Aranya Kanda, Sarga 47

रावणेन तु वैदेही तदा पृष्टा जिहीर्षता। परिव्राजकरूपेण शशंसात्मानमात्मना।।3.47.1।।

rāvaṇena tu vaidehī tadā pṛṣṭā jihīrṣatā| parivrājakarūpeṇa śaśaṃsātmānamātmanā

Then Ravana in the guise of a mendicant with crooked intention to abduct her, asked Vaidehi to tell him about herself.

ब्राह्मणश्चातिथिश्चायमनुक्तो हि शपेत माम्। इति ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं तु सीता वचनमब्रवीत्।।3.47.2।।

brāhmaṇaścātithiścāyamanukto hi śapeta mām| iti dhyātvā muhūrtaṃ tu sītā vacanamabravīt

'He is a brahmin and also a guest. If unanswered he may curse me'. Thinking this Sita thought for a moment and said:

दुहिता जनकस्याहं मैथिलस्य महात्मनः। सीता नाम्नास्मि भद्रं ते रामभार्या द्विजोत्तम।।3.47.3।।

duhitā janakasyāhaṃ maithilasya mahātmanaḥ| sītā nāmnāsmi bhadraṃ te rāmabhāryā dvijottama

O best of brahmins be pleased to know I am Sita by name, daughter of the great Janaka, king of Mithila and wife of Rama.

उषित्वा द्वादश समा इक्ष्वाकुणां निवेशने। भुञ्जाना मानुषान्भोगान्सर्वकामसमृद्धिनी।।3.47.4।।

uṣitvā dvādaśa samā ikṣvākuṇāṃ niveśane| bhuñjānā mānuṣānbhogānsarvakāmasamṛddhinī

I lived in the house of the Ikshvakus for twelve years and enjoyed all kinds of pleasures meant for mortals.

ततस्त्रयोदशे वर्षे राजामन्त्रयत प्रभुः। अभिषेचयितुं रामं समेतो राजमन्त्रिभिः।।3.47.5।।

tatastrayodaśe varṣe rājāmantrayata prabhuḥ| abhiṣecayituṃ rāmaṃ sameto rājamantribhiḥ

In the thirteenth year, the king and lord Dasaratha consulted other kings and ministers to consecrate Rama.

तस्मिन्सम्भ्रियमाणे तु राघवस्याभिषेचने। कैकेयी नाम भर्तारमार्या सा याचते वरम्।।3.47.6।।

tasminsambhriyamāṇe tu rāghavasyābhiṣecane| kaikeyī nāma bhartāramāryā sā yācate varam

Arrangements for consecration were on when queen Kaikeyi sought a boon from the king.

प्रतिगृह्य तु कैकेयी श्वशुरं सुकृतेन मे। मम प्रव्राजनं भर्तुर्भरतस्याभिषेचनम्।।3.47.7।। द्वावयाचत भर्तारं सत्यसन्धं नृपोत्तमम्।

pratigṛhya tu kaikeyī śvaśuraṃ sukṛtena me| mama pravrājanaṃ bharturbharatasyābhiṣecanam dvāvayācata bhartāraṃ satyasandhaṃ nṛpottamam|

For the fulfilment of the promise made to Kaikeyi earlier by my truthful fatherin law, who, to my good luck, was the best of kings, she asked for two boons. One was banishment of my husband and second, consecration of Bharata.

नाद्य भोक्ष्ये न च स्वप्स्ये न पास्येच कथञ्चन।।3.47.8।। एष मे जीवितस्यान्तो रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते।

nādya bhokṣye na ca svapsye na pāsyeca kathañcana eṣa me jīvitasyānto rāmo yadyabhiṣicyate|

'I shall not eat, or sleep or even drink if Rama is consecrated and I shall put an end to my life itself' (said Kaikeyi).

इति ब्रुवाणां कैकेयीं श्वशुरो मे स मानदः।।3.47.9।। अयाचतार्थैरन्वर्थैर्न च याञ्चां चकार सा।

iti bruvāṇāṃ kaikeyīṃ śvaśuro me sa mānadaḥ ayācatārthairanvarthairna ca yāñcāṃ cakāra sā|

The king, my fatherinlaw, who respected her offered riches. Which she did not accept.

मम भर्तामहातेजा वयसा पञ्चविंशकः।।3.47.10।। अष्टादश हि वर्षाणि मम जन्मनि गण्यते।

mama bhartāmahātejā vayasā pañcaviṃśakaḥ aṣṭādaśa hi varṣāṇi mama janmani gaṇyate|

My husband who was very bold was twentyfive years and I had completed eighteen years since my birth.

रामेति प्रथितो लोके गुणवान्सत्यवान्शुचिः।।3.47.11।। विशालाक्षो महाबाहुस्सर्वभूतहिते रतः।

rāmeti prathito loke guṇavānsatyavānśuciḥ viśālākṣo mahābāhussarvabhūtahite rataḥ|

My husband known in the world as Rama is largeeyed, longarmed, virtuous, truthful, pure and is always engaged in the welfare of all beings.

कामार्तस्तु महातेजाः पिता दशरथस्स्वयम्।।3.47.12।। कैकेय्याः प्रियकामार्थं तं रामं नाभ्यषेचयत्।

kāmārtastu mahātejāḥ pitā daśarathassvayam kaikeyyāḥ priyakāmārthaṃ taṃ rāmaṃ nābhyaṣecayat|

The brilliant king, Dasaratha, father of Rama, overcome by passion, did not consecrate Rama in order to please Kaikeyi.

अभिषेकाय तु पितुस्समीपं राममागतम्।।3.47.13।। कैकेयी मम भर्तारमित्युवाच धृतं वचः।

abhiṣekāya tu pitussamīpaṃ rāmamāgatam kaikeyī mama bhartāramityuvāca dhṛtaṃ vacaḥ|

When my husband Rama approached his father for the consecration she said these unhesitating words:

तव पित्रा समाज्ञप्तं ममेदं शृणु राघव।।3.47.14।। भरताय प्रदातव्यमिदं राज्यमकण्टकम्।

tava pitrā samājñaptaṃ mamedaṃ śṛṇu rāghava bharatāya pradātavyamidaṃ rājyamakaṇṭakam|

'O Rama, listen, your father has ordered that this kingdom be bestowed on Bharata without any obstacles.

त्वया हि खलु वस्तव्यं नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च।।3.47.15।। वने प्रव्रज काकुत्स्थ पितरं मोचयानृतान्।

tvayā hi khalu vastavyaṃ nava varṣāṇi pañca ca vane pravraja kākutstha pitaraṃ mocayānṛtān|

'O Rama of the Kakutstha dynasty, you should live in the forest for fourteen years and save your father from falsehood'.

तथेत्युक्त्वा च तां रामः कैकेयीमकुतोभयः।।3.47.16।। चकार तद्वचस्तस्या मम भर्ता दृढव्रतः।

tathetyuktvā ca tāṃ rāmaḥ kaikeyīmakutobhayaḥ cakāra tadvacastasyā mama bhartā dṛḍhavrataḥ|

My husband Rama, a man of fearlessness and firm resolution, said to Kaikeyi 'Be it so' and carried out her words.

दद्यान्न प्रतिगृह्णीयात्सत्यं ब्रूयान्न चानृतम्।।3.47.17।। एतद्ब्राह्मण रामस्य ध्रृवं व्रतमनुत्तमम्।

dadyānna pratigṛhṇīyātsatyaṃ brūyānna cānṛtam etadbrāhmaṇa rāmasya dhrṛvaṃ vratamanuttamam|

O brahmin this is his firm resolve and his great vow: 'One should give and never take one should speak the truth and nothing but he truth.'

तस्य भ्राता तु द्वैमात्रो लक्ष्मणो नाम वीर्यवान्।।3.47.18।। रामस्य पुरुषव्याघ्रस्सहायस्समरेरिहा।

tasya bhrātā tu dvaimātro lakṣmaṇo nāma vīryavān rāmasya puruṣavyāghrassahāyassamarerihā|

Son to the second mother of Rama, his mighty halfbrother, by name, Lakshmana, a tiger among men and a slayer of enemies in battle is a companion to him.

स भ्राता लक्ष्मणो नाम धर्मचारी दृढव्रतः।।3.47.19।। अन्वगच्छद्दनुष्पाणिः प्रव्रजन्तं मया सह।

sa bhrātā lakṣmaṇo nāma dharmacārī dṛḍhavrataḥ anvagacchaddanuṣpāṇiḥ pravrajantaṃ mayā saha|

Lakshmana, his brother, is righteous and steadfast. Bow in hand, he followed Rama along with me, into exile.

जटी तापसरूपेण मया सह सहानुजः।।3.47.20।। प्रविष्टो दण्डकारण्यं धर्मनित्यो जितेन्द्रियः।

jaṭī tāpasarūpeṇa mayā saha sahānujaḥ praviṣṭo daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ dharmanityo jitendriyaḥ|

Rama who is ever righteous and selfcontrolled entered the Dandaka forest with matted locks, his brother and me.

ते वयं प्रच्युता राज्यात्कैकेय्यास्तु कृते त्रयः।।3.47.21।। विचरामो द्विजश्रेष्ठ वनं गम्भीरमोजसा।

te vayaṃ pracyutā rājyātkaikeyyāstu kṛte trayaḥ vicarāmo dvijaśreṣṭha vanaṃ gambhīramojasā|

O best of brahmins three of us have been wandering with courage in the deep forest, dislodged from the kingdom on account of Kaikeyi.

समाश्वस मुहूर्तं तु शक्यं वस्तुमिह त्वया।।3.47.22।। आगमिष्यति मे भर्ता वन्यमादाय पुष्कलम्। रुरून्गोधा न्वराहांश्च हत्वाऽदायाऽमिषान्बहून्।।3.47.23।।

samāśvasa muhūrtaṃ tu śakyaṃ vastumiha tvayā āgamiṣyati me bhartā vanyamādāya puṣkalam| rurūngodhā nvarāhāṃśca hatvā'dāyā'miṣānbahūn

Rest here awhile. My husband will return with plenty of meat of many kinds from the forest, killing deer, alligators and wild boars.

समाश्वस मुहूर्तं तु शक्यं वस्तुमिह त्वया।।3.47.22।। आगमिष्यति मे भर्ता वन्यमादाय पुष्कलम्। रुरून्गोधा न्वराहांश्च हत्वाऽदायाऽमिषान्बहून्।।3.47.23।।

samāśvasa muhūrtaṃ tu śakyaṃ vastumiha tvayā āgamiṣyati me bhartā vanyamādāya puṣkalam| rurūngodhā nvarāhāṃśca hatvā'dāyā'miṣānbahūn

Rest here awhile. My husband will return with plenty of meat of many kinds from the forest, killing deer, alligators and wild boars.

स त्वं नाम च गोत्रञ्च कुलं चाचक्ष्व तत्त्वतः। एकश्च दण्डकारण्ये किमर्थं चरसि द्विज।।3.47.24।।

sa tvaṃ nāma ca gotrañca kulaṃ cācakṣva tattvataḥ| ekaśca daṇḍakāraṇye kimarthaṃ carasi dvija

O brahmin, tell me your name, your gotra and your pedigree. And the purpose for which you are going about all alone in this Dandaka forest

एवं बृवन्त्यां सीतायां रामपत्न्यां महाबलः। प्रत्युवाचोत्तरं तीव्रं रावणो राक्षसाधिपः।।3.47.25।।

evaṃ bṛvantyāṃ sītāyāṃ rāmapatnyāṃ mahābalaḥ| pratyuvācottaraṃ tīvraṃ rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ

To these words of Sita, Rama's wife, Ravana, the powerful king of demons, replied sharp:

येन वित्रासिता लोकास्सदेवासुरपन्नगाः। अहं तु रावणो नाम सीते रक्षोगणेश्वरः।।3.47.26।।

yena vitrāsitā lokāssadevāsurapannagāḥ| ahaṃ tu rāvaṇo nāma sīte rakṣogaṇeśvaraḥ

O Sita I am called Ravana, the lord of demons by whom all the worlds of demons, snakes and gods are frightened.

त्वां तु काञ्चनवर्णाभां दृष्ट्वा कौशेयवासिनीम्। रतिं स्वकेषु दारेषु नाधिगच्छाम्यनिन्दिते।।3.47.27।।

tvāṃ tu kāñcanavarṇābhāṃ dṛṣṭvā kauśeyavāsinīm| ratiṃ svakeṣu dāreṣu nādhigacchāmyanindite

O flawless beauty of golden complexion seeing you clad in silk, I am not inclined to show any interest in my own wives.

बह्वीनामुत्तमस्त्रीणामाहृतानामितस्ततः। सर्वासामेव भद्रं ते ममाग्रमहिषी भव।।3.47.28।।

bahvīnāmuttamastrīṇāmāhṛtānāmitastataḥ| sarvāsāmeva bhadraṃ te mamāgramahiṣī bhava

You will be the chief queen among the best of women I have won in wars. Be blessed.

लङ्कानाम समुद्रस्य मम मध्ये महापुरी। सागरेण परिक्षिस्ता निविष्टा नगमूर्धनि।।3.47.29।।

laṅkānāma samudrasya mama madhye mahāpurī| sāgareṇa parikṣistā niviṣṭā nagamūrdhani

My great city called Lanka is on the peak of a mountain surrounded by, and in the middle of, the sea.

तत्र सीते मया सार्धं वनेषु विहरिष्यसि। न चास्यारण्यवासस्य स्पृहयिष्यसि भामिनि।।3.47.30।।

tatra sīte mayā sārdhaṃ vaneṣu vihariṣyasi| na cāsyāraṇyavāsasya spṛhayiṣyasi bhāmini

O Sita, you can stroll with me in my pleasuregardens. O beautiful lady, you will not like living in the forest (thereafter).

पञ्च दास्यस्सहस्राणि सर्वाभरणभूषिताः। सीते परिचरिष्यन्ति भार्या भवसि मे यदि।।3.47.31।।

pañca dāsyassahasrāṇi sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ| sīte paricariṣyanti bhāryā bhavasi me yadi

O Sita if you become my wife, five thousand female attendants adorned with all ornaments will attend on you.

रावणेनैवमुक्ता तु कुपिता जनकात्मजा। प्रत्युवाचानवद्याङ्गी तमनादृत्य राक्षसम्।।3.47.32।।

rāvaṇenaivamuktā tu kupitā janakātmajā| pratyuvācānavadyāṅgī tamanādṛtya rākṣasam

Thus addressed by Ravana, Janaki, a lady of blemishless limbs, got enraged and replied without caring for the demon:

महागिरिमिवाकम्प्यं महेन्द्रसदृशं पतिम्। महोदधिमिवाक्षोभ्यमहं राममनुव्रता।।3.47.33।।

mahāgirimivākampyaṃ mahendrasadṛśaṃ patim| mahodadhimivākṣobhyamahaṃ rāmamanuvratā

I am devoted to Rama, my husband, who is unshakeable like a huge mountain, is comparable to lord Indra and is imperturbable like the mighty ocean.

सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नं न्यग्रोधपरिमण्डलम्। सत्यसन्धं महाभागमहं राममनुव्रता।।3.47.34।।

sarvalakṣaṇasampannaṃ nyagrodhaparimaṇḍalam| satyasandhaṃ mahābhāgamahaṃ rāmamanuvratā

I am the loyal wife of venerable Rama who is endowed with all excellences, a refuge to all like a spreading banyan tree, and a votary of truth.

महाबाहुं महोरस्कं सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनम्। नृसिंहं सिंहसङ्काशमहं राममनुव्रता।।3.47.35।।

mahābāhuṃ mahoraskaṃ siṃhavikrāntagāminam| nṛsiṃhaṃ siṃhasaṅkāśamahaṃ rāmamanuvratā

I am the faithful wife of the longarmed, broadchested Rama, a lion among men. His gait is the gait of an advancing, invincible lion.

पूर्णचन्द्राननं रामं राजवत्सं जितेन्द्रियम्। पृथुकीर्तिं महात्मानमहं राममनुव्रता।।3.47.36।।

pūrṇacandrānanaṃ rāmaṃ rājavatsaṃ jitendriyam| pṛthukīrtiṃ mahātmānamahaṃ rāmamanuvratā

I am the devoted wife of great Rama, whose face is like a fullmoon, who is the son of a king, who has conquered his senses and whose fame is widespread (on earth).

त्वं पुनर्जम्बुकस्सिंहीं मामिच्छसि सुदुर्लभाम्। नाहं शक्या त्वया स्प्रष्टुमादित्यस्य प्रभा यथा।।3.47.37।।

tvaṃ punarjambukassiṃhīṃ māmicchasi sudurlabhām| nāhaṃ śakyā tvayā spraṣṭumādityasya prabhā yathā

You are a jackal, and you want a lioness like me who is difficult to win. I am like the Sun's radiance whom you cannot even touch.

पादपान्काञ्चनान्नूनं बहून्पश्यसि मन्दभाक्। राघपस्य प्रियां भार्यां यस्त्वमिच्छसि रावण।।3.47.38।।

pādapānkāñcanānnūnaṃ bahūnpaśyasi mandabhāk| rāghapasya priyāṃ bhāryāṃ yastvamicchasi rāvaṇa

O luckless Ravana you want the beloved wife of Rama.You will, for sure, see golden trees. (which those close to death do).

क्षुधितस्य हि सिंहस्य मृगशत्रोस्तरस्विनः। आशीविषस्य मुखाद्दंष्ट्रामादातुमिच्छसि।।3.47.39।।

kṣudhitasya hi siṃhasya mṛgaśatrostarasvinaḥ| āśīviṣasya mukhāddaṃṣṭrāmādātumicchasi

You are seeking to pull the teeth from the mouth of a hungry and powerful lion who is considered the enemy of the deer(which you are). You intend to pull the fang of a poisonous snake.

मन्दरं पर्वतश्रेष्ठं पाणिना हर्तुमिच्छसि। कालकूटं विषं पीत्वा स्वस्तिमान्गन्तुमिच्छसि।।3.47.40।।

mandaraṃ parvataśreṣṭhaṃ pāṇinā hartumicchasi| kālakūṭaṃ viṣaṃ pītvā svastimāngantumicchasi

You are trying to carry the greatest of mountains, the Mandara, with one hand. You are wishing to go safe after drinking deadly poison (produced from the churning of the ocean).

अक्षि सूच्या प्रमृजसि जिह्वया लेक्षि च क्षुरम्। राघवस्य प्रियां भार्यां योऽधिगन्तुं त्वमिच्छसि।।3.47.41।।

akṣi sūcyā pramṛjasi jihvayā lekṣi ca kṣuram| rāghavasya priyāṃ bhāryāṃ yo'dhigantuṃ tvamicchasi

You wish to violate the loving wife of Rama. You are rubbing your eyes with a needle and licking the razor with your tongue.

अवसज्य शिलां कण्ठे समुद्रं तर्तुमिच्छसि। सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ चोभौ पाणिभ्यां हर्तुमिच्छसि।।3.47.42।। यो रामस्य प्रियां भार्यां प्रधर्षयितुमिच्छसि।

avasajya śilāṃ kaṇṭhe samudraṃ tartumicchasi| sūryācandramasau cobhau pāṇibhyāṃ hartumicchasi yo rāmasya priyāṃ bhāryāṃ pradharṣayitumicchasi|

You want to assault Rama's dear wife. It is like girding a stone round the neck and trying to cross the sea.It is like intending to take the Sun and the Moon with both your hands.

अग्निं प्रज्वलितं दृष्ट्वा वस्त्रेणाहर्तुमिच्छसि।।3.47.43।। काल्याणवृत्तां रामस्य यो भार्यांहर्तुमिच्छसि।

agniṃ prajvalitaṃ dṛṣṭvā vastreṇāhartumicchasi kālyāṇavṛttāṃ rāmasya yo bhāryāṃhartumicchasi|

You intend to assaut the wife of Rama, who is a lady of virtuous conduct. You wish to hold blazing fire in your cloth.

अयोमुखानां शूलानामग्रे चरितुमिच्छसि।।3.47.44।। रामस्य सदृशीं भार्यां योऽधिगन्तुं त्वमिच्छसि।

ayomukhānāṃ śūlānāmagre caritumicchasi rāmasya sadṛśīṃ bhāryāṃ yo'dhigantuṃ tvamicchasi|

You want to acquire Rama's worthy wife. You wish to walk on sharp ironheaded spear.

यदन्तरं सिंहशृगालयोर्वने यदन्तरं स्यन्दिनिका समुद्रयोः। सुराग्र्य सौवीरकयोर्यदन्तरं तदन्तरं वै तव राघवस्य च।।3.47.45।।

yadantaraṃ siṃhaśṛgālayorvane yadantaraṃ syandinikā samudrayoḥ| surāgrya sauvīrakayoryadantaraṃ tadantaraṃ vai tava rāghavasya ca

The difference between you and Rama is the difference between a jackal and a lion in the forest, between a ditch and the sea, and between sour gruel and the best of wines.

यदन्तरं काञ्चनसीसलोहयोर्यदन्तरं चन्दनवारिपङ्कयोः। यदन्तरं हस्तिबिडालयोर्वने तदन्तरं दाशरथेस्तवैव च।।3.47.46।।

yadantaraṃ kāñcanasīsalohayoryadantaraṃ candanavāripaṅkayoḥ| yadantaraṃ hastibiḍālayorvane tadantaraṃ dāśarathestavaiva ca

The difference between you and Rama is the difference between gold and lead, sandal and slime, an elephant and a cat of the forest.

यदन्तरं वायसवैनतेययोर्यदन्तरं मद्गुमयूरयोरपि। यदन्तरं सारसगृध्रयोर्वने तदन्तरं दाशरथेस्तवैव च।।3.47.47।।

yadantaraṃ vāyasavainateyayoryadantaraṃ madgumayūrayorapi| yadantaraṃ sārasagṛdhrayorvane tadantaraṃ dāśarathestavaiva ca

The difference between you and Dasaratha's son is the difference between a crow and Garuda, a watercrane and a peacock, a vulture and a swan in the forest.

तस्मिन्सहस्राक्षसमप्रभावे रामे स्थिते कार्मुकबाणपाणौ। हृतापि तेहं न जरां गमिष्ये वज्रं यथा मक्षिकयावगीर्णम्।।3.47.48।।

tasminsahasrākṣasamaprabhāve rāme sthite kārmukabāṇapāṇau| hṛtāpi tehaṃ na jarāṃ gamiṣye vajraṃ yathā makṣikayāvagīrṇam

So long Rama, equal in prowess to the thousandeyed Indra stands with bow and arrows in hand, I will not, although abducted, wither away like a diamond gulped by an insect (fly).

इतीव तद्वाक्यमदुष्टभावा सुदुष्टमुक्त्वा रजनीचरं तम्। गात्रप्रकम्पाद्व्यथिता बभूव वातोद्धता सा कदलीव तन्वी।।3.47.49।।

itīva tadvākyamaduṣṭabhāvā suduṣṭamuktvā rajanīcaraṃ tam| gātraprakampādvyathitā babhūva vātoddhatā sā kadalīva tanvī

Having said thus to the wicked nightwalker Ravana, Sita, pure in thought remained distressed.Her slender body started trembling like a banana plant becomes shaken by a violent wind.

तां वेपमानामुपलक्ष्य सीतां स रावणो मृत्युसमप्रभावः। कुलं बलं नाम च कर्म चात्मनः समाचचक्षे भयकारणार्थम्।।3.47.50।।

tāṃ vepamānāmupalakṣya sītāṃ sa rāvaṇo mṛtyusamaprabhāvaḥ| kulaṃ balaṃ nāma ca karma cātmanaḥ samācacakṣe bhayakāraṇārtham

Beholding Sita who was trembling, Ravana, powerful like death, started telling about himself, his clan, his strength and his deeds to instil more fear in her. इत्तयार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे सप्तचत्वारिंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fortyseventh sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.