Aranya Kanda, Sarga 49

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा दशग्रीवः प्रतापवाम्। हस्ते हस्तं समाहत्य चकार सुमहद्वपुः।।3.49.1।।

sītāyā vacanaṃ śrutvā daśagrīvaḥ pratāpavām| haste hastaṃ samāhatya cakāra sumahadvapuḥ

On hearing the Sita's words, the powerful Ravana struck his palms one over the other and assumed a huge form (original figure).

स मैथिलीं पुनर्वाक्यं बभाषे च ततो भृशम्। नोन्मत्तया श्रुतौ मन्ये मम वीर्यपराक्रमौ।।3.49.2।।

sa maithilīṃ punarvākyaṃ babhāṣe ca tato bhṛśam| nonmattayā śrutau manye mama vīryaparākramau

Ravana again said to that princess from Mithila, I suppose you are too insane to disregard my strength and valour.

उद्वहेयं भुजाभ्यां तु मेदिनीमम्बरे स्थितः। आपिबेयं समुद्रं च हन्यां मृत्युं रणे स्थितः।।3.49.3।।

udvaheyaṃ bhujābhyāṃ tu medinīmambare sthitaḥ| āpibeyaṃ samudraṃ ca hanyāṃ mṛtyuṃ raṇe sthitaḥ

Standing in the sky, I can lift the earth with my arms. I can drink the oceans. I can kill even the god of death in a combat.

अर्कं ऱुन्ध्यां शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्विभिन्द्या हि महीतलम्। कामरूपिणमुन्मत्ते पश्य मां कामदं पतिम्।।3.49.4।।

arkaṃ ṟundhyāṃ śaraistīkṣṇairvibhindyā hi mahītalam| kāmarūpiṇamunmatte paśya māṃ kāmadaṃ patim

I can obstruct the Sun and shatter the earth with my sharp arrows. O mad woman I am a husband who can fulfil your desires, and can assume any form at my own free will. Look at me.

एवमुक्तवतस्तस्य सूर्यकल्पे शिखिप्रभे। क्रुद्धस्य हरिपर्यन्ते रक्ते नेत्रे बभूवतुः।।3.49.5।।

evamuktavatastasya sūryakalpe śikhiprabhe| kruddhasya hariparyante rakte netre babhūvatuḥ

As Ravana exploded in anger, his ambercoloured eyes turned red like the radiance of the flaming fire, and almost as bright as the Sun.

सद्यस्सौम्यं परित्यज्य भिक्षुरूपं स रावणः। स्वं रूपं कालरूपाभं भेजे वैश्रवणानुजः।।3.49.6।।

sadyassaumyaṃ parityajya bhikṣurūpaṃ sa rāvaṇaḥ| svaṃ rūpaṃ kālarūpābhaṃ bheje vaiśravaṇānujaḥ

Ravana, brother of Kubera, shed the gentle figure of a mendicant and assumed the form of the god of death.

संरक्तनयनश्श्रीमांस्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणः। क्रोधेन महताविष्टो नीलजीमूतसन्निभः।।3.49.7।। दशास्यः कार्मुकी बाणी बभूव क्षणदाचरः।

saṃraktanayanaśśrīmāṃstaptakāñcanabhūṣaṇaḥ| krodhena mahatāviṣṭo nīlajīmūtasannibhaḥ daśāsyaḥ kārmukī bāṇī babhūva kṣaṇadācaraḥ|

Overcome by intense anger, Ravana's eyes reddened. The nightranger, stood armed with bow and arrows and shining with glittering gold ornaments, appeared like a black cloud.

स परिव्राजकच्छद्म महाकायो विहाय तत्।।3.49.8।। प्रतिपद्य स्वकं रूपं रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। संरक्तनयनः क्रोधाज्जीमूतनिचयप्रभः।।3.49.9।। रक्ताम्बरधरस्तस्थौ स्त्रीरत्नं प्रेक्ष्य मैथिलीम्।

sa parivrājakacchadma mahākāyo vihāya tat pratipadya svakaṃ rūpaṃ rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| saṃraktanayanaḥ krodhājjīmūtanicayaprabhaḥ raktāmbaradharastasthau strīratnaṃ prekṣya maithilīm|

Ravana, chief of the demons, shed the mendicant's form and assumed his real self. Clad in red garments, his eyes turned red in anger. Looking like layers of clouds, he stood in front of Sita, a gem among women.

स परिव्राजकच्छद्म महाकायो विहाय तत्।।3.49.8।। प्रतिपद्य स्वकं रूपं रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। संरक्तनयनः क्रोधाज्जीमूतनिचयप्रभः।।3.49.9।। रक्ताम्बरधरस्तस्थौ स्त्रीरत्नं प्रेक्ष्य मैथिलीम्।

sa parivrājakacchadma mahākāyo vihāya tat pratipadya svakaṃ rūpaṃ rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| saṃraktanayanaḥ krodhājjīmūtanicayaprabhaḥ raktāmbaradharastasthau strīratnaṃ prekṣya maithilīm|

Ravana, chief of the demons, shed the mendicant's form and assumed his real self. Clad in red garments, his eyes turned red in anger. Looking like layers of clouds, he stood in front of Sita, a gem among women.

स तामसितकेशान्तां भास्करस्य प्रभामिव।।3.49.10।। वसनाभरणोपेतां मैथिलीं रावणोऽब्रवीत्।

sa tāmasitakeśāntāṃ bhāskarasya prabhāmiva vasanābharaṇopetāṃ maithilīṃ rāvaṇo'bravīt|

Ravana said to the princess from Mithila, whose black hair was shining, who was luminous like the Sun and was clad in the best of clothes and ornaments.

त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातं यदि भर्तारमिच्छसि।।3.49.11।। मामाश्रय वरारोहे तवाहं सदृशः पतिः।

triṣu lokeṣu vikhyātaṃ yadi bhartāramicchasi māmāśraya varārohe tavāhaṃ sadṛśaḥ patiḥ|

O beautiful lady if you desire a husband who is famous in the three worlds, take refuge in me. I am fit to be your husband.

मां भजस्व चिराय त्वमहं श्लाघ्यः प्रियस्तव।।3.49.12।। नैव चाहं क्वचिद्भद्रे करिष्ये तव विप्रियम्। त्यज्यतां मानुषे भावो मयि भावः प्रणीयताम्।।3.49.13।।

māṃ bhajasva cirāya tvamahaṃ ślāghyaḥ priyastava naiva cāhaṃ kvacidbhadre kariṣye tava vipriyam| tyajyatāṃ mānuṣe bhāvo mayi bhāvaḥ praṇīyatām

I am your praiseworthy husband. I will not cause any unpleasantness to you at any time. Abandon on your inclination towards, a (mere) mortal. Divert your love to me.

मां भजस्व चिराय त्वमहं श्लाघ्यः प्रियस्तव।।3.49.12।। नैव चाहं क्वचिद्भद्रे करिष्ये तव विप्रियम्। त्यज्यतां मानुषे भावो मयि भावः प्रणीयताम्।।3.49.13।।

māṃ bhajasva cirāya tvamahaṃ ślāghyaḥ priyastava naiva cāhaṃ kvacidbhadre kariṣye tava vipriyam| tyajyatāṃ mānuṣe bhāvo mayi bhāvaḥ praṇīyatām

I am your praiseworthy husband. I will not cause any unpleasantness to you at any time. Abandon on your inclination towards, a (mere) mortal. Divert your love to me.

राज्याच्च्युतमसिद्धार्थं रामं परिमितायुषम्। कैर्गुणैरनुरक्तासि मूढे पण्डितमानिनि।।3.49.14।। यः स्त्रिया वचनाद्राज्यं विहाय ससुहृज्जनम्। अस्मिन्व्यालानुचरिते वने वसति दुर्मतिः।।3.49.15।।

rājyāccyutamasiddhārthaṃ rāmaṃ parimitāyuṣam| kairguṇairanuraktāsi mūḍhe paṇḍitamānini yaḥ striyā vacanādrājyaṃ vihāya sasuhṛjjanam| asminvyālānucarite vane vasati durmatiḥ

O stupid woman you think you are very wise. What is there in Rama so that you are attached to him ? He has left the kingdom and his kith and kin due to the words of a woman. He has not accomplished anything (in life). He has a limited life span and now lives in this forest haunted by wild animals.

राज्याच्च्युतमसिद्धार्थं रामं परिमितायुषम्। कैर्गुणैरनुरक्तासि मूढे पण्डितमानिनि।।3.49.14।। यः स्त्रिया वचनाद्राज्यं विहाय ससुहृज्जनम्। अस्मिन्व्यालानुचरिते वने वसति दुर्मतिः।।3.49.15।।

rājyāccyutamasiddhārthaṃ rāmaṃ parimitāyuṣam| kairguṇairanuraktāsi mūḍhe paṇḍitamānini yaḥ striyā vacanādrājyaṃ vihāya sasuhṛjjanam| asminvyālānucarite vane vasati durmatiḥ

O stupid woman you think you are very wise. What is there in Rama so that you are attached to him ? He has left the kingdom and his kith and kin due to the words of a woman. He has not accomplished anything (in life). He has a limited life span and now lives in this forest haunted by wild animals.

इत्युक्त्वा मैथिलीं वाक्यं प्रियार्हां प्रियवादिनीम्। अभिगम्य सुदुष्टात्मा राक्षसः काममोहितः।।3.49.16।। जग्राह रावणस्सीतां बुधः खे रोहिणीमिव।

ityuktvā maithilīṃ vākyaṃ priyārhāṃ priyavādinīm| abhigamya suduṣṭātmā rākṣasaḥ kāmamohitaḥ jagrāha rāvaṇassītāṃ budhaḥ khe rohiṇīmiva|

Just as Budha (planet Mercury) catches Rohini (a cluster of five stars) in the sky, the evilminded, infatuated Ravana advanced towards the pitiable, pleasing Sita and caught hold of her.

वामेन सीतां पद्माक्षीं मूर्धजेषु करेण सः।।3.49.17।। ऊर्वोस्तु दक्षिणेनैव परिजग्राह पाणिना।

vāmena sītāṃ padmākṣīṃ mūrdhajeṣu kareṇa saḥ ūrvostu dakṣiṇenaiva parijagrāha pāṇinā|

Ravana seized with his left hand the lotuseyed Sita by the hair and lifted her by the thighs with his right hand.

तं दृष्ट्वा मृत्युसङ्काशं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं महाभुजम्।।3.49.18।। प्राद्रवन्गिरिसङ्काशं भयार्ता वनदेवताः।

taṃ dṛṣṭvā mṛtyusaṅkāśaṃ tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraṃ mahābhujam prādravangirisaṅkāśaṃ bhayārtā vanadevatāḥ|

The sylvan deities fled out of fear on seeing the dreadful appearance of Ravana who had sharp teeth and mighty arms. He looked like a mountain, a veritable god of death.

स च मायामयो दिव्यः खरयुक्तः खरस्वनः।।3.49.19।। प्रत्यदृश्यत हेमाङ्गो रावणस्य महारथः।

sa ca māyāmayo divyaḥ kharayuktaḥ kharasvanaḥ pratyadṛśyata hemāṅgo rāvaṇasya mahārathaḥ|

There arrived the great golden chariot of Ravana, illusive and wonderful, harnessed with donkeys and braying like donkeys.

ततस्तां परुषैर्वाक्यैर्भर्त्सयन्स महास्वनः।।3.49.20।। अङ्केनादाय वैदेहीं रथमारोपयत्तदा।

tatastāṃ paruṣairvākyairbhartsayansa mahāsvanaḥ aṅkenādāya vaidehīṃ rathamāropayattadā|

Reproaching the princess from Videha loudly and harshly, Ravana took her on his lap and put her on the chariot.

सा गृहीता विचुक्रोश रावणेन यशस्स्विनी।।3.49.21।। रामेति सीता दुःखार्ता रामं दूरगतंवने।

sā gṛhītā vicukrośa rāvaṇena yaśassvinī rāmeti sītā duḥkhārtā rāmaṃ dūragataṃvane|

Seized by Ravana, illustrious Sita screamed aloud Alas, Rama. for one who was far away in the forest.

तामकामां स कामार्तः पन्नगेन्द्रवधूमिव।।3.49.22।। विवेष्टमानामादाय उत्पपाताथ रावणः।

tāmakāmāṃ sa kāmārtaḥ pannagendravadhūmiva viveṣṭamānāmādāya utpapātātha rāvaṇaḥ|

Passionate Ravana took hold of Sita who was not willing and was writhing in pain. He seized her like (an eagle carrying away) a serpent queen and flew up.

ततस्सा राक्षसेन्द्रेण ह्रियमाणा विहायसा।।3.49.23।। भृशं चुक्रोश मत्तेव भ्रान्तचित्ता यथाऽऽतुरा।

tatassā rākṣasendreṇa hriyamāṇā vihāyasā bhṛśaṃ cukrośa matteva bhrāntacittā yathā''turā|

While Sita was being carried off in the sky by the king of demons, she screamed a lot in agony and anxiety like a mad woman in a bewildered state:

हा लक्ष्मण महाबाहो गुरुचित्तप्रसादक।।3.49.24।। ह्रियमाणां न जानीषे रक्षसा माममर्षिणा।

hā lakṣmaṇa mahābāho gurucittaprasādaka hriyamāṇāṃ na jānīṣe rakṣasā māmamarṣiṇā|

Alas, O longarmed Lakshmana, you who used to entertain your brother do not know that I am being carried away by this ruthless demon.

जीवितं सुखमर्थांश्च धर्महेतोः परित्यजन्।।3.49.25।। ह्रियमाणामधर्मेण मां राघव न पश्यसि।

jīvitaṃ sukhamarthāṃśca dharmahetoḥ parityajan hriyamāṇāmadharmeṇa māṃ rāghava na paśyasi|

O Rama, you have given up your life, pleasure and treasure for the sake of righteousness. Do you not see me carried off by an unrighteous fellow ?

ननु नामाविनीतानां विनेतासि परन्तप।।3.49.26।। कथमेवंविधं पापं न त्वं शासि हि रावणम्।

nanu nāmāvinītānāṃ vinetāsi parantapa kathamevaṃvidhaṃ pāpaṃ na tvaṃ śāsi hi rāvaṇam|

O scorcher of enemies you are the chastiser of the haughty. Why do you not punish such a sinner like Ravana.

ननु सद्योऽविनीतस्य दृश्यते कर्मणःफलम्।।3.49.27।। कालोऽप्यङ्गीभवत्यत्र सस्यानामिव पक्तये।

nanu sadyo'vinītasya dṛśyate karmaṇaḥphalam kālo'pyaṅgībhavatyatra sasyānāmiva paktaye|

The effect of arrogant action cannot be seen right away. Just as the crop yields results only after ripening, in the same way it takes time. Time acts as a supporting factor.

त्वं कर्म कृतवानेतत्कालोपहतचेतनः।।3.49.28।। जीवितान्तकरं घोरं रामाद्व्यसनमाप्नुहि।

tvaṃ karma kṛtavānetatkālopahatacetanaḥ jīvitāntakaraṃ ghoraṃ rāmādvyasanamāpnuhi|

Time has taken a toll of your senses. This has made you do what you have done. A great calamity is awaiting you in the hands of Rama. It will end your life.

हन्तेदानीं सकामास्तु कैकेयी सह बान्धवैः।।3.49.29।। ह्रिये यद्धर्मकामस्य धर्मपत्नी यशस्विनः।

hantedānīṃ sakāmāstu kaikeyī saha bāndhavaiḥ hriye yaddharmakāmasya dharmapatnī yaśasvinaḥ|

Alas, the lawful wife of the glorious and righteous Rama is being abducted now. Let Kaikeyi along with her relations be happy with her desire fulfilled.

आमन्त्रये जनस्थाने कर्णिकारान्सुपुष्पितान्।।3.49.30।। क्षिप्रं रामाय शंसध्वं सीतां हरति रावणः।

āmantraye janasthāne karṇikārānsupuṣpitān kṣipraṃ rāmāya śaṃsadhvaṃ sītāṃ harati rāvaṇaḥ|

O karnikar trees in full bloom in Janasthana, tell Rama quickly that Ravana is kidnapping Sita.

माल्यवन्तं शिखरिणं वन्दे प्रस्रवणं गिरिम्।।3.49.31।। क्षिप्रं रामाय शंस त्वं सीतां हरति रावणः।

mālyavantaṃ śikhariṇaṃ vande prasravaṇaṃ girim kṣipraṃ rāmāya śaṃsa tvaṃ sītāṃ harati rāvaṇaḥ|

I salute to Malyavan and Prasravana mountains. Tell Rama at once that Ravana is carrying away Sita.

हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णां वन्दे गोदावरीं नदीम्।।3.49.32।। क्षिप्रं रामाय शंस त्वं सीतां हरति रावणः।

haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāṃ vande godāvarīṃ nadīm kṣipraṃ rāmāya śaṃsa tvaṃ sītāṃ harati rāvaṇaḥ|

O river Godavari abounding in swans and cranes, my salutations to you Tell Rama immediately that Ravana is taking away Sita.

दैवतानि च यान्यस्मिन्वने विविधपादपे।।3.49.33।। नमस्करोम्यहं तेभ्योभर्तुश्शंसत मां हृताम्।

daivatāni ca yānyasminvane vividhapādape namaskaromyahaṃ tebhyobhartuśśaṃsata māṃ hṛtām|

I offer my salutations to different deities residing in this forest abounding in trees of many kinds. Tell my husband about me that I am being whisked away.

यानि कानि चिदप्यत्र सत्त्वानि निवसन्त्युत।।3.49.34।। सर्वाणि शरणं यामि मृगपक्षिगणानपि।

yāni kāni cidapyatra sattvāni nivasantyuta sarvāṇi śaraṇaṃ yāmi mṛgapakṣigaṇānapi|

I seek refuge in all those living beings as well as herds of animals and birds in the forest.

ह्रियमाणां प्रियां भर्तुः प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम्।।3.49.35।। विवशाऽपहृता सीता रावणेनेति शंसत।

hriyamāṇāṃ priyāṃ bhartuḥ prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasīm vivaśā'pahṛtā sītā rāvaṇeneti śaṃsata|

Tell Rama that his dear wife Sita whom he loves more than his life is abducted helplessly.

विदित्वा मां महाबाहुरमुत्रापि महाबलः।।3.49.36।। आनेष्यति पराक्रम्य वैवस्वतहृतामपि।

viditvā māṃ mahābāhuramutrāpi mahābalaḥ āneṣyati parākramya vaivasvatahṛtāmapi|

If he knows that I am abducted by Yama, the god of death, that mighty, longarmed hero will save me even from there by virtue of his valour.

सा तदा करुणा वाचो विलपन्ती सुदुःखिता।।3.49.37।। वनस्पतिगतं गृध्रं ददर्शाऽयतलोचना।

sā tadā karuṇā vāco vilapantī suduḥkhitā vanaspatigataṃ gṛdhraṃ dadarśā'yatalocanā|

When the griefstricken, largeeyed Sita was lamenting piteously, she saw the vulture (Jatayu) seated on a tree.

सा तमुद्वीक्ष्य सुश्रोणी रावणस्य वशं गता।3.49.38।। समाक्रन्दद्भयपरा दुःखोपहतया गिरा।

sā tamudvīkṣya suśroṇī rāvaṇasya vaśaṃ gatā|3.49.38|| samākrandadbhayaparā duḥkhopahatayā girā|

The heavyhipped Sita felt frightened in the grip of Ravana. When she saw Jatayu she screamed, shaken by sorrow:

जटायो पश्य मामद्य ह्रियमाणामनाथवत्।।3.49.39।। अनेन राक्षसेन्द्रेण करुणं पापकर्मणा।

jaṭāyo paśya māmadya hriyamāṇāmanāthavat anena rākṣasendreṇa karuṇaṃ pāpakarmaṇā|

O Jatayu, see me now being carried away by the sinful king of demons in this pitiable condition as though I am an orphan.

नैष वारयितुं शक्यस्तव क्रूरो निशाचरः।।3.49.40।। सत्त्वाञ्जितकाशी च सायुधश्चैव दुर्मतिः।

naiṣa vārayituṃ śakyastava krūro niśācaraḥ sattvāñjitakāśī ca sāyudhaścaiva durmatiḥ|

This nightranger is equipped with weapons. Cruel, strong and evilminded, he has won wars. You cannot stop him.

रामाय तु यथातत्त्वं जटायो हरणं मम।।3.49.41।। लक्ष्मणाय च तत्सर्वमाख्यातव्यमशेषतः।

rāmāya tu yathātattvaṃ jaṭāyo haraṇaṃ mama lakṣmaṇāya ca tatsarvamākhyātavyamaśeṣataḥ|

O Jatayu narrate to Rama and Lakshmana the exact facts of my abduction and all the details without any omission. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनपञ्चाशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fortyninth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.