Sundara Kanda, Sarga 21

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सीता रौद्रस्य रक्षसः। आर्ता दीनस्वरा दीनं प्रत्युवाच शनैर्वचः।।5.21.1।।

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā sītā raudrasya rakṣasaḥ| ārtā dīnasvarā dīnaṃ pratyuvāca śanairvacaḥ

On hearing the demon's haughty words, oppressed, pitiable Sita replied slowly in a sorrowful tone.

दुःखार्ता रुदती सीता वेपमाना तपस्विनी। चिन्तयन्ती वरारोहा पतिमेव पतिव्रता।।5.21.2।। तृणमन्तरतः कृत्वा प्रत्युवाच शुचिस्मिता।

duḥkhārtā rudatī sītā vepamānā tapasvinī| cintayantī varārohā patimeva pativratā tṛṇamantarataḥ kṛtvā pratyuvāca śucismitā|

Sita, austere, beautiful and chaste afflicted by grief kept sobbing. Brooding over her husband and trembling in fear, she placed a blade of grass in between her and Ravana and replied with a gentle smile on her face.

निवर्तय मनो मत्तः स्वजने क्रियतां मनः।।5.21.3।। न मां प्रार्थयितुं युक्तं सुसिद्धिमिव पापकृत्।

nivartaya mano mattaḥ svajane kriyatāṃ manaḥ na māṃ prārthayituṃ yuktaṃ susiddhimiva pāpakṛt|

"Turn your mind away from me and fix it on your wives. You should not expect to seek me just as a sinner cannot hope to seek blessedness.

अकार्यं न मया कार्यमेकपत्न्या विगर्हितम्।।5.21.4।। कुलं सम्प्राप्तया पुण्यं कुले महति जातया।

akāryaṃ na mayā kāryamekapatnyā vigarhitam kulaṃ samprāptayā puṇyaṃ kule mahati jātayā|

"I was born of high lineage and joined a meritorious family by virtue of my marriage. I am devoted only to my husband. I should not commit this contemptible, forbidden act."

एवमुक्त्वा तु वैदेही रावणं तं यशस्विनी।।5.21.5।। राक्षसं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा भूयो वचनमब्रवीत्।

evamuktvā tu vaidehī rāvaṇaṃ taṃ yaśasvinī rākṣasaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā bhūyo vacanamabravīt|

Glorious Vaidehi having thus spoken to the demon turned her back and continued:

नाहमौपयिकी भार्या परभार्या सती तव।।5.21.6।। साधु धर्ममवेक्षस्व साधु साधुव्रतं चर।

nāhamaupayikī bhāryā parabhāryā satī tava sādhu dharmamavekṣasva sādhu sādhuvrataṃ cara|

"I cannot be your lawful wife obtainable by your personal efforts. I am a chaste woman married to another man. (Being a king) examine the dharma honestly and adopt a pious way of life.

यथा तव तथान्येषां दारा रक्ष्या निशाचर।।5.21.7।। आत्मानमुपमां कृत्वा स्वेषु दारेषु रम्यताम्।

yathā tava tathānyeṣāṃ dārā rakṣyā niśācara ātmānamupamāṃ kṛtvā sveṣu dāreṣu ramyatām|

"O nightranger Enjoy your wives. Take care of them. Taking your example, others' wives also deserve to be protected.

अतुष्टं स्वेषु दारेषु चपलं चलितेन्द्रियम्।।5.21.8।। नयन्ति निकृतिप्रज्ञं परदाराः पराभवम्।

atuṣṭaṃ sveṣu dāreṣu capalaṃ calitendriyam nayanti nikṛtiprajñaṃ paradārāḥ parābhavam|

"The wives of others will insult an evilminded man who is not satisfied with his own wives, is fickleminded and has no control over his senses.

इह सन्तो न वा सन्ति सतो वा नानुवर्तसे।।5.21.9।। तथाहि विपरीता ते बुद्धिराचारवर्जिता।

iha santo na vā santi sato vā nānuvartase tathāhi viparītā te buddhirācāravarjitā|

"Are there no pious men around or are you not heeding their words? Your mind is perverted and inclined to commit a forbidden act.

वचो मिथ्याप्रणीतात्मा पथ्यमुक्तं विचक्षणैः।।5.21.10।। राक्षसानामभावाय त्वं वा न प्रतिपद्यसे।

vaco mithyāpraṇītātmā pathyamuktaṃ vicakṣaṇaiḥ rākṣasānāmabhāvāya tvaṃ vā na pratipadyase|

"You are indulging in unrighteous act and not listening to the advice of wise men who have a sense of discrimination. You are the cause of the destruction of demons.

अकृतात्मानमासाद्य राजानमनये रतम्।।5.21.11।। समृद्धानि विनश्यन्ति राष्ट्राणि नगराणि च।

akṛtātmānamāsādya rājānamanaye ratam samṛddhāni vinaśyanti rāṣṭrāṇi nagarāṇi ca|

"Even prosperous countries and cities are destroyed on account of indiscreet rulers engaged in unfair means.

तथेयं त्वां समासाद्य लङ्का रत्नौघसङ्कुला।।5.21.12।। अपराधात्तवैकस्य नचिराद्विनशिष्यति।

tatheyaṃ tvāṃ samāsādya laṅkā ratnaughasaṅkulā aparādhāttavaikasya nacirādvinaśiṣyati|

"Having got you as its ruler, this Lanka filled with gems (riches) will perish without delay for the crime of one individual.

स्वकृतैर्हन्यमानस्य रावणादीर्घदर्शिनः।।5.21.13।। अभिनन्दन्ति भूतानि विनाशे पापकर्मणः।

svakṛtairhanyamānasya rāvaṇādīrghadarśinaḥ abhinandanti bhūtāni vināśe pāpakarmaṇaḥ|

"O Ravana living beings will welcome and enjoy the destruction of a shortsighted sinner killed by his own vile act.

एवं त्वां पापकर्माणं वक्ष्यन्ति निकृता जनाः।।5.21.14।। दिष्ट्यैतद्व्यसनं प्राप्तो रौद्र इत्येव हर्षिताः।

evaṃ tvāṃ pāpakarmāṇaṃ vakṣyanti nikṛtā janāḥ diṣṭyaitadvyasanaṃ prāpto raudra ityeva harṣitāḥ|

"Seeing you, getting ruined this way for your sin, those who were angry with you for their humiliation in your hands will feel glad and say 'Luckily this terrible fellow has met with his doom' .

शक्या लोभयितुं नाहमैश्वर्येण धनेन वा।।5.21.15।। अनन्या राघवेणाहं भास्करेण प्रभा यथा।

śakyā lobhayituṃ nāhamaiśvaryeṇa dhanena vā ananyā rāghaveṇāhaṃ bhāskareṇa prabhā yathā|

"I cannot be lured by your power or wealth. I am inseparable from Raghava like light from the Sun.

उपधाय भुजं तस्य लोकनाथस्य सत्कृतम्।।5.21.16।। कथं नामोपधास्यामि भुजमन्यस्य कस्य चित्।

upadhāya bhujaṃ tasya lokanāthasya satkṛtam kathaṃ nāmopadhāsyāmi bhujamanyasya kasya cit|

"How can I pillow on somebody's arm after resting on the honourable arm of the great lord of the worlds ?

अहमौपयिकी भार्या तस्यैव वसुधापतेः।।5.21.17।। व्रतस्नातस्य विप्रस्य विद्येव विदितात्मनः।

ahamaupayikī bhāryā tasyaiva vasudhāpateḥ vratasnātasya viprasya vidyeva viditātmanaḥ|

"I am alone the lawful wife of the lord of the earth like the knowledge of the Vedas which rightfully belongs to a wise brahmin who has realised the self after having had his ceremonial bath (as a token of celibacy) and having observed strict vows during the period of his study.

साधु रावण रामेण मां समानय दुःखिताम्।।5.21.18।। वने वाशितया सार्धं करेण्वेव गजाधिपम्।

sādhu rāvaṇa rāmeṇa māṃ samānaya duḥkhitām vane vāśitayā sārdhaṃ kareṇveva gajādhipam|

"O Ravana it is proper for you to unite me in distress with Rama as one would unite a female elephant with the lordly elephant from which it is separated in the wilderness.

मित्रमौपयिकं कर्तुं रामः स्थानं परीप्सता।।5.21.19।। वधं चानिच्छता घोरं त्वयासौ पुरुषर्षभः।

mitramaupayikaṃ kartuṃ rāmaḥ sthānaṃ parīpsatā vadhaṃ cānicchatā ghoraṃ tvayāsau puruṣarṣabhaḥ|

"I wish you to build friendship with Rama, the bull among men. Surely it is the right thing for you to do, if you are desirous of avoiding a dreadful death.

विदितः स हि धर्मज्ञः शरणागतवत्सलः।।5.21.20।। तेन मैत्री भवतु ते यदि जीवितुमिच्छसि।

viditaḥ sa hi dharmajñaḥ śaraṇāgatavatsalaḥ tena maitrī bhavatu te yadi jīvitumicchasi|

"He is famous as a knower of dharma and is compassionate to those who seek his protection. If you desire to preserve your life build friendship with him.

प्रसादयस्व त्वं चैनं शरणागतवत्सलम्।।5.21.21।। मां चास्मै नियतो भूत्वा निर्यातयितुमर्हसि।

prasādayasva tvaṃ cainaṃ śaraṇāgatavatsalam māṃ cāsmai niyato bhūtvā niryātayitumarhasi|

"Propitiate him. He is compassionate to those who seek refuge. Exercise control over your senses for your sake and it is proper for you to return me to him.

एवं हि ते भवेत्स्वस्ति सम्प्रदाय रघूत्तमे।।5.21.22।। अन्यथा त्वं हि कुर्वाणो वधं प्राप्स्यसि रावण।

evaṃ hi te bhavetsvasti sampradāya raghūttame anyathā tvaṃ hi kurvāṇo vadhaṃ prāpsyasi rāvaṇa|

"It is good for you to give me back to Rama, the foremost in the Raghu dynasty. Otherwise you will face death.

वर्जयेद्वज्रमुत्सृष्टं वर्जयेदन्तकश्चिरम्।।5.21.23।। त्वद्विधं तु न सङ्कृद्धो लोकनाथः स राघवः।

varjayedvajramutsṛṣṭaṃ varjayedantakaściram tvadvidhaṃ tu na saṅkṛddho lokanāthaḥ sa rāghavaḥ|

"A thunderbolt may spare its target, Yama, lord of death may spare for a long time the life of a person doomed. But Rama, the lord of the world, will not spare any one when enraged.

रामस्य धनुषः शब्दं श्रोष्यसि त्वं महास्वनम्।।5.21.24।। शतक्रतुविसृष्टस्य निर्घोषमशनेरिव।

rāmasya dhanuṣaḥ śabdaṃ śroṣyasi tvaṃ mahāsvanam śatakratuvisṛṣṭasya nirghoṣamaśaneriva|

"You will hear the terrible twang of Rama's bow resembling the rumble of the thunderbolt released by Indra who performed a hundred yajnas.

इह शीघ्रं सुपर्वाणो ज्वलितास्या इवोरगा: ।।5.21.25।। इषवो निपतिष्यन्ति रामलक्ष्मणलक्षणाः।

iha śīghraṃ suparvāṇo jvalitāsyā ivoragā: iṣavo nipatiṣyanti rāmalakṣmaṇalakṣaṇāḥ|

"Arrows marked with Rama and Lakshmana will soon rain on Lanka like the poisonous snakes with flaming fangs.

रक्षांसि परिनिघ्नन्तः पुर्यामस्यां समन्ततः।।5.21.26।। असंपातं करिष्यन्ति पतन्तः कङ्कवाससः।

rakṣāṃsi parinighnantaḥ puryāmasyāṃ samantataḥ asaṃpātaṃ kariṣyanti patantaḥ kaṅkavāsasaḥ|

"The shafts bound with feathers of Kanka birds (released by Rama and Lakshmana) will be killing the demons all over this Lanka. They will not give a chance for any other weapon to fall.

राक्षसेन्द्रमहासर्पान् स रामगरुडो महान्।।5.21.27।। उद्धरिष्यति वेगेन वैनतेय इवोरगान्।

rākṣasendramahāsarpān sa rāmagaruḍo mahān uddhariṣyati vegena vainateya ivoragān|

"Just as Garuda swiftly extirpates the serpents, Rama will exterminate the demon leaders.

अपनेष्यति मां भर्ता त्वत्तः शीघ्रमरिन्दमः।।5.21.28।। असुरेभ्यः श्रियं दीप्तां विष्णुस्त्रिभिरिव क्रमैः।

apaneṣyati māṃ bhartā tvattaḥ śīghramarindamaḥ asurebhyaḥ śriyaṃ dīptāṃ viṣṇustribhiriva kramaiḥ|

"My husband, the subduer of enemies, will soon take me away just as Lord Visnu in the form of Vamana took away the glowing prosperity from the demons with three strides.

जनस्थाने हतस्थाने निहते रक्षसां बले।।5.21.29।। अशक्तेन त्वया रक्षः कृतमेतदसाधु वै।

janasthāne hatasthāne nihate rakṣasāṃ bale aśaktena tvayā rakṣaḥ kṛtametadasādhu vai|

"When the army of demons as killed you had no capacity to protect and was destroyed at Janasthana, the place of death. You acted in this dishonest way.

आश्रमं तु तयोः शून्यं प्रविश्य नरसिंहयोः।।5.21.30।। गोचरं गतयोर्भ्रात्रोरपनीता त्वयाधम।

āśramaṃ tu tayoḥ śūnyaṃ praviśya narasiṃhayoḥ gocaraṃ gatayorbhrātrorapanītā tvayādhama|

"You are a mean creature. Finding me in the vacant hut, when the two brothers, lions among men, were away, you abducted me.

न हि गन्धमुपाघ्राय रामलक्ष्मणयोस्त्वया।।5.21.31।। शक्यं संदर्शने स्थातुं शुना शार्दूलयोरिव।

na hi gandhamupāghrāya rāmalakṣmaṇayostvayā śakyaṃ saṃdarśane sthātuṃ śunā śārdūlayoriva|

"Had you smelt the presence of Rama and Lakshmna, it would not have been possible for you to stand there, like a dog under the gaze of a pair of tigers.

तस्य ते विग्रहे ताभ्यां युगग्रहणमस्थिरम्।।5.21.32।। वृत्रस्येवेन्द्रबाहुभ्यां बाहोरेकस्य विग्रहे।

tasya te vigrahe tābhyāṃ yugagrahaṇamasthiram vṛtrasyevendrabāhubhyāṃ bāhorekasya vigrahe|

"You will not be able to withstand them in a battle. You will meet the same fate as the onearmed Vritra in a battle with the twoarmed Indra.

क्षिप्रं तव स नाथो मे रामः सौमित्रिणा सह।।5.21.33।। तोयमल्पमिवादित्यः प्राणानादास्यते शरैः।

kṣipraṃ tava sa nātho me rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha toyamalpamivādityaḥ prāṇānādāsyate śaraiḥ|

"My lord Rama accompanied by Saumitri will draw out your life by his arrows swiftly as Aditya sucks up shallow water at once by his radiance.

गिरिं कुबेरस्य गतोऽथ वालयं सभां गतो वा वरुणस्य राज्ञः। असंशयं दाशरथेर्न मोक्ष्यसे महाद्रुमः कालहतोऽशनेरिव।।5.21.34।।

giriṃ kuberasya gato'tha vālayaṃ sabhāṃ gato vā varuṇasya rājñaḥ| asaṃśayaṃ dāśaratherna mokṣyase mahādrumaḥ kālahato'śaneriva

"Even if you fly to Kubera's mountain (Kailasa) or the residence of king Varuna (ocean) you will not escape Rama's arrows like a mighty tree cannot evade lightning. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये सुन्दरकाण्डे एकविंशस्सर्गः। Thus ends the twentyfirst sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.