Sundara Kanda, Sarga 22

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा परुषं राक्षसाधिपः। प्रत्युवाच ततः सीतां विप्रियं प्रियदर्शनाम्।।5.22.1।।

sītāyā vacanaṃ śrutvā paruṣaṃ rākṣasādhipaḥ| pratyuvāca tataḥ sītāṃ vipriyaṃ priyadarśanām

Hearing the sharp words of pleasing Sita, the lord of demons replied in unpleasant terms:

यथा यथा सान्त्वयिता वश्यः स्त्रीणां तथा तथा। यथा यथा प्रियं वक्ता परिभूतस्तथा तथा।।5.22.2।।

yathā yathā sāntvayitā vaśyaḥ strīṇāṃ tathā tathā| yathā yathā priyaṃ vaktā paribhūtastathā tathā

"The more the lover is courteous and loving and pleasing to women the more he is humiliated by them.

सन्नियच्छति मे क्रोधं त्वयि कामः समुत्थितः। द्रवतोऽमार्गमासाद्य हयानिव सुसारथिः।।5.22.3।।

sanniyacchati me krodhaṃ tvayi kāmaḥ samutthitaḥ| dravato'mārgamāsādya hayāniva susārathiḥ

"My love for you has restrained my anger, just as a good charioteer controls the horses galloping on a wrong path.

वामः कामो मनुष्याणां यस्मिन् किल निबध्यते। जने तस्मिंस्त्वनुक्रोशः स्नेहश्च किल जायते।।5.22.4।।

vāmaḥ kāmo manuṣyāṇāṃ yasmin kila nibadhyate| jane tasmiṃstvanukrośaḥ snehaśca kila jāyate

"Love is partial. It gets bound to those in whomsoever compassion and friendship is generated, even though they are punishable.

एतस्मात्कारणान्न त्वां घातयामि वरानने। वधार्हामवमानार्हां मिथ्याप्रव्रजिते रताम्।।5.22.5।।

etasmātkāraṇānna tvāṃ ghātayāmi varānane| vadhārhāmavamānārhāṃ mithyāpravrajite ratām

"O beautiful one it is on this account that I do not kill you even though you deserve to be killed and insulted (for the words used), even as you are engaged in a pseudoascetic life.

परुषाणीह वाक्यानि यानि यानि ब्रवीषि माम्। तेषु तेषु वधो युक्तस्तव मैथिलि दारुणः।।5.22.6।।

paruṣāṇīha vākyāni yāni yāni bravīṣi mām| teṣu teṣu vadho yuktastava maithili dāruṇaḥ

"O Mythili for each of the piercing statements made you deserve dreadful death."

एवमुक्त्वा तु वैदेहीं रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। क्रोधसंरम्भसंयुक्तः सीतामुत्तरमब्रवीत्।।5.22.7।।

evamuktvā tu vaidehīṃ rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| krodhasaṃrambhasaṃyuktaḥ sītāmuttaramabravīt

Ravana, the lord of demons, said these words in reply to Vaidehi who was overcome with anger and exitement.

द्वौ मासौ रक्षितव्यौ मे योऽवधिस्ते मया कृतः। ततः शयनमारोह मम त्वं वरवर्णिनि।।5.22.8।।

dvau māsau rakṣitavyau me yo'vadhiste mayā kṛtaḥ| tataḥ śayanamāroha mama tvaṃ varavarṇini

"I shall wait for two months, the deadline fixed. O lady of beautiful hue thereafter you have to share my bed.

ऊर्ध्वं द्वाभ्यां तु मासाभ्यां भर्तारं मामनिच्छतीम्। मम त्वां प्रातराशार्थमालभन्ते महानसे।।5.22.9।।

ūrdhvaṃ dvābhyāṃ tu māsābhyāṃ bhartāraṃ māmanicchatīm| mama tvāṃ prātarāśārthamālabhante mahānase

"If you are still reluctant to accept me as your husband after two months you will be sent to kitchen to be cooked as morning breakfast for me".

तां तर्ज्यमानां सम्प्रेक्ष्य राक्षसेन्द्रेण जानकीम्। देवगन्धर्वकन्यास्ता विषेदुर्विकृतेक्षणाः।।5.22.10।।

tāṃ tarjyamānāṃ samprekṣya rākṣasendreṇa jānakīm| devagandharvakanyāstā viṣedurvikṛtekṣaṇāḥ

Observing Janaki, threatened by the demon king the daughters of gods and gandharvas shed tears with distressful eyes.

ओष्ठप्रकारैरपरा वक्त्रनेत्रैस्तथापराः। सीतामाश्वासयामासुस्तर्जितां तेन रक्षसा।।5.22.11।।

oṣṭhaprakārairaparā vaktranetraistathāparāḥ| sītāmāśvāsayāmāsustarjitāṃ tena rakṣasā

When Sita was threatened by the demon king, the daughters of gods and gandharvas there consoled her through gestures of their lips and eyes.

ताभिराश्वासिता सीता रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्। उवाचात्महितं वाक्यं वृत्तशौण्डीर्यगर्वितम्।।5.22.12।।

tābhirāśvāsitā sītā rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasādhipam| uvācātmahitaṃ vākyaṃ vṛttaśauṇḍīryagarvitam

Having thus been consoled, Sita, proud of the power of her virtues, said this to Ravana in selfdefence:

नूनं न ते जनः कश्चिदस्ति निःश्रेयसे स्थित:। निवारयति यो न त्वां कर्मणोऽस्माद्विगर्हितात्।।5.22.13।।

nūnaṃ na te janaḥ kaścidasti niḥśreyase sthita:| nivārayati yo na tvāṃ karmaṇo'smādvigarhitāt

"Obviously there is no one among your people keen on your welfare since nobody is preventing you from this reproachable act.

मां हि धर्मात्मनः पत्नीं शचीमिव शचीपतेः। त्वदन्यस्त्रिषु लोकेषु प्रार्थयेन्मनसापि कः।।5.22.14।।

māṃ hi dharmātmanaḥ patnīṃ śacīmiva śacīpateḥ| tvadanyastriṣu lokeṣu prārthayenmanasāpi kaḥ

"Who in all the three worlds other than you would, even in mind, seek this consort of the righteous self (Sri Rama) like Sachi to Indra? .

राक्षसाधम रामस्य भार्याममिततेजसः। उक्तवानसि यत्पापं क्व गतस्तस्य मोक्ष्यसे।।5.22.15।।

rākṣasādhama rāmasya bhāryāmamitatejasaḥ| uktavānasi yatpāpaṃ kva gatastasya mokṣyase

"O stupid demon where can you go to escape the consequences of your sinful words spoken against Rama's consort of undimmed brilliance?

यथा दृप्तश्च मातङ्गः शशश्च सद्दृशो युधि। तथा मातङ्गवद्रामस्त्वं नीच: शशवत् स्मृतः।।5.22.16।।

yathā dṛptaśca mātaṅgaḥ śaśaśca saddṛśo yudhi| tathā mātaṅgavadrāmastvaṃ nīca: śaśavat smṛtaḥ

"It is like a proud elephant fighting in war with a rabbit. Rama is like an elephant and you are like an ordinary rabbit people speak of.

स त्वमिक्ष्वाकुनाथं वै क्षिपन्निह न लज्जसे। चक्षुषोर्विषयं तस्य न तावदुपगच्छसि।।5.22.17।।

sa tvamikṣvākunāthaṃ vai kṣipanniha na lajjase| cakṣuṣorviṣayaṃ tasya na tāvadupagacchasi

"You are not ashamed of belittling Rama in his absence. You have not yet walked into his sight.

इमे ते नयने क्रूरे विरूपे कृष्णपिङ्गले। क्षितौ न पतिते कस्मान्मामनार्य निरीक्षितः।।5.22.18।।

ime te nayane krūre virūpe kṛṣṇapiṅgale| kṣitau na patite kasmānmāmanārya nirīkṣitaḥ

"O ignoble wretch I wonder why your dark brown, distorted eyes do not fall off (the socket) when you look at me (lustfully).

तस्य धर्मात्मनः पत्नीं स्नुषां दशरथस्य च। कथं व्याहरतो मां ते न जिह्वा व्यवशीर्यते।।5.22.19।।

tasya dharmātmanaḥ patnīṃ snuṣāṃ daśarathasya ca| kathaṃ vyāharato māṃ te na jihvā vyavaśīryate

"Why does not your tongue drop down while you speak such words against this consort of the righteous king (Rama) and daughterin law of Dasaratha?

असन्देशात्तु रामस्य तपसश्चानुपालनात्। न त्वां कुर्मि दशग्रीव भस्म भर्मार्ह तेजसा।।5.22.20।।

asandeśāttu rāmasya tapasaścānupālanāt| na tvāṃ kurmi daśagrīva bhasma bharmārha tejasā

"O Ravana I can reduce you to ashes through the fire of my chastity. But I do not have Rama's permission and I want to preserve my power of ascetism even though you are fit to be consigned to the flames.

नापहर्तुमहं शक्या त्वया रामस्य धीमतः। विधिस्तव वधार्थाय विहितो नात्र संशयः।।5.22.21।।

nāpahartumahaṃ śakyā tvayā rāmasya dhīmataḥ| vidhistava vadhārthāya vihito nātra saṃśayaḥ

"When I was with wise Rama, it was not possible for you to abduct me. No doubt Providence has ordained this to bring about your death.

शूरेण धनदभ्रात्रा बलैः समुदितेन च। अपोह्य रामं कस्माद्धि दारचौर्यं त्वया कृतम्।।5.22.22।।

śūreṇa dhanadabhrātrā balaiḥ samuditena ca| apohya rāmaṃ kasmāddhi dāracauryaṃ tvayā kṛtam

"You are a (great) warrior and a brother of Kubera. You possess an army. Then why did you abduct Rama's wife bypassing him?"

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। विवृत्य नयने क्रूरे जानकीमन्ववैक्षत।।5.22.23।।

sītāyā vacanaṃ śrutvā rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| vivṛtya nayane krūre jānakīmanvavaikṣata

On hearing Janaki, the lord of demons, Ravana looked at her with his cruel eyes opened wide and rolling.

नीलजीमूतसङ्काशो महाभुजशिरोधरः। सिंहसत्त्वगतिः श्रीमान् दीप्त जिह्वाग्रलोचनः।।5.22.24।।

nīlajīmūtasaṅkāśo mahābhujaśirodharaḥ| siṃhasattvagatiḥ śrīmān dīpta jihvāgralocanaḥ

Prosperous Ravana looked like a mass of dark cloud, with strong arms, stout neck, gait of a lion, a blazing tongue and burning eyes

चलाग्रमकुटप्रांशुश्चित्रमाल्यानुलेपनः। रक्तमाल्याम्बरधर तत्सङ्गदविभूषणः।।5.22.25।।

calāgramakuṭaprāṃśuścitramālyānulepanaḥ| raktamālyāmbaradhara tatsaṅgadavibhūṣaṇaḥ

He appeared taller with an unsteady crown. He was wearing wonderful red flower garlands and clothes and was smeared with unguents, shining in ornamental armlets.

श्रोणिसूत्रेण महता मेचकेन सुसंवृतः। अमृतोत्पादनद्धेन भुजगेनेव मन्दरः।।5.22.26।।

śroṇisūtreṇa mahatā mecakena susaṃvṛtaḥ| amṛtotpādanaddhena bhujageneva mandaraḥ

Wrapped well with a big black thread around his hips, he appeared like mount Mandara encompassed by a black serpent at the time of churning the milkocean for nectar.

ताभ्यां स परिपूर्णाभ्यां भुजाभ्यां राक्षसेश्वरः। शुशुभेऽचलसङ्काशः शृङ्गाभ्यामिव मन्दरः।।5.22.27।।

tābhyāṃ sa paripūrṇābhyāṃ bhujābhyāṃ rākṣaseśvaraḥ| śuśubhe'calasaṅkāśaḥ śṛṅgābhyāmiva mandaraḥ

The lord of demons shone like mount Mandara, both his long two arms like two mountain peaks.

तरुणादित्यवर्णाभ्यां कुण्डलाभ्यां विभूषितः। रक्तपल्लवपुष्पाभ्यामशोकाभ्यामिवाचलः।।5.22.28।।

taruṇādityavarṇābhyāṃ kuṇḍalābhyāṃ vibhūṣitaḥ| raktapallavapuṣpābhyāmaśokābhyāmivācalaḥ

He stood like a mountain with two Ashoka trees clothed with red leaves and flowers in the form of earrings of the colour of the rising Sun.

स कल्पवृक्षप्रतिमो वसन्त इव मूर्तिमान्। श्मशानचैत्यप्रतिमो भूषितोऽपि भयङ्करः।।5.22.29।।

sa kalpavṛkṣapratimo vasanta iva mūrtimān| śmaśānacaityapratimo bhūṣito'pi bhayaṅkaraḥ

He was comparable to the wishfulfilling tree grown in heaven, a personified spring season and a memorial structure raised on the cremation ground. He looked frightening even though welladorned.

अवेक्षमाणो वैदेहीं कोपसंरक्तलोचनः। उवाच रावणः सीतां भुजङ्ग इव निःश्वसन्।।5.22.30।।

avekṣamāṇo vaidehīṃ kopasaṃraktalocanaḥ| uvāca rāvaṇaḥ sītāṃ bhujaṅga iva niḥśvasan

Looking at Vaidehi, eyes red with anger, and breathing heavily like a histing snake, Ravana replied:

अनयेनाभिसम्पन्नमर्थहीनमनुव्रते। नाशयाम्यहमद्य त्वां सूर्यः सन्ध्यामिवौजसा।।5.22.31।।

anayenābhisampannamarthahīnamanuvrate| nāśayāmyahamadya tvāṃ sūryaḥ sandhyāmivaujasā

"O Sita you are following a vow of chastity and treading a meaningless, wrong path. I will destroy you as the Sun dispels the morning twilight with his lustre".

इत्युक्त्वा मैथिलीं राजा रावणः शत्रुरावणः। सन्दिदेश ततः सर्वा राक्षसीर्घोरदर्शनाः।।5.22.32।।

ityuktvā maithilīṃ rājā rāvaṇaḥ śatrurāvaṇaḥ| sandideśa tataḥ sarvā rākṣasīrghoradarśanāḥ

King Ravana, a tormentor of enemies, having thus threatened Mythili commanded the shedemons women of fiecrceful appearance as follows:

एकाक्षीमेककर्णां च कर्णप्रावरणां तथा। गोकर्णीं हस्तिकर्णीं च लम्बकर्णीमकर्णिकाम्।।5.22.33।। हस्तिपाद्यश्वपाद्यौ च गोपादीं पादचूलिकाम्। एकाक्षीमेकपादीं च पृथुपादीमपादिकाम्।।5.22.34।। अतिमात्रशिरोग्रीवामतिमात्रकुचोदरीम्। अतिमात्रास्यनेत्रां च दीर्घजिह्वामजिह्विकाम्।।5.22.35।। अनासिकां सिंहमुखीं गोमुखीं सूकरीमुखीम्।

ekākṣīmekakarṇāṃ ca karṇaprāvaraṇāṃ tathā| gokarṇīṃ hastikarṇīṃ ca lambakarṇīmakarṇikām hastipādyaśvapādyau ca gopādīṃ pādacūlikām| ekākṣīmekapādīṃ ca pṛthupādīmapādikām atimātraśirogrīvāmatimātrakucodarīm| atimātrāsyanetrāṃ ca dīrghajihvāmajihvikām anāsikāṃ siṃhamukhīṃ gomukhīṃ sūkarīmukhīm|

Of them one had one eye, the other one ear, another with ears covered, one had the ear of a cow, another had ears of an elephant and yet another, long, hanging ears. One had the feet of an elephant, another, hoofs of a horse and still another of a cow. While one had a single foot, another had broad feet and yet another no feet at all. One had a long neck and a large head. One had large breasts and belly. One had a big face and eyes, another had a long tongue and yet another no tongue at all. One had no nose and still another had a lion face and yet another the face of a cow.

एकाक्षीमेककर्णां च कर्णप्रावरणां तथा। गोकर्णीं हस्तिकर्णीं च लम्बकर्णीमकर्णिकाम्।।5.22.33।। हस्तिपाद्यश्वपाद्यौ च गोपादीं पादचूलिकाम्। एकाक्षीमेकपादीं च पृथुपादीमपादिकाम्।।5.22.34।। अतिमात्रशिरोग्रीवामतिमात्रकुचोदरीम्। अतिमात्रास्यनेत्रां च दीर्घजिह्वामजिह्विकाम्।।5.22.35।। अनासिकां सिंहमुखीं गोमुखीं सूकरीमुखीम्।

ekākṣīmekakarṇāṃ ca karṇaprāvaraṇāṃ tathā| gokarṇīṃ hastikarṇīṃ ca lambakarṇīmakarṇikām hastipādyaśvapādyau ca gopādīṃ pādacūlikām| ekākṣīmekapādīṃ ca pṛthupādīmapādikām atimātraśirogrīvāmatimātrakucodarīm| atimātrāsyanetrāṃ ca dīrghajihvāmajihvikām anāsikāṃ siṃhamukhīṃ gomukhīṃ sūkarīmukhīm|

Of them one had one eye, the other one ear, another with ears covered, one had the ear of a cow, another had ears of an elephant and yet another, long, hanging ears. One had the feet of an elephant, another, hoofs of a horse and still another of a cow. While one had a single foot, another had broad feet and yet another no feet at all. One had a long neck and a large head. One had large breasts and belly. One had a big face and eyes, another had a long tongue and yet another no tongue at all. One had no nose and still another had a lion face and yet another the face of a cow.

एकाक्षीमेककर्णां च कर्णप्रावरणां तथा। गोकर्णीं हस्तिकर्णीं च लम्बकर्णीमकर्णिकाम्।।5.22.33।। हस्तिपाद्यश्वपाद्यौ च गोपादीं पादचूलिकाम्। एकाक्षीमेकपादीं च पृथुपादीमपादिकाम्।।5.22.34।। अतिमात्रशिरोग्रीवामतिमात्रकुचोदरीम्। अतिमात्रास्यनेत्रां च दीर्घजिह्वामजिह्विकाम्।।5.22.35।। अनासिकां सिंहमुखीं गोमुखीं सूकरीमुखीम्।

ekākṣīmekakarṇāṃ ca karṇaprāvaraṇāṃ tathā| gokarṇīṃ hastikarṇīṃ ca lambakarṇīmakarṇikām hastipādyaśvapādyau ca gopādīṃ pādacūlikām| ekākṣīmekapādīṃ ca pṛthupādīmapādikām atimātraśirogrīvāmatimātrakucodarīm| atimātrāsyanetrāṃ ca dīrghajihvāmajihvikām anāsikāṃ siṃhamukhīṃ gomukhīṃ sūkarīmukhīm|

Of them one had one eye, the other one ear, another with ears covered, one had the ear of a cow, another had ears of an elephant and yet another, long, hanging ears. One had the feet of an elephant, another, hoofs of a horse and still another of a cow. While one had a single foot, another had broad feet and yet another no feet at all. One had a long neck and a large head. One had large breasts and belly. One had a big face and eyes, another had a long tongue and yet another no tongue at all. One had no nose and still another had a lion face and yet another the face of a cow.

यथा मद्वशगा सीता क्षिप्रं भवति जानकी।।5.22.36।। तथा कुरुत राक्षस्यः सर्वाः क्षिप्रं समेत्य च।

yathā madvaśagā sītā kṣipraṃ bhavati jānakī tathā kuruta rākṣasyaḥ sarvāḥ kṣipraṃ sametya ca|

"O demonesses, all of you jointly dispose Janaki towards me. See that she submits to me at once.

प्रतिलोमानुलोमैश्च सामदानादिभेदनैः।।5.22.37।। आवर्जयत वैदेहीं दण्डस्योद्यमनेन च।

pratilomānulomaiśca sāmadānādibhedanaiḥ āvarjayata vaidehīṃ daṇḍasyodyamanena ca|

"By adopting means favourable or contrary to her will or through persuasion or coercion or through reward or punishment, draw Vaidehi's mind towards me." (said Ravana).

इति प्रतिसमादिश्य राक्षसेन्द्रः पुनः पुनः।।5.22.38।। काममन्युपरीतात्मा जानकीं पर्यतर्जयत्।

iti pratisamādiśya rākṣasendraḥ punaḥ punaḥ kāmamanyuparītātmā jānakīṃ paryatarjayat|

The demon king repeatedly commanded the ogresses burning in anger and passion and threatened Sita again and again, pointing his finger at her.

उपगम्य ततः शीघ्रं राक्षसी धान्यमालिनी।।5.22.39।। परिष्वज्य दशग्रीवमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।

upagamya tataḥ śīghraṃ rākṣasī dhānyamālinī pariṣvajya daśagrīvamidaṃ vacanamabravīt|

An ogress called Dhanyamalini at once approached the tenheaded Ravana and embracing him, said:.

मया क्रीड महाराज सीतया किं तवानया।।5.22.40।। विवर्णया कृपणया मानुष्या राक्षसेश्वर।

mayā krīḍa mahārāja sītayā kiṃ tavānayā vivarṇayā kṛpaṇayā mānuṣyā rākṣaseśvara|

"O king of demons, sport with me, my lord. What purpose will be served with this pale wretched Sita, a human being after all?

नूनमस्या महाराज न दिव्यान् भोगसत्तमान्।।5.22.41।। विदधात्यमरश्रेष्ठस्तव बाहुबलार्जितान्।

nūnamasyā mahārāja na divyān bhogasattamān vidadhātyamaraśreṣṭhastava bāhubalārjitān|

"O king surely she is not ordained by Brahma, the foremost among the immortals to enjoy the luxuries earned by the strength of your arms.

अकामां कामयानस्य शरीरमुपतप्यते।।5.22.42।। इच्छन्तीं कामयानस्य प्रीतिर्भवति शोभना।

akāmāṃ kāmayānasya śarīramupatapyate icchantīṃ kāmayānasya prītirbhavati śobhanā|

The body of a man who desires a woman without desire is only tormented; but for one who desires a willing woman, the pleasure is delightful.

एवमुक्तस्तु राक्षस्या समुत्क्षिप्तस्ततो बली।।5.22.43।। प्रहसन्मेघसङ्काशो राक्षसः स न्यवर्तत।

evamuktastu rākṣasyā samutkṣiptastato balī prahasanmeghasaṅkāśo rākṣasaḥ sa nyavartata|

Having heard her words, the demon king who resembled a fierce dark cloud turned away, laughing heartily.

प्रस्थितः स दशग्रीवः कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम्।।5.22.44।। ज्वलद्भास्करवर्णाभं प्रविवेश निवेशनम्।

prasthitaḥ sa daśagrīvaḥ kampayanniva medinīm jvaladbhāskaravarṇābhaṃ praviveśa niveśanam|

Thereupon the tennecked demon departed, as if he was shaking the earth and entered his residence which was shining like the blazing midday Sun.

देवगन्धर्वकन्याश्च नागकन्याश्च सर्वतः।।5.22.45।। परिवार्य दशग्रीवं विविशुस्तं गृहोत्तमम्।

devagandharvakanyāśca nāgakanyāśca sarvataḥ parivārya daśagrīvaṃ viviśustaṃ gṛhottamam|

Then the daughters of gods, gandharvas and nagas gathered round and followed him into his excellent palace.

स मैथिलीं धर्मपरामवस्थितां प्रपेपमानां परिभर्त्स्य रावणः। विहाय सीतां मदनेन मोहितः स्वमेव वेश्म प्रविवेश भास्वरम्।।5.22.46।।

sa maithilīṃ dharmaparāmavasthitāṃ prapepamānāṃ paribhartsya rāvaṇaḥ| vihāya sītāṃ madanena mohitaḥ svameva veśma praviveśa bhāsvaram

Having derided Mythili trembling in fear yet steadfast in treading the righteous path, Ravana, overpowered with passion left her and entered his glittering mansion. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये सुन्दरकाण्डे द्वाविंशस्सर्गः। Thus ends twentysecond sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.