्मणो नाम भ्राता शशिनिभाननः।।3.31.16।।

tasyānurūpo balavānraktākṣo dandubhisvanaḥ| kanīyānlakṣmaṇo nāma bhrātā śaśinibhānanaḥ

He is strong with bright red eyes. He has a deep voice with the resonance of a drum. His face is like the moon. Lakshmana, his younger brother, is similar to him in appearance.

स तेन सह संयुक्तः पावकेनानिलो यथा। श्रीमान्राजवरस्तेन जनस्थानं निपातितम्।।3.31.17।।

sa tena saha saṃyuktaḥ pāvakenānilo yathā| śrīmānrājavarastena janasthānaṃ nipātitam

Rama is prosperous. He is the best among kings. Lakshmana with him is like wind with fire. Rama has pulled down Janasthana.

नैव देवा महात्मानो नात्र कार्या विचारणा। शरा रामेण तूत्सृष्टा रुक्मपुङ्खाः पतत्रिणः।।3.31.18।। सर्पाः पञ्चानना भूत्वा भक्षयन्ति स्म राक्षसान्।

naiva devā mahātmāno nātra kāryā vicāraṇā| śarā rāmeṇa tūtsṛṣṭā rukmapuṅkhāḥ patatriṇaḥ sarpāḥ pañcānanā bhūtvā bhakṣayanti sma rākṣasān|

Indeed, they are great men. No god came there (to lend him a hand). There is no need to investigate further about it. The goldenfeathered arrows released by Rama turned into fivehooded serpents and consumed the demons.

येन येन च गच्छन्ति राक्षसा भयकर्शिताः।3.31.19।। तेन तेन स्म पश्यन्ति राममेवाग्रतः स्थितम्। इत्थं विनाशितं तेन जनस्थानं तवानघ।।3.31.20।।

yena yena ca gacchanti rākṣasā bhayakarśitāḥ|3.31.19|| tena tena sma paśyanti rāmamevāgrataḥ sthitam| itthaṃ vināśitaṃ tena janasthānaṃ tavānagha

Wherever the demons went they, gripped by fear, only saw Rama in front. O sinless sire In this manner your Janasthana was destroyed by him.

येन येन च गच्छन्ति राक्षसा भयकर्शिताः।3.31.19।। तेन तेन स्म पश्यन्ति राममेवाग्रतः स्थितम्। इत्थं विनाशितं तेन जनस्थानं तवानघ।।3.31.20।।

yena yena ca gacchanti rākṣasā bhayakarśitāḥ|3.31.19|| tena tena sma paśyanti rāmamevāgrataḥ sthitam| itthaṃ vināśitaṃ tena janasthānaṃ tavānagha

Wherever the demons went they, gripped by fear, only saw Rama in front. O sinless sire In this manner your Janasthana was destroyed by him.

अकम्पनवचश्रुत्वा रावणो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। जनस्थानं गमिष्यामि हन्तुं रामं सलक्ष्मणम्।।3.31.21।।

akampanavacaśrutvā rāvaṇo vākyamabravīt| janasthānaṃ gamiṣyāmi hantuṃ rāmaṃ salakṣmaṇam

Hearing Akampana's words, Ravana said, I will go to Janasthana and kill Rama along with Lakshmana.

अथैवमुक्ते वचने प्रोवाचेदमकम्पनः। शृणु राजन्यथावृत्तं रामस्य बलपौरुषम्।।3.31.22।।

athaivamukte vacane provācedamakampanaḥ| śṛṇu rājanyathāvṛttaṃ rāmasya balapauruṣam

Thus said by Ravana, Akampana responded, I will tell you what happened there. O king listen to the strength and valour of Rama.

असाध्यः कुपितो रामो विक्रमेण महायशाः। आपगायास्सुपूर्णाया वेगं परिहरेच्छरैः।।3.31.23।।

asādhyaḥ kupito rāmo vikrameṇa mahāyaśāḥ| āpagāyāssupūrṇāyā vegaṃ parihareccharaiḥ

Rama is of great fame. When outraged, he is irrepressible. He can arrest with his arrows even the speed of a river (in spate).

सतारग्रहनक्षत्रं नभश्चाप्यवसादयेत्। असौ रामस्तु सीदन्तीं श्रीमानभ्युद्धरेन्महीम्।।3.31.24।।

satāragrahanakṣatraṃ nabhaścāpyavasādayet| asau rāmastu sīdantīṃ śrīmānabhyuddharenmahīm

Powerful Rama can pull down the sky along with the planets and stars. He can lift the drowning earth from the depth of the sea.

भित्त्वा वेलां समुद्रस्य लोकानाप्लावयेद्विभुः। वेगं वापि समुद्रस्य वायुं वा विधमेच्छरैः।।3.31.25।।

bhittvā velāṃ samudrasya lokānāplāvayedvibhuḥ| vegaṃ vāpi samudrasya vāyuṃ vā vidhameccharaiḥ

He is so very powerful that he can drown the earth by breaking the boundary of the sea. He can arrest the speed of the sea or of the wind with his arrows.

संहृत्य वा पुनर्लोकान्विक्रमेण महायशाः। शक्तस्सपुरुषव्याघ्रः स्रष्टुं पुनरपि प्रजाः।।3.31.26।।

saṃhṛtya vā punarlokānvikrameṇa mahāyaśāḥ| śaktassapuruṣavyāghraḥ sraṣṭuṃ punarapi prajāḥ

He is a tiger among men. He is so powerful that he can destroy the world and recreate the creatures once again by his valour.

न हि रामो दशग्रीव शक्यो जेतुं त्वया युधि। रक्षसां वापि लोकेन स्वर्गः पापजनैरिव।।3.31.27।।

na hi rāmo daśagrīva śakyo jetuṃ tvayā yudhi| rakṣasāṃ vāpi lokena svargaḥ pāpajanairiva

O tenheaded one, just as it is not possible for sinners to attain heaven it is not possible for you or for the entire world of demons to win him in war

न तं वध्यमहं मन्ये सर्वैर्देवासुरैरपि। अयं तस्य वधोपायस्तन्ममैकमनाश्शृणु।।3.31.28।।

na taṃ vadhyamahaṃ manye sarvairdevāsurairapi| ayaṃ tasya vadhopāyastanmamaikamanāśśṛṇu

I do not think it is possible for gods and demons together to kill him, yet there is a way for his destruction. You may listen to me with single mindedattention:

भार्या तस्योत्तमा लोके सीता नाम सुमध्यमा। श्यामा समविभक्ताङ्गी स्त्रीरत्नं रत्नभूषिता।।3.31.29।।

bhāryā tasyottamā loke sītā nāma sumadhyamā| śyāmā samavibhaktāṅgī strīratnaṃ ratnabhūṣitā

Rama has a wife in this world, by name, Sita, who is beautiful, has a slender waist and a wellformed body. Adorned with gems, she is a jewel among women,

नैव देवी न गन्धर्वी नाप्सरा नापि दानवी। तुल्या सीमन्तिनी तस्या मानुषीषु कुतो भवेत्।।3.31.30।।

naiva devī na gandharvī nāpsarā nāpi dānavī| tulyā sīmantinī tasyā mānuṣīṣu kuto bhavet

She has no equal among goddesses nor among gandharvis nor apasaras nor among demonesses. How can there be a peer of her among human beings ?

तस्यापहर भार्यांत्वं प्रमथ्य तु महावने। सीतया रहितः कामी रामो हास्यति जीवितम्।।3.31.31।।

tasyāpahara bhāryāṃtvaṃ pramathya tu mahāvane| sītayā rahitaḥ kāmī rāmo hāsyati jīvitam

Abduct Rama's wife by force in that great forest and bereft of Sita, he will give up his life.

अरोचयत तद्वाक्यं रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। चिन्तयित्वा महाबाहुरकम्पनमुवाच ह।।3.31.32।।

arocayata tadvākyaṃ rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| cintayitvā mahābāhurakampanamuvāca ha

Ravana, the strongarmed king of demons, relished the words of Akampana and pondering over the matter, said to him :

बाढं काल्यं गमिष्यामि ह्येकस्सारथिना सह। आनयिष्यामि वैदेहीमिमां हृष्टो महापुरीम्।।3.31.33।।

bāḍhaṃ kālyaṃ gamiṣyāmi hyekassārathinā saha| ānayiṣyāmi vaidehīmimāṃ hṛṣṭo mahāpurīm

Yes, early in the morning I will go alone gladly with the charioteer and bring Vaidehi here to this great city.

अथैवमुक्त्वा प्रययौ खरयुक्तेन रावणः। रथेनादित्यवर्णेन दिशस्सर्वाः प्रकाशयन्।।3.31.34।।

athaivamuktvā prayayau kharayuktena rāvaṇaḥ| rathenādityavarṇena diśassarvāḥ prakāśayan

Having said so, Ravana got on a chariot yoked with donkeys. It had the colour of the Sun. It illuminated all directions. Ravana left.

स रथो राक्षसेन्द्रस्य नक्षत्रपथगो महान्। सञ्चार्यमाणश्शुशुभे जलदे चन्द्रमा इव।।3.31.35।।

sa ratho rākṣasendrasya nakṣatrapathago mahān| sañcāryamāṇaśśuśubhe jalade candramā iva

The great chariot of the demon king (Ravana) flying in the sky shone like the Moon in the cloud.

स मारीचाश्रमं प्राप्य ताटकेयमुपागमत्। मारीचेनार्चितो राजा भक्ष्यभोज्यैरमानुषैः।।3.31.36।।

sa mārīcāśramaṃ prāpya tāṭakeyamupāgamat| mārīcenārcito rājā bhakṣyabhojyairamānuṣaiḥ

Ravana reached the hermitage of Maricha and met him who was the son of Tataka. The demon king was treated with food that can be chewed and food that can be eaten.

तं स्वयं पूजयित्वा तु आसनेनोदकेन च। अर्थोपहितया वाचा मारीचो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.31.37।।

taṃ svayaṃ pūjayitvā tu āsanenodakena ca| arthopahitayā vācā mārīco vākyamabravīt

Maricha personally offered Ravana a seat. He offered him water and paid him obeisance. Making meaningful enquiries he said in appropriate words :

कच्चित्सुकुशलं राजन्लोकानां राक्षसेश्वर। आशङ्के नाथ जाने त्वं यतस्तूर्णमिहागतः।।3.31.38।।

kaccitsukuśalaṃ rājanlokānāṃ rākṣaseśvara| āśaṅke nātha jāne tvaṃ yatastūrṇamihāgataḥ

O lord of demons O king hope every one is fine in the world of demons. O lord, (though) your sudden arrival puts me in doubt (about everything going right).

एवमुक्तो महातेजा मारीचेन स रावणः। ततः पश्चादिदं वाक्यमब्रवीद्वाक्यकोविदः।।3.31.39।।

evamukto mahātejā mārīcena sa rāvaṇaḥ| tataḥ paścādidaṃ vākyamabravīdvākyakovidaḥ

Having thus been asked by Maricha, glorious Ravana, who was eloquent in speech, spoke to him :

आरक्षो मे हतस्तात रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा। जनस्थानमवध्य तत्सर्वं युधि निपातितम्।।3.31.40।। तस्य मे कुरु साचिव्यं तस्य भार्यापहारणे।

ārakṣo me hatastāta rāmeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā| janasthānamavadhya tatsarvaṃ yudhi nipātitam tasya me kuru sācivyaṃ tasya bhāryāpahāraṇe|

O dear, Rama who is capable of doing difficult deeds has killed my sentinels. The indestructible Janasthana has been routed in war. Could you help me in abudcting his wife ? (That is the only way to bring him to his knees).

राक्षसेन्द्रवचश्श्रुत्वा मारीचो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.31.41।। आख्याता केन सीता सा मित्ररूपेण शत्रुणा। त्वया राक्षसशार्दूल को न नन्दति नन्दितः।।3.31.42।।

rākṣasendravacaśśrutvā mārīco vākyamabravīt ākhyātā kena sītā sā mitrarūpeṇa śatruṇā| tvayā rākṣasaśārdūla ko na nandati nanditaḥ

Having heard Ravana ,the king of demons, Maricha said these words: O king, who is that enemy of yours who, in the guise of a friend, has told you about Sita? Though obliged by you, who is he that is not happy with you, O tiger among demons?

राक्षसेन्द्रवचश्श्रुत्वा मारीचो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.31.41।। आख्याता केन सीता सा मित्ररूपेण शत्रुणा। त्वया राक्षसशार्दूल को न नन्दति नन्दितः।।3.31.42।।

rākṣasendravacaśśrutvā mārīco vākyamabravīt ākhyātā kena sītā sā mitrarūpeṇa śatruṇā| tvayā rākṣasaśārdūla ko na nandati nanditaḥ

Having heard Ravana ,the king of demons, Maricha said these words: O king, who is that enemy of yours who, in the guise of a friend, has told you about Sita? Though obliged by you, who is he that is not happy with you, O tiger among demons?

सीतामिहानयस्वेति को ब्रवीति ब्रवीहि मे। रक्षोलोकस्य सर्वस्य कश्शृङ्गं छेत्तुमिच्छति।।3.31.43।।

sītāmihānayasveti ko bravīti bravīhi me| rakṣolokasya sarvasya kaśśṛṅgaṃ chettumicchati

Tell me who asked you to bring Sita ? Who wishes to demolish the peak of the entire clan of demons ?

प्रोत्साहयति कश्च त्वां स च शत्रुरसंशयः। अशीविषमुखाद्दंष्ट्रामुद्धर्तुं चेच्छति त्वया।।3.31.44।।

protsāhayati kaśca tvāṃ sa ca śatrurasaṃśayaḥ| aśīviṣamukhāddaṃṣṭrāmuddhartuṃ cecchati tvayā

He who has encouraged you in this is your enemy, indeed. He wants you to pluck out the fangs from the serpent's mouth.

कर्मणा केन केनासि कापथं प्रतिपादितः। सुखसुप्तस्य ते राजन् प्रहृतं केन मूर्धनि।।3.31.45।।

karmaṇā kena kenāsi kāpathaṃ pratipāditaḥ| sukhasuptasya te rājan prahṛtaṃ kena mūrdhani

By whose action have you been led into this wrong direction? Who has hit you on your forehead while you were sleeping comfortably?

विशुद्धवंशाभिजनाग्रहस्त स्तेजोमदस्संस्थितदोर्विषाणः। उदीक्षितुं रावण नेह युक्तः स संयुगे राघवगन्धहस्ती।।3.31.46।।

viśuddhavaṃśābhijanāgrahasta stejomadassaṃsthitadorviṣāṇaḥ| udīkṣituṃ rāvaṇa neha yuktaḥ sa saṃyuge rāghavagandhahastī

Rama is like a mighty tusker. His pure and high birth is his trunk. His wellbuilt and strong arms are his tusks. His brilliance in his ichor. Nobody can face this intoxicated elephant in battle.

असौ रणान्तः स्थितिसंधिवालो विदग्धरक्षोमृगहा नृसिंहः। सुप्तस्त्वया बोधयितुं न युक्तः शराङ्गपूर्णो निशितासिदंष्ट्रः।।3.31.47।।

asau raṇāntaḥ sthitisaṃdhivālo vidagdharakṣomṛgahā nṛsiṃhaḥ| suptastvayā bodhayituṃ na yuktaḥ śarāṅgapūrṇo niśitāsidaṃṣṭraḥ

Rama is a lion in the form of man, a lion on warfront with its tail touching the waist when angry. This lion is deft in killing deer in the form of clever demons. His body is full of arrows. The sharp swords are his pointed teeth. It does not behove you to rouse such a lion who is asleep.

चापापहारे भुजवेगपङ्के शरोर्मिमाले सुमहाहवौघे। न रामपातालमुखेऽतिघोरे प्रस्कन्दितुं राक्षसराज युक्तम्।।3.31.48।।

cāpāpahāre bhujavegapaṅke śarormimāle sumahāhavaughe| na rāmapātālamukhe'tighore praskandituṃ rākṣasarāja yuktam

O king of demons it is not proper (for you) to jump into the extremely fierce mouth of the nether world known as Rama. Who can steal the bow from his mighty arms which are whirlpools of mud. His arrows are rows of waves in the flow of the great war.

प्रसीद लङ्केश्वर राक्षसेन्द्र लङ्कां प्रसन्नो भव साधु गच्छ। त्वं स्वेषु दारेषु रमस्व नित्यं रामस्सभार्यो रमतां वनेषु।।3.31.49।।

prasīda laṅkeśvara rākṣasendra laṅkāṃ prasanno bhava sādhu gaccha| tvaṃ sveṣu dāreṣu ramasva nityaṃ rāmassabhāryo ramatāṃ vaneṣu

O lord of Lanka, chief of the demons, be pleased to return to Lanka and enjoy yourself in the company of your wives. Let Rama enjoy with his wife in the forest.

एवमुक्तो दशग्रीवो मारीचेन स रावणः। न्यवर्तत पुरीं लङ्कां विवेश च गृहोत्तमम्।।3.31.50।।

evamukto daśagrīvo mārīcena sa rāvaṇaḥ| nyavartata purīṃ laṅkāṃ viveśa ca gṛhottamam

Thus advised by Maricha ,the ten headed Ravana returned and entered his best of homes in the city of Lanka . इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे एकत्रिंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the thirtyfirst sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.