Aranya Kanda, Sarga 69

कृत्वैवमुदकं तस्मै प्रस्थितौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। अवेक्षन्तौ वने सीतां पश्चिमां जग्मतुर्दिशम्।।3.69.1।।

kṛtvaivamudakaṃ tasmai prasthitau rāmalakṣmaṇau| avekṣantau vane sītāṃ paścimāṃ jagmaturdiśam

Rama and Lakshmana offered libations (for Jatayu) and went westward, looking for Sita in the forest.

तौ दिशं दक्षिणां गत्वा शरचापासिधारिणौ। अविप्रहतमैक्ष्वाकौ पन्थानं प्रतिपेदतुः।।3.69.2।।

tau diśaṃ dakṣiṇāṃ gatvā śaracāpāsidhāriṇau| aviprahatamaikṣvākau panthānaṃ pratipedatuḥ

Wielding bow, arrows and sword, both the princes of the Ikshvaku race went southward and entered an untrodden (densely wooded) tract.

गुल्मैर्वृक्षैश्च बहुभिर्लताभिश्च प्रवेष्टितम्। आवृतं सर्वतो दुर्गं गहनं घोरदर्शनम्।।3.69.3।।

gulmairvṛkṣaiśca bahubhirlatābhiśca praveṣṭitam| āvṛtaṃ sarvato durgaṃ gahanaṃ ghoradarśanam

It was a dense, impenetrable and dreadful forest covered with shrubs, trees and creepers spread all over.

व्यतिक्रम्य तु वेगेन व्यालसिंहनिषेवितम्। सुभीमं तन्महारण्यं व्यतियातौ महाबलौ।।3.69.4।।

vyatikramya tu vegena vyālasiṃhaniṣevitam| subhīmaṃ tanmahāraṇyaṃ vyatiyātau mahābalau

The two mighty heroes swiftly forged through the great forest, which was an abode of serpents and lions.

ततः परं जनस्थानातत्रिक्रोशं गम्य राघवौ। क्रौञ्चारण्यं विविशतुर्गहनं तौ महौजसौ।।3.69.5।।

tataḥ paraṃ janasthānātatrikrośaṃ gamya rāghavau| krauñcāraṇyaṃ viviśaturgahanaṃ tau mahaujasau

Both the mighty princes of the Raghu dynasty covered a distance of three krosas from Janasthana and entered the impassable kraunchaforest.

नानामेघघनप्रख्यं प्रहृष्टमिव सर्वतः। नानापक्षिगणैर्युक्तं नानाव्यालमृगैर्युतम्।।3.69.6।। दिदृक्षमाणौ वैदेहीं तद्वनं तौ विचिक्यतुः। तत्र तत्रावतिष्ठन्तौ सीताहरणकर्शितौ।।3.69.7।।

nānāmeghaghanaprakhyaṃ prahṛṣṭamiva sarvataḥ| nānāpakṣigaṇairyuktaṃ nānāvyālamṛgairyutam didṛkṣamāṇau vaidehīṃ tadvanaṃ tau vicikyatuḥ| tatra tatrāvatiṣṭhantau sītāharaṇakarśitau

Tormented due to abduction of Sita, the two princes anxious to see her searched all over the dense forest stopping here and there on the way. The thick forest looked like a conglomeration of big clouds. It was filled with different kinds of birds, snakes and animals.

नानामेघघनप्रख्यं प्रहृष्टमिव सर्वतः। नानापक्षिगणैर्युक्तं नानाव्यालमृगैर्युतम्।।3.69.6।। दिदृक्षमाणौ वैदेहीं तद्वनं तौ विचिक्यतुः। तत्र तत्रावतिष्ठन्तौ सीताहरणकर्शितौ।।3.69.7।।

nānāmeghaghanaprakhyaṃ prahṛṣṭamiva sarvataḥ| nānāpakṣigaṇairyuktaṃ nānāvyālamṛgairyutam didṛkṣamāṇau vaidehīṃ tadvanaṃ tau vicikyatuḥ| tatra tatrāvatiṣṭhantau sītāharaṇakarśitau

Tormented due to abduction of Sita, the two princes anxious to see her searched all over the dense forest stopping here and there on the way. The thick forest looked like a conglomeration of big clouds. It was filled with different kinds of birds, snakes and animals.

ततः पूर्वेण तौ गत्वा त्रिक्रोशं भ्रातरौ तदा। क्रौञ्चारण्यमतिक्रम्य मतङ्गाश्रममन्तरा।।3.69.8।। दृष्ट्वा तु तद्वनं घोरं बहुभीममृगद्विजम्। ननासत्त्वसमाकीर्णं सर्वं गहनपादपम्।।3.69.9।। ददृशाते तु तौ तत्र दरीं दशरथात्मजौ। पातालसमगम्भीरां तमसा नित्यसंवृताम्।।3.69.10।।

tataḥ pūrveṇa tau gatvā trikrośaṃ bhrātarau tadā| krauñcāraṇyamatikramya mataṅgāśramamantarā dṛṣṭvā tu tadvanaṃ ghoraṃ bahubhīmamṛgadvijam| nanāsattvasamākīrṇaṃ sarvaṃ gahanapādapam dadṛśāte tu tau tatra darīṃ daśarathātmajau| pātālasamagambhīrāṃ tamasā nityasaṃvṛtām

Then both the sons of Dasaratha, went further east, crossed the kraunchaforest after three krosas. They saw a dreadful forest which was full of fierce animals and birds near the hermitage of sage Matanga. It was densely covered with trees. They saw there a cave perpetually enveloped in darkness which was as deep as the netherworld.

ततः पूर्वेण तौ गत्वा त्रिक्रोशं भ्रातरौ तदा। क्रौञ्चारण्यमतिक्रम्य मतङ्गाश्रममन्तरा।।3.69.8।। दृष्ट्वा तु तद्वनं घोरं बहुभीममृगद्विजम्। ननासत्त्वसमाकीर्णं सर्वं गहनपादपम्।।3.69.9।। ददृशाते तु तौ तत्र दरीं दशरथात्मजौ। पातालसमगम्भीरां तमसा नित्यसंवृताम्।।3.69.10।।

tataḥ pūrveṇa tau gatvā trikrośaṃ bhrātarau tadā| krauñcāraṇyamatikramya mataṅgāśramamantarā dṛṣṭvā tu tadvanaṃ ghoraṃ bahubhīmamṛgadvijam| nanāsattvasamākīrṇaṃ sarvaṃ gahanapādapam dadṛśāte tu tau tatra darīṃ daśarathātmajau| pātālasamagambhīrāṃ tamasā nityasaṃvṛtām

Then both the sons of Dasaratha, went further east, crossed the kraunchaforest after three krosas. They saw a dreadful forest which was full of fierce animals and birds near the hermitage of sage Matanga. It was densely covered with trees. They saw there a cave perpetually enveloped in darkness which was as deep as the netherworld.

ततः पूर्वेण तौ गत्वा त्रिक्रोशं भ्रातरौ तदा। क्रौञ्चारण्यमतिक्रम्य मतङ्गाश्रममन्तरा।।3.69.8।। दृष्ट्वा तु तद्वनं घोरं बहुभीममृगद्विजम्। ननासत्त्वसमाकीर्णं सर्वं गहनपादपम्।।3.69.9।। ददृशाते तु तौ तत्र दरीं दशरथात्मजौ। पातालसमगम्भीरां तमसा नित्यसंवृताम्।।3.69.10।।

tataḥ pūrveṇa tau gatvā trikrośaṃ bhrātarau tadā| krauñcāraṇyamatikramya mataṅgāśramamantarā dṛṣṭvā tu tadvanaṃ ghoraṃ bahubhīmamṛgadvijam| nanāsattvasamākīrṇaṃ sarvaṃ gahanapādapam dadṛśāte tu tau tatra darīṃ daśarathātmajau| pātālasamagambhīrāṃ tamasā nityasaṃvṛtām

Then both the sons of Dasaratha, went further east, crossed the kraunchaforest after three krosas. They saw a dreadful forest which was full of fierce animals and birds near the hermitage of sage Matanga. It was densely covered with trees. They saw there a cave perpetually enveloped in darkness which was as deep as the netherworld.

आसाद्य तौ नरव्याघ्रौ दर्यास्तस्याविदूरतः। ददृशाते महारूपां राक्षसीं विकृताननाम्।।3.69.11।।

āsādya tau naravyāghrau daryāstasyāvidūrataḥ| dadṛśāte mahārūpāṃ rākṣasīṃ vikṛtānanām

Both the princes,the best among men, reached the cave and saw a huge demoness with a disfigured face not far from the cave.

भयदामल्पसत्त्वानां बीभत्सां रौद्रदर्शनाम्। लम्बोदरीं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रां करालीं परुषत्वचम्।।3.69.12।। भक्षयन्तीं मृगान्भीमान्विकटां मुक्तमूर्धजाम्। प्रैक्षेतां तौ ततस्तत्र भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।3.69.13।।

bhayadāmalpasattvānāṃ bībhatsāṃ raudradarśanām| lambodarīṃ tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭrāṃ karālīṃ paruṣatvacam bhakṣayantīṃ mṛgānbhīmānvikaṭāṃ muktamūrdhajām| praikṣetāṃ tau tatastatra bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau

Then the two brothers saw a fearful demoness who could strike terror in the mind of the timid, an uncouth figure with huge curved skins, with a big stomach, dishevelled hair, sharp and long teeth, devouring wild animals.

भयदामल्पसत्त्वानां बीभत्सां रौद्रदर्शनाम्। लम्बोदरीं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रां करालीं परुषत्वचम्।।3.69.12।। भक्षयन्तीं मृगान्भीमान्विकटां मुक्तमूर्धजाम्। प्रैक्षेतां तौ ततस्तत्र भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।3.69.13।।

bhayadāmalpasattvānāṃ bībhatsāṃ raudradarśanām| lambodarīṃ tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭrāṃ karālīṃ paruṣatvacam bhakṣayantīṃ mṛgānbhīmānvikaṭāṃ muktamūrdhajām| praikṣetāṃ tau tatastatra bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau

Then the two brothers saw a fearful demoness who could strike terror in the mind of the timid, an uncouth figure with huge curved skins, with a big stomach, dishevelled hair, sharp and long teeth, devouring wild animals.

सा समासाद्य तौ वीरौ व्रजन्तं भ्रातुरग्रतः। एहि रंस्यावहेत्युक्त्वा समालम्बत लक्ष्मणम्।।3.69.14।।

sā samāsādya tau vīrau vrajantaṃ bhrāturagrataḥ| ehi raṃsyāvahetyuktvā samālambata lakṣmaṇam

She came close to them, held Lakshmana who was walking ahead of his brother and said Come, let us enjoy.

उवाच चैनं वचनं सौमित्रिमुपगूह्य सा। अहं त्वयोमुखी नाम लब्धा ते त्वमसि प्रियः।।3.69.15।। नाथ पर्वतकूटेषु नदीनां पुलिनेषु च। आयुश्शेषमिमं वीर त्वं मया सह रंस्यसे।।3.69.16।।

uvāca cainaṃ vacanaṃ saumitrimupagūhya sā| ahaṃ tvayomukhī nāma labdhā te tvamasi priyaḥ nātha parvatakūṭeṣu nadīnāṃ pulineṣu ca| āyuśśeṣamimaṃ vīra tvaṃ mayā saha raṃsyase

Taking hold of Saumitri the demoness said 'I am Ayomukhi and I have been obtained by you. You got me, O hero, O lord For the rest of your life you will sport with me on the lofty hills and river banks.'

उवाच चैनं वचनं सौमित्रिमुपगूह्य सा। अहं त्वयोमुखी नाम लब्धा ते त्वमसि प्रियः।।3.69.15।। नाथ पर्वतकूटेषु नदीनां पुलिनेषु च। आयुश्शेषमिमं वीर त्वं मया सह रंस्यसे।।3.69.16।।

uvāca cainaṃ vacanaṃ saumitrimupagūhya sā| ahaṃ tvayomukhī nāma labdhā te tvamasi priyaḥ nātha parvatakūṭeṣu nadīnāṃ pulineṣu ca| āyuśśeṣamimaṃ vīra tvaṃ mayā saha raṃsyase

Taking hold of Saumitri the demoness said 'I am Ayomukhi and I have been obtained by you. You got me, O hero, O lord For the rest of your life you will sport with me on the lofty hills and river banks.'

एवमुक्तस्तु कुपितः खड्गमुद्धृत्य लक्ष्मणः। कर्णनासास्तनं तस्या निचकर्तारिसूदनः।।3.69.17।।

evamuktastu kupitaḥ khaḍgamuddhṛtya lakṣmaṇaḥ| karṇanāsāstanaṃ tasyā nicakartārisūdanaḥ

Thus addressed, Lakshmana, subduer of enemies, became angry, took out the sword and cut off her ears, nose and breasts.

कर्णनासे निकृत्ते तु विस्वरं सा विनद्य च। यथागतं प्रदुद्राव राक्षसी भीमदर्शना।।3.69.18।।

karṇanāse nikṛtte tu visvaraṃ sā vinadya ca| yathāgataṃ pradudrāva rākṣasī bhīmadarśanā

When the ears and nose of the frightening demoness were cut off she shouted in a fierce tone and ran away in the direction she had come from.

तस्यां गतायां गहनं व्रजन्तौ वनमोजसा। आसेदतुरमित्रघ्नौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।3.69.19।।

tasyāṃ gatāyāṃ gahanaṃ vrajantau vanamojasā| āsedaturamitraghnau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau

The destroyers of enemies, Rama and Lakshmana of great valour went through the dense forest after she ran away.

लक्ष्मणस्तु महातेजास्सत्त्ववान् शीलवान् शुचिः। अब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं भ्रातरं दीप्ततेजसम्।।3.69.20।।

lakṣmaṇastu mahātejāssattvavān śīlavān śuciḥ| abravītprāñjalirvākyaṃ bhrātaraṃ dīptatejasam

Lakshmana of great brilliance and power, of good conduct and pure character spoke to his highly effulgent brother with folded hands:

स्पन्दते च दृढं बाहुरुद्विग्नमिव मे मनः। प्रायशश्चाप्यनिष्टानि निमित्तान्युपलक्षये।।3.69.21।।

spandate ca dṛḍhaṃ bāhurudvignamiva me manaḥ| prāyaśaścāpyaniṣṭāni nimittānyupalakṣaye

My arm is throbbing heavily. My mind is agitated. The omens I see foretell some undesirable events.

तस्मात्सज्जीभवार्य त्वं कुरुष्व वचनं हितम्। ममैव हि निमित्तानि सद्यश्शंसन्ति सम्भ्रमम्।।3.69.22।।

tasmātsajjībhavārya tvaṃ kuruṣva vacanaṃ hitam| mamaiva hi nimittāni sadyaśśaṃsanti sambhramam

O noble brother be alert. Heed my words of good advice. The bad omens I see presage perils.

एष वञ्चुलको नाम पक्षी परमदारुणः। आवयोर्विजयं युद्धे शंसन्निव विनर्दति।।3.69.23।।

eṣa vañculako nāma pakṣī paramadāruṇaḥ| āvayorvijayaṃ yuddhe śaṃsanniva vinardati

This vanchulaka bird's loud and dreadful screams suggest our triumph in war.

तयोरन्वेषतोरेवं सर्वं तद्वनमोजसा। संजज्ञे विपुलः शब्दो प्रभञ्जन्निव तद्वनम्।।3.69.24।।

tayoranveṣatorevaṃ sarvaṃ tadvanamojasā| saṃjajñe vipulaḥ śabdo prabhañjanniva tadvanam

As both the brothers with great prowess were searching for Sita all over, a huge sound exploded as if shattering the forest.

संवेष्टितमिवात्यर्थं गगनं मातरिश्वना। वनस्य तस्य शब्दोऽभूद्दिवमापूरयन्निव।।3.69.25।।

saṃveṣṭitamivātyarthaṃ gaganaṃ mātariśvanā| vanasya tasya śabdo'bhūddivamāpūrayanniva

It appeared as though a fierce wind rose from the forest and filled the sky.

तं शब्दं काङ्क्षमाणस्तु रामः कक्षे सहानुजः। ददर्श सुमहाकायं राक्षसं विपुलोदरम्।।3.69.26।।

taṃ śabdaṃ kāṅkṣamāṇastu rāmaḥ kakṣe sahānujaḥ| dadarśa sumahākāyaṃ rākṣasaṃ vipulodaram

While looking for the sound, Rama with his brother saw a demon with a huge body and a big belly.

आसेदतुस्ततस्तत्र तावुभौ प्रमुखे स्थितम्। विवृद्धमशिरोग्रीवं कबन्धमुदरे मुखम्।।3.69.27।।

āsedatustatastatra tāvubhau pramukhe sthitam| vivṛddhamaśirogrīvaṃ kabandhamudare mukham

Then both the brothers saw a very tall figure with a trunk that stood facing them. He had neither neck nor head. His face was in the stomach.

रोमभिर्निचितैस्तीक्ष्णैर्महागिरिमिवोछ्रितम्। नीलमेघनिभं रौद्रं मेघस्तनितनिस्वनम्।।3.69.28।।

romabhirnicitaistīkṣṇairmahāgirimivochritam| nīlameghanibhaṃ raudraṃ meghastanitanisvanam

With sharp bristled hair all over the body, he was a mammoth figure who looked like a mountain resembling a dark cloud with his voice like the thunder.

अग्निज्वालानिकाशेन ललाटस्थेन दीप्यता। महापक्ष्मेण पिङ्गेन विपुलेनायतेन च।।3.69.29।। एकेनोरसि घोरेण नयनेनाशुदर्शिना। महादंष्ट्रोपपन्नं तल्लेलिहानं महामुखम्।।3.69.30।।

agnijvālānikāśena lalāṭasthena dīpyatā| mahāpakṣmeṇa piṅgena vipulenāyatena ca ekenorasi ghoreṇa nayanenāśudarśinā| mahādaṃṣṭropapannaṃ tallelihānaṃ mahāmukham

He had a single eye that was reddishbrown in colour resembling flaming fire. It was fixed in the chest. His eyelashes glowed. He had instant vision with massive fangs in his huge mouth. He was licking his lips.

अग्निज्वालानिकाशेन ललाटस्थेन दीप्यता। महापक्ष्मेण पिङ्गेन विपुलेनायतेन च।।3.69.29।। एकेनोरसि घोरेण नयनेनाशुदर्शिना। महादंष्ट्रोपपन्नं तल्लेलिहानं महामुखम्।।3.69.30।।

agnijvālānikāśena lalāṭasthena dīpyatā| mahāpakṣmeṇa piṅgena vipulenāyatena ca ekenorasi ghoreṇa nayanenāśudarśinā| mahādaṃṣṭropapannaṃ tallelihānaṃ mahāmukham

He had a single eye that was reddishbrown in colour resembling flaming fire. It was fixed in the chest. His eyelashes glowed. He had instant vision with massive fangs in his huge mouth. He was licking his lips.

भक्षयन्तं महाघोरानृक्षसिंहमृगद्विपान्। घोरौ भुजौ विकुर्वाणमुभौ योजनमायतौ।।3.69.31।।

bhakṣayantaṃ mahāghorānṛkṣasiṃhamṛgadvipān| ghorau bhujau vikurvāṇamubhau yojanamāyatau

The terrific demon kept eating bears, lions, deer and elephants, catching with both his arms stretching up to one yojana.

कराभ्यां विविधान्गृह्यऋक्षान्पक्षिगणान्मृगान्। आकर्षन्तं विकर्षन्तमनेकान्मृगयूथपान्।।3.69.32।। स्थितमावृत्य पन्थानं तयोर्भ्रात्रोः प्रपन्नयोः।

karābhyāṃ vividhāngṛhyaṛkṣānpakṣigaṇānmṛgān| ākarṣantaṃ vikarṣantamanekānmṛgayūthapān sthitamāvṛtya panthānaṃ tayorbhrātroḥ prapannayoḥ|

He stood rooted there, catching bears, flocks of birds and deer with both his hands stretching up to one yojana, pulling and pushing them. (Now) he obstructed the path of the two brothers.

अथ तौ समभिक्रम्य क्रोशमात्रे ददर्शतुः।।3.69.33।। महान्तं दारुणं भीमं कबन्धं भुजसंवृम्। कबन्धमिव संस्थानादतिघोरप्रदर्शनम्।।3.69.34।।

atha tau samabhikramya krośamātre dadarśatuḥ mahāntaṃ dāruṇaṃ bhīmaṃ kabandhaṃ bhujasaṃvṛm| kabandhamiva saṃsthānādatighorapradarśanam

Then the brothers after covering one krosa (2 miles) saw a cruel, fierce, mighty monster named Kabandha looking like a trunk. He had a dreadful appearance and his arms encircled the area.

अथ तौ समभिक्रम्य क्रोशमात्रे ददर्शतुः।।3.69.33।। महान्तं दारुणं भीमं कबन्धं भुजसंवृम्। कबन्धमिव संस्थानादतिघोरप्रदर्शनम्।।3.69.34।।

atha tau samabhikramya krośamātre dadarśatuḥ mahāntaṃ dāruṇaṃ bhīmaṃ kabandhaṃ bhujasaṃvṛm| kabandhamiva saṃsthānādatighorapradarśanam

Then the brothers after covering one krosa (2 miles) saw a cruel, fierce, mighty monster named Kabandha looking like a trunk. He had a dreadful appearance and his arms encircled the area.

स महाबाहुरत्यर्थं प्रसार्य विपुलौ भुजौ। जग्राह सहितावेव राघवौ पीडयन्बलात्।।3.69.35।।

sa mahābāhuratyarthaṃ prasārya vipulau bhujau| jagrāha sahitāveva rāghavau pīḍayanbalāt

The longarmed demon spread his hands and caught hold of Rama and Lakshmana together by pressing them with all his force.

खड्गिनौ दृढधन्वानौ तिग्मतेजोवपुर्धरौ। भ्रातरौ विवशं प्राप्तौ कृष्यमाणौ महाबलौ।।3.69.36।।

khaḍginau dṛḍhadhanvānau tigmatejovapurdharau| bhrātarau vivaśaṃ prāptau kṛṣyamāṇau mahābalau

The two mighty brothers who wielded swords and strong bows and whose bodies were of fiery splendour became helpless, seized by the hands of Kabandha.

तत्र धैर्येण शूरस्तु राघवो नैव विव्यथे। बाल्यादनाश्रयत्वाच्च लक्ष्मणस्त्वतिविव्यथे।।3.69.37।। उवाच स विषण्णस्सन्राघवं राघवानुजः।

tatra dhairyeṇa śūrastu rāghavo naiva vivyathe| bālyādanāśrayatvācca lakṣmaṇastvativivyathe uvāca sa viṣaṇṇassanrāghavaṃ rāghavānujaḥ|

Of the two heroes, Rama being courageous was not worried but Lakshmana being younger and not having as much courage, was very much concerned and depressed. He said to Rama:

पश्य मां वीर विवशं राक्षसस्य वशं गतम्।।3.69.38।। मयैकेन विनिर्युक्तः परिमुञ्चस्व राघव।

paśya māṃ vīra vivaśaṃ rākṣasasya vaśaṃ gatam mayaikena viniryuktaḥ parimuñcasva rāghava|

O heroic Rama see how helpless I am under the control of the demon. Set yourself free, leaving me alone and using me as an offering.

मां हि भूतबलिं दत्वा पलायस्व यथासुखम्।।3.69.39।। अधिगन्तासि वैदेहीमचिरेणेति मे मतिः।

māṃ hi bhūtabaliṃ datvā palāyasva yathāsukham adhigantāsi vaidehīmacireṇeti me matiḥ|

Giving me to this monstor as an offering, you may run away happily. I think you will soon obtain Vaidehi.

प्रतिलभ्य च काकुत्स्थ पितृपैतामहीं महीम्।।3.69.40।। तत्र मां राम राज्यस्थस्स्मर्तुमर्हसि सर्वदा।

pratilabhya ca kākutstha pitṛpaitāmahīṃ mahīm tatra māṃ rāma rājyasthassmartumarhasi sarvadā|

O scion of the Kakutstha dynasty, on getting the hereditary kingdom and ruling over it you should always remember me.

लक्ष्मणेनैवमुक्तस्तु रामस्सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।।3.69.41।। मा स्म त्रासं कृथा वीर न हि त्वादृग्विषीदति।

lakṣmaṇenaivamuktastu rāmassaumitrimabravīt mā sma trāsaṃ kṛthā vīra na hi tvādṛgviṣīdati|

O valiant Lakshmana, a hero like you should not get desparate. said Rama to Saumitri when he was thus entreated by Lakshmana.

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे क्रूरो भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।3.69.42।। पप्रच्छ घननिर्घोषः कबन्धो दानवोत्तमः।

etasminnantare krūro bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau papraccha ghananirghoṣaḥ kabandho dānavottamaḥ|

In the meanwhile the foremost of the demons, Kabandha, rumbling like thunder questioned the brothers, Rama and Lakshmana:

कौ युवां वृषभस्कन्धौ महाखड्गधनुर्धरौ।।3.69.43।। घोरं देशमिमं प्राप्तौ मम भक्षावुपस्थितौ।

kau yuvāṃ vṛṣabhaskandhau mahākhaḍgadhanurdharau ghoraṃ deśamimaṃ prāptau mama bhakṣāvupasthitau|

Who are you with bulllike shoulders, wielding big swords, bows and arrows? By coming to this place you have become my food.

वदतं कार्यमिह वां किमर्थं चागतौ युवाम्।।3.69.44।। इमं देशमनुप्राप्तौ क्षुधार्तस्येह तिष्ठतः।

vadataṃ kāryamiha vāṃ kimarthaṃ cāgatau yuvām imaṃ deśamanuprāptau kṣudhārtasyeha tiṣṭhataḥ|

For what purpose have you come? What work have you here ? You have come at the right time as my food, since I am hungry.

सबाणचापखड्गौ च तीक्ष्णशृङ्गाविवर्षभौ।।3.69.45।। ममास्यमनुसम्प्राप्तौ दुर्लभं जीवितं पुनः।

sabāṇacāpakhaḍgau ca tīkṣṇaśṛṅgāvivarṣabhau mamāsyamanusamprāptau durlabhaṃ jīvitaṃ punaḥ|

Holding bows, arrows and swords, looking like bulls with pointed horns you have entered my mouth. It is impossible for you to live any more.

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कबन्धस्य दुरात्मनः।।3.69.46।। उवाच लक्ष्मणं रामो मुखेन परिशुष्यता।

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā kabandhasya durātmanaḥ uvāca lakṣmaṇaṃ rāmo mukhena pariśuṣyatā|

On hearing the words of the evilminded Kabandha, Rama said to Lakshmana with dried up mouth:

कृच्छ्रात् कृच्छ्रतरं प्राप्य दारुणं सत्यविक्रमः।।3.69.47।। व्यसनं जीवितान्ताय प्राप्तमप्राप्य तां प्रियाम्।

kṛcchrāt kṛcchrataraṃ prāpya dāruṇaṃ satyavikramaḥ vyasanaṃ jīvitāntāya prāptamaprāpya tāṃ priyām|

O Lakshmana, your valour is truth.We have gone through from one calamity to a greater one without finding the beloved Sita. Now we have landed into a terrible crisis which will put an end to our own life.

कालस्य सुमहद्वीर्यं सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मण।।3.69.48।। त्वां च मां च नरव्याघ्र व्यसनैः पश्य मोहितौ।

kālasya sumahadvīryaṃ sarvabhūteṣu lakṣmaṇa tvāṃ ca māṃ ca naravyāghra vyasanaiḥ paśya mohitau|

O tiger among men see how powerful the might of time is for all beings Just see yourself and myself afflicted wth this great calamity.

नातिभारोस्ति कालस्य सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मण।।3.69.49।। शूराश्च बलवन्तश्च कृतास्त्राश्च रणाजिरे। कालाभिपन्नास्सीदन्ति यथा वालुकसेतवः।।3.69.50।।

nātibhārosti kālasya sarvabhūteṣu lakṣmaṇa śūrāśca balavantaśca kṛtāstrāśca raṇājire| kālābhipannāssīdanti yathā vālukasetavaḥ

O Lakshmana look at the power of time over all creatures There is nothing too heavy for time. Even those who know the use of arms in war, or are brave or strong enough, cannot withstand the force of time like the barriers built with sand.

नातिभारोस्ति कालस्य सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मण।।3.69.49।। शूराश्च बलवन्तश्च कृतास्त्राश्च रणाजिरे। कालाभिपन्नास्सीदन्ति यथा वालुकसेतवः।।3.69.50।।

nātibhārosti kālasya sarvabhūteṣu lakṣmaṇa śūrāśca balavantaśca kṛtāstrāśca raṇājire| kālābhipannāssīdanti yathā vālukasetavaḥ

O Lakshmana look at the power of time over all creatures There is nothing too heavy for time. Even those who know the use of arms in war, or are brave or strong enough, cannot withstand the force of time like the barriers built with sand.

इति ब्रुवाणो दृढसत्यविक्रमो महायशा दाशरथिः प्रतापवान्। अवेक्ष्य सौमित्रिमुदग्रपौरुषं स्थिरां तदा स्वां मतिमात्मनाऽकरोत्।।3.69.51।।

iti bruvāṇo dṛḍhasatyavikramo mahāyaśā dāśarathiḥ pratāpavān| avekṣya saumitrimudagrapauruṣaṃ sthirāṃ tadā svāṃ matimātmanā'karot

Firm in the strength of truth, famous and powerful Rama, son of Dasaratha, determined to act with a steadfast mind, spoke to Lakshmana of mighty manliness on seeing him. इत्यार्ष श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनसप्ततितमस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the sixtyninth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.