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Srimad Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa | Araṇya Kāṇḍa ~ Sarga 55 of 75

Araṇya Kāṇḍa : Book of the Forest || Total Sargas (or) Chapters: 75

Abstract: The forest life of Rama with Sita and Lakshmana, his constant companion. The kidnapping of Sita by the demon king Ravana.

Sarga (chapter): 55 of 75 || śloka (verses): 37

Araṇya Kāṇḍa Sarg 55 of 75: Audio pending upload....     
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Vālmīki (Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि)

Vālmīki (Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि)



Introduction

Ravana entices Seetha to marry him by demonstrating various luxuries and comforts, and even baiting her to become his empress. The words of Ravana have some latent meanings as derived by ancient commentators and they are included here, as far as possible.

संदिश्य राक्षसान् घोरान् रावणो अष्टौ महाबलान् |
आत्मानम् बुद्धि वैक्लव्यात् कृत कृत्यम् अमन्यत || ३-५५-१
saMdishya raakShasaan ghoraan raavaNo aShTau mahaabalaan |
aatmaanam buddhi vaiklavyaat kR^ita kR^ityam amanyata || 3-55-1


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.1

1. raavaNaH = Ravana; mahaa balaan aSTau ghoraan raakSasaan = great-mighty, eight, ghastly, demons; samdishya = on directing; buddhi vaiklavyaat = by mind’s, hypocrisy; aatmaanam = himself – in heart of hearts; kR^ita kR^ityam amanyata = accomplished, [a great] feat, deemed [amused.]

On directing those eight ghastly demons Ravana is amused in his heart of hearts that he has accomplished a great feat. [3-55-1] .

स चिंतयानो वैदेहीम् काम बाण संप्रपीडितः |
प्रविवेश गृहम् रम्यम् सीताम् द्रष्टुम् अभित्वरन् || ३-५५-२
sa ci.ntayaano vaidehiim kaama baaNa saMprapiiDitaH |
pravivesha gR^iham ramyam siitaam draShTum abhitvaran || 3-55-2


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.2

2. saH vaidehiim cintayaanaH = he, upon Vaidehi [alone,] musing [continually]; kaama baaNa sam pra piiDitaH = by Love-god’s, arrows, very, much, tormented; siitaam draSTum abhi tvaran = at Seetha, to lay eyes on, post, hastily; ramyam gR^iham pravivesha = beautiful, palace, he entered.

On continually musing upon Vaidehi Ravana is tormented with the arrows of Love-god, thereby to lay eyes on Seetha he post-hastily entered the beautiful palace. [3-55-2] .

स प्रविश्य तु तत् वेश्म रावणो राक्षस अधिपः |
अपश्यत् राक्षसी मध्ये सीताम् दुःख परायणम् || ३-५५-३
sa pravishya tu tat veshma raavaNo raakShasa adhipaH |
apashyat raakShasii madhye siitaam duHkha paraayaNam || 3-55-3


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.3

3. raakSasa adhipaH saH raavaNaH = demons, supremo, he, that Ravana; tat veshma pravishya = that, house [palace-chamber,] on entering; raakSasii madhye = demonesses, amongst; duHkha paraayaNam siitaam = ruefulness, overwhelmed by, at Seetha; apashyat = he beheld.

On entering the palace-chamber that supremo of demons beheld Seetha overwhelmed with ruefulness amongst demonesses. [3-55-3] .

अश्रु पूर्ण मुखीम् दीनाम् शोक भार अवपीडिताम् |
वायु वेगैः इव आक्रांताम् मज्जन्तीम् नावम् अर्णवे || ३-५५-४
मृग यूथ परिभ्रष्टाम् मृगीम् श्वभिः इव आवृताम् |
अधोगत मुखीम् सीताम् ताम् अभ्येत्य निशाचरः || ३-५५-५
ताम् तु शोक वशात् दीनाम् अवशाम् राक्षस अधिपः |
स बलात् दर्शयामास गृहम् देव गृह उपमम् || ३-५५-६
ashru puurNa mukhiim diinaam shoka bhaara avapiiDitaam |
vaayu vegaiH iva aakraa.ntaam majjantiim naavam ar.hNave || 3-55-4
mR^iga yuutha paribhraShTaam mR^igiim shvabhiH iva aavR^itaam |
adhogata mukhiim siitaam taam abhyetya nishaacaraH || 3-55-5
taam tu shoka vashaat diinaam avashaam raakShasa adhipaH |
sa balaat darshayaamaasa gR^iham deva gR^iha upamam || 3-55-6


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.4 to 3.55.6

4, 5, 6. ashru puurNa mukhiim = tears, brimming over, visage; diinaam = pitiful [browbeaten]; shoka bhaara ava piiDitaam = bewailing, burthen, down, trodden; vaayu vegaiH = by air’s, speed by whirlwinds; aakraantaam = routed – spreadeagled; arNave = in ocean; majjantiim naavam iva = about to sink [about to capsize,] boat, who is alike; mR^iga yuutha pari bhraSTaam = impala, herd, altogether, swerved from; shvabhiH aavR^itaam = by dog-wolves, hemmed in; mR^igiim iva = an impala, alike; adhaH gata mukhiim = down, gone [cast,] faced; taam siitaam = towards her, [to such a] Seetha; nishaa caraH = night, walker; = ; abhi etya = nigh, came; and; shoka vashaat diinaam = of sorrow, by shackles, pitiable one [Seetha]; a vashaam = not, in her own control; taam = her [to her]; saH raakSasa adhipaH = he, that demons’, supremo; balaat = forcefully, compellingly; deva gR^iha upamam = god’s, palace, [paradisiacal palace,] similar to; gR^iham = [his] palace; darshayaamaasa = started to show.

She whose visage is brimming over with tears, one browbeaten and downtrodden with the burden of bewail, one capsized like a boat that is about to capsize in an ocean spreadeagled with whirlwinds, and one alike an impala altogether swerved from its herd of impala yet hemmed in with dog-wolves, that nightwalker came nigh of such a Seetha whose face is downcast unwilling to see any, and to such a pitiable Seetha who is in the shackles of her sorrow, that supremo of demons compellingly started to show his palace which is similar to any paradisiacal palace. [3-55-4, 5, 6]

Then he must have hauled her by her hand or demonesses must have dragged all along the corridors, chambers and all over, or as usual, he must have carried her on his flank to show his palace. Taking this situation and the statement at verse 1, aatmaanam buddhi vaiklavyaat Rama Tilaka negates the idea that Seetha is brought to Lanka as a much cherished Goddess Lakshmi, but her bringing is only with a villainous intent. Even then, the supporters of Ravana – the devotee – disagree. There are many such slants given to Ravana’s dialogs, to portray him as a devotee, in this chapter itself.

हर्म्य प्रासाद संबधम् स्त्री सहस्र निषेवितम् |
नाना पक्षि गणैः जुष्टम् नाना रत्न समन्वितम् || ३-५५-७
दान्तकैः तापनीयैः च स्फाटिकै राजतैः तथा |
वज्र वैदूर्य चित्रैः च स्तम्भैः दृष्टि मनोरमैः || ३-५५-८
दिव्य दुन्दुभि निर्घोषम् तप्त कांचन भूषणम् |
harmya praasaada saMbadham strii sahasra niShevitam |
naanaa pakShi gaNaiH juShTam naanaa ratna samanvitam || 3-55-7
daantakaiH taapaniiyaiH ca sphaaTikai raajataiH tathaa |
vajra vaiduurya citraiH ca stambhaiH dR^iShTi manoramaiH || 3-55-8
divya dundubhi nir.hghoSham tapta kaa.ncana bhuuShaNam |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.7 to 3.55.9a

7, 8, 9a. [naanaa ] harmya praasaada sambadham = with [innumerable] skyscrapers, cupolaed, congestive; strii sahasra niSevitam = females, thousands, adored by; naanaa pakSi gaNaiH juSTam = diverse, bird, bevies, frequented by; naanaa ratna samanvitam = numerous, gemstones, comprised of; [tat deva gR^iha upamam gR^iham dashagrrivasya = that paradisiacal palace like mansion house of Decahedral Ravana;] daantakaiH = with ivory-work; taapaniiyaiH ca = gilt-work, also; sphaaTikai raajataiH api = with quartz-work, silvern-work, even; tathaa = likewise; vajra vaiduurya = with diamond, lapis works; citraiH [ citritaiH ] ca = amazingly, [ellipt. glided, gild the lily type] also; dR^iSTi manaH ramaiH = for a look, for hearts, pleasing; stambhaiH = with pillars; divya dundubhi nirghoSam = with divine, drums’, drumbeats; tapta kaancana = molten [pure,] gold; bhuuSaNam [or, toraNam] = adorned by, [having archways]

That paradisiacal mansion house of Decahedral Ravana is congestive with innumerable cupolaed skyscrapers, adored with thousands of females, frequented by diverse bevies of birds, and it comprised of numerous gemstones. The pillars are amazingly gilded with engraving of ivory, gilt, quartz, silvern linocuts, and they are even embossed with diamonds and with lapis gems, which are heart-pleasing for a look. The drumbeats of divine drums are echoing in entire palace, and its archways are adorned with the gildings of pure gold. [3-55-7, 8, 9a] .

सोपानम् कांचनम् चित्रम् आरुरोह तया सह || ३-५५-९
दान्तका राजताः चैव गवाक्षाः प्रिय दर्शनाः |
हेम जाला आवृताः च आसन् तत्र प्रासाद पंक्तयः || ३-५५-१०
sopaanam kaa.ncanam citram aaruroha tayaa saha || 3-55-9
daantakaa raajataaH caiva gavaakShaaH priya darshanaaH |
hema jaalaa aavR^itaaH ca aasan tatra praasaada pa.nk{}tayaH || 3-55-10


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.9b, 3.55.10

9b, 10. kaancanam citram sopaanam = wonderful, golden, staircase; tayaa saha aaruroha = her [Seetha,] along with, [Ravana] walked up; tatra = there; daantakaa raajataaH caiva = ivoried, silvered, also thus; priya darshanaaH gavaakSaaH = amusing, for sight, windows; hema jaalaa aavR^itaaH ca = golden, nets [window-blinds,] covered with, also; praasaada panktayaH = skyscraper, rows of[ aasan = are there.

Ravana walked up the wonderful golden staircase along with Seetha, and the rows of skyscrapers with windows that are ivoried and silvered and with window-blinds are seen from the windows of the landing on that flight of stairs, which are also ivoried and silvered windows with window-blinds, and all are amusing for sight. [3-55-9b, 10]

Did she walk on her own or was she dragged on the flight of stairs? Yes! She had to walk up the staircase after Ravana, but defiantly and straggly.

सुधा मणि विचित्राणि भूमि भागानि सर्वशः |
दशग्रीवः स्व भवने प्रादर्शयत मैथिलीम् || ३-५५-११
sudhaa maNi vicitraaNi bhuumi bhaagaani sarvashaH |
dashagriivaH sva bhavane praadarshayata maithiliim || 3-55-11


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.11

11. dashagriivaH = Decahedral Ravana; sva bhavane = in his own, palace; sarvashaH = all over; sudhaa = white [whitewashed, or, white-marbled] maNi vicitraaNi = diamond [encrusted,] amazing; bhuumi bhaagaani = earth’s, divisions [stories, multiple – multi-stories]; maithiliim praadarshayata = to Maithili, he displayed.

That Decahedral Ravana displayed the multiple stories of his own palace which is all over white-marbled and diamond encrusted to Maithili. [3-55-11] .

दीर्घिकाः पुष्करिण्यः च नाना पुष्प समावृताः |
रावणो दर्शयामास सीताम् शोक परायणाम् || ३-५५-१२
diirghikaaH puShkariNyaH ca naanaa puShpa samaavR^itaaH |
raavaNo darshayaamaasa siitaam shoka paraayaNaam || 3-55-12


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.12

12. raavaNaH = Ravana; diirghikaaH = wellsprings [descendible ones]; naanaa puSpa samaavR^itaaH puSkariNyaH = diverse, flowers, overspread with, leisure pools; shoka paraayaNaam siitaam = anguish, languishing under, to Seetha; darshayaamaasa = continued to display.

Ravana continued to display the descendible wellsprings and leisure pools from which diverse flowers have sprung and overspread them, regardless of Seetha’s languishing under her anguish. [3-55-12]

Has she seen all these riches of Ravana? Yes! She had seen, but in disdain and scorn. Refraining and desisting from allurement is possible only on seeing the objects of lure. And yielding to such an opulent demon or his opulence, just for the sake of carnality, is beyond the scope of Seetha’s thinking according to her reply to Ravana, in next chapter ‘all this affluence is going to be reduced to ashes…’ keeping Rama in view as the reducing agent, for Hanuma, the actual reducer of this affluence, is yet an unknown entity .

दर्शयित्वा तु वैदेहीम् कृत्स्नम् तत् भवन उत्तमम् |
उवाच वाक्यम् पापात्मा सीताम् लोभितुम् इच्छया || ३-५५-१३
dar.hshayitvaa tu vaidehiim kR^itsnam tat bhavana uttamam |
uvaaca vaakyam paapaatmaa siitaam lobhitum icchhayaa || 3-55-13


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.13

13. paapaatmaa = dirty-minded one; kR^itsnam tat bhavana uttamam = entirely, that, palace, best one; vaidehiim darshayitvaa = to Vaidehi, on flaunting siitaam icChayaa lobhitum = Seetha, by lust, in order to tempt; vaakyam uvaaca = sentence, spoke [to her.]

On flaunting his best palace in its entirety to Vaidehi that dirty-minded Ravana spoke this sentence to Seetha in order that she may be tempted on her own, lustily. [3-55-13] .

दश राक्षस कोट्यः च द्वाविंशतिः अथ अपराः |
वर्जयित्वा जरा वृद्धान् बालान् च रजनीचरान् || ३-५५-१४
तेषाम् प्रभुः अहम् सीते सर्वेषाम् भीम कर्मणाम् |
dasha raakShasa koTyaH ca dvaaviMshatiH atha aparaaH |
var.hjayitvaa jaraa vR^iddhaan baalaan ca rajaniicaraan || 3-55-14
teShaam prabhuH aham siite sarveShaam bhiima karmaNaam |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.14,3.55.15a

14, 15a. siite = oh, Seetha; jaraa vR^iddhaan baalaan ca = weakish, oldish, youngish, also; varjayitvaa = omitting; dasha = ten; raakSasa koTyaH = for demons, , crores of – for ten crores of demons are there; atha aparaaH = then, further – furthermore; dvaa vimshatiH = two, twenty [twenty-two crores are there – total ten twenty two = thirty three crores of demons are there]; bhiima karmaNaam rajaniicaraan = of ghastly, exploits, night walkers; teSaam = for them – demons; sarveSaam = for all of them; aham prabhuH = I am, the lord.

“Oh, Seetha, ten crores of first-rated demons are there, furthermore, twenty-two crores of demons of ghastly exploits are there, thus all put together, three hundred twenty millions of demons are there in Lanka, omitting the weakish, oldish, youngish demons. For all of them I am the lord.” Thus Ravana started his self-eulogy. [3-55-14, 15a] .

सहस्रम् एकम् एकस्य मम कार्य पुरःसरम् || ३-५५-१५
यत् इदम् राज्य तंत्रम् मे त्वयि सर्वम् प्रतिष्ठितम् |
जीवितम् च विशालाक्षि त्वम् मे प्राणैः गरीयसी || ३-५५-१६
sahasram ekam ekasya mama kaarya puraHsaram || 3-55-15
yat idam raajya ta.ntram me tvayi sarvam pratiShThitam |
jiivitam ca vishaalaakShi tvam me praaNaiH gariiyasii || 3-55-16


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.15b, 3.55.16

15b, 16. ekasya = for [every] single [work of mine]; mama = of mine; ekam sahasram = one, thousand [servitors]; kaarya puraHsaram = work, will be ahead of – will rush in; yat idam raajya tantram = which, this, sovereignty’s, suzerainty is there; that and; sarvam jiivitam ca = entire, life, also [of mine]; tvayi pratiSThitam = in you, is pledged – a thing given as a token of love, favour, or something to come; vishaalaakSi = oh, broad-eyed one; tvam me praaNaiH gariiyasii = you are, to me, by lives, loftier.

“For every single work of mine a thousand servitors will rush in. Such as I am I pledge entire life of mine along with the suzerainty of this sovereign city-state Lanka to you, oh, broad-eyed lady, for you are loftier than my lives. [3-55-15b, 16] .

बह्वीनाम् उत्तम स्त्रीणाम् मम यो असौ परिग्रहः |
तासाम् त्वम् ईश्वरी सीते मम भार्या भव प्रिये || ३-५५-१७
bahviinaam uttama striiNaam mama yo asau parigrahaH |
taasaam tvam iishvarii siite mama bhaaryaa bhava priye || 3-55-17


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.17

17. siite = oh, Seetha; bahviinaam uttama striiNaam = for countless, of finest [fabric,] females; yaH asau parigrahaH = which, this, capturing, [or, marrying, or amassing]; is there – to those that are collected by me; taasaam = for them; tvam iishvarii bhava = you, empress, become; priye = oh, dear; mama bhaaryaa bhava [yadi bhavati cet] = mine, wife, you become [if only you become.]

“Oh, Seetha, you will become an empress for all of the those countless females of finest fabric amassed by me, oh, dear, if only you marry me. [3-55-17]

dhvani/innuendo: Ravana the devotee is saying: ‘oh, Seetha… you become my empress and lord over me and all of my wives that are amassed by me… for, You are the most adorable Goddess Lakshmi, and now though appearing in a gross form of Seetha, you are the real Subtlety, Goddess Lakshmi… bhaaryaa; bhaa= cidruupiNii= oh, Subtlety; aaryaa = oh, adorable one; a+bhava = oh, Redeemer; priye = most adorable Goddess Lakshmi.’ .

साधु किम् ते अन्यया बुद्ध्या रोचयस्व वचो मम |
भजस्व मा अभितप्तस्य प्रसादम् कर्तुम् अर्हसि || ३-५५-१८
saadhu kim te anyayaa buddhyaa rocayasva vaco mama |
bhajasva maa abhitaptasya prasaadam kartum ar.hhasi || 3-55-18


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.18

18. te = to you; anyayaa buddhyaa kim = by converse, thinking, what [is the use]; saadhu = amiably; mama vacaH rocayasva = my, words, be keen on; [kaama ] abhitaptasya bhajasva = [in desire,] one who is burning with; maam = to me; prasaadam kartum arhasi = compassion, to do [to show,] apt of you.

“You be keen on my amiable words and it will be apt of you to show compassion on me, for I have burning desire for you, and of what use is your thinking conversely about that long-lost Rama? [3-55-18]

dhvani/innuendo: The word kaama is ellipted here as it appears in other mms. Then it is said ‘ kaama ‘desirous… I have the burning desire of regaining my servitude at your door…’ thus maam bhajasva ‘me, you accept accordingly…’ .

परिक्षिप्ता समुद्रेण लंका इयम् शत योजना |
न इयम् धर्षयितुम् शक्या स इन्द्रैः अपि सुर असुरैः || ३-५५-१९
parikShiptaa samudreNa la.nkaa iyam shata yojanaa |
na iyam dhar.hShayitum shakyaa sa indraiH api sura asuraiH || 3-55-19


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.19

19. shata yojana = with hundred, yojana-s [widthwise]; iyam lankaa = this, Lanka; samudreNa parikSiptaa = by ocean, roundly enshrouded; sa indraiH = along with, by Indra; sura asuraiH api = for gods, demons, even; iyam dharSayitum = this, to assail; na shakyaa = not, [Lanka] possible.

“It is impossible to assail this Lanka even for Indra with all of the gods and demons, as an ocean roundly enshrouds this Lanka which is hundred-yojana-s witdthwise. [3-55-19] .

न देवेषु न यक्षेषु न गंधर्वेषु न ऋषिषु |
अहम् पश्यामि लोकेषु यो मे वीर्य समो भवेत् || ३-५५-२०
na deveShu na yakSheShu na ga.ndharveShu na R^iShiShu |
aham pashyaami lokeShu yo me viirya samo bhavet || 3-55-20


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.20

20. lokeSu = in world; yaH me viirya samaH = he who, mine, vitality, equal [matchable to]; bhavet = is there; him; aham = I; deveSu na pashyaami = among gods, not, seeing; yakSeSu na = among yaksha-s, no; gandharveSu na = among gandharva-s, no; R^iSiSu na = among sage, no.

“I behold none matchable to my vitality is existent among gods; among yaksha-s – no; among gandharva-s – no; among sages – no, nor anyone in any world. [3-55-20] .

राज्य भ्रष्टेन दीनेन तापसेन पदातिना |
किम् करिष्यसि रामेण मानुषेण अल्प तेजसा || ३-५५-२१
raajya bhraShTena diinena taapasena padaatinaa |
kim kariShyasi raameNa maanuSheNa alpa tejasaa || 3-55-21


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.21

21. raajya bhraSTena = with [the one who is] from kingdom, overthrown [dethroned]; diinena = hapless; maanuSeNa = with human; [in other mms: gata aayuSaa = gone, lives – with diminished lifespan;] alpa tejasaa = of littlest, vitality; taapasena = a seer; padaatinaa = vagrant; raameNa = with [such] Rama; kim kariSyasi = what, you do – you achieve.

“What can you achieve with that dethroned, hapless, seer, vagrant Rama who is short-lived, for after all, he is a human with littlest vitality? [3-55-21]

dhvani/innuendo: Ravana, the devotee is saying: ‘Why this wasteful lamenting about an un-lamentable entity, called Rama, for he is raajya bhraSTa yena ‘by whom enemies are dethroned…’ raajyaat bhrSTaa ripavo yasmaat tena and take this as one word diinenataapasenagataayuSaa by which I mean… diina ina taapasa ina gata aayuSaa where ina means ‘lord…’ thus a lord of hapless, a lord for seers, and maanuSeNa gataayuSaa whereby ‘for a man who gained longevity…’ that is ekaa dasha sahasra samvatsara parimita aayuSa yena gataH – praaptaH, saH ‘one who has achieved eleven thousands years of age in human incarnation…’ in which he has to lord over and save the saints, sages, seers and such hapless lot…’ and alpa tejasaa by which I mean alpam itareSaam teejo yasmaat tena ‘by whom others’ resplendency is dwindled and lessened, just by his own resplendence… about such raameNa kim? Why you bother about such Rama, since he is parama puruSa the Supreme Person? .

भजस्व सीते माम् एव भर्ता अहम् सदृशः तव |
यौवनम् हि अध्रुवम् भीरु रमस्व इह मया सह || ३-५५-२२
bhajasva siite maam eva bhartaa aham sadR^ishaH tava |
yauvanam hi adhruvam bhiiru ramasva iha mayaa saha || 3-55-22


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.22

22. siite = oh, Seetha; maam eva bhajasva = me, only, apotheosise; aham tava sadR^ishaH bhartaa = I am, your, seemliest, husband; bhiiru = oh, jumpy lady; yauvanam a dhruvam hi = primeness, not, permanent, indeed; iha mayaa saha ramasva = here, me, along with, delight.

“Oh, Seetha, you apotheosise me only for I am your seemliest husband, oh, jumpy lady, indeed, primeness has impermanence, thus here you be blithesome with me. [3-55-22]

dhvani/innuendo: Ravana, the devotee is saying, me yauvanam ‘my lifespan…’ where the word yauvana indicates total lifespan from childhood, to young age, to old age… ‘Thereby the total lifespan of mine is a + dhruvam ‘impermanent…’ life itself is impermanent… and with elliptic yataH ‘whereby…’ aham tava sadR^ishaH ‘I am your seemliest… bhartaa; bibharti shushruuSa aadinaa svaaminam iti bharta= sevakaH ‘a servant…’ and with elliptic ataH ‘thereby…’ maa bhajava ‘me alone, you deify, as un-godly beings cannot be in the service of Goddess Lakshmi… take me as your servant…’ maameva= maa ava ‘me, deliver… accord deliverance…’ for that you stay here in Lanka maya saha which cleaves like maa= lakshmi, raajya lakshmi ‘with Fortune of Kingdom…’ saha ‘along with…’ ramasva ‘you grace us…’

‘Whereby my lifespan is impermanent to adore you, thereby you deify me from this accursed being to be in your service constantly… for which I am the seemliest servant of yours… for that you stay in Lanka and grace me and this Fortune of Kingdom, till the arrival of Rama, and then accord deliverance through Rama…

दर्शने मा कृथाः बुद्धिम् राघवस्य वरानने |
का अस्य शक्तिः इह आगंतुम् अपि सीते मनोरथैः || ३-५५-२३
dar.hshane maa kR^ithaaH buddhim raaghavasya varaanane |
kaa asya shaktiH iha aaga.ntum api siite manorathaiH || 3-55-23


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.23

23. vara aanane = oh, beautifully, visaged lady; raaghavasya darshane = of Raghava, to see; buddhim maa kR^ithaaH = mind, do not, do [do not half a half mind, needless to think]; siite = oh, Seetha; asya manaH rathaiH api = by his, thought [wits,] by chariot, even – even by his thinking he cannot come here; iha aagantum = here, to come; kaa shaktiH = what is, calibre.

“Oh, beautifully visaged lady, it is needless to have half a mind to see that Raghava, oh, Seetha, even if his wits chariot him what is his calibre to come thither crossing an un-crossable ocean? [3-55-23]

dhvani/innuendo: Rama is living by his own wits and wisdom to come to Lanka, and his chariot called heart, is ambitiously steered by that chariot’s horses, called the five senses of Rama, towards Lanka alone all through this incarnation. And bechanced is that time and opportunity, thus he has to come here, hence oh, Seetha, you needn’t worry….

न शक्यो वायुः आकाशे पाशैः बद्धम् महाजवः |
दीप्यमानस्य वा अपि अग्नेः ग्रहीतुम् विमलाम् शिखाम् || ३-५५-२४
na shakyo vaayuH aakaashe paashaiH baddham mahaajavaH |
diipyamaanasya vaa api agneH grahiitum vimalaam shikhaam || 3-55-24


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.24

24. mahaa javaH vaayuH = gusty, cyclonic, currents of air; aakaashe paashaiH baddham = in mid air, with ropes, to knot; na shakyaH = not, possible; diipyamaanasya agneH = irradiant, fire’s; vimalaam shikhaam = unmarred [radiative,] tongues [of fire]; grahiitum api vaa = even, or [more so,] to lay hold of; [na shakyaH = not practicable.]

“It is impossible to knot the currents of cyclonic gusts in mid air, more so, it is impracticable to lay hold on the tongues of radiately irradiant fire. [3-55-24] .

त्रयाणाम् अपि लोकानाम् न तम् पश्यामि शोभने |
विक्रमेण नयेत् यः त्वाम् मत् बाहु परिपालिताम् || ३-५५-२५
trayaaNaam api lokaanaam na tam pashyaami shobhane |
vikrameNa nayet yaH tvaam mat baahu paripaalitaam || 3-55-25


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.25

25. shobhane = oh, benefactress of bliss; trayaaNaam lokaanaam api = threefold, in worlds, even; yaH = he [who can]; mat baahu paripaalitaam tvaam = by my, [mighty] arms, fended off, you; vikrameNa nayet = by [his] valour, lead [back]; tam na pashyaami = him, not, I envisage.

“Oh, benefactress of bliss, he who can lead you back with his valour, while you are being fended off by my mighty arms, him I do not envisage even in any one world of this threefold world. [3-55-25]

dhvani/innuendo: ‘Who can manaH rathaiH api wishfully iha aagantum enter this Lanka, and if tried, he becomes a straw in the gale or char in flame… hence tam na pashyaami I don’t foresee anyone else… raamam vinaa, iti seSaH ‘excepting Rama…’ ellipted. Thus, Rama is scheduled to come here as we have our own dealings, hence maa kR^ithaaH buddhim darshane raamasya don’t get perturbed at mind in not seeing Rama… he comes soon…’ .

लंकायाम् सुमहत् राज्यम् इदम् त्वम् अनुपालय |
त्वत् प्रेष्या मत् विधा चैव देवाः च अपि चर अचरम् || ३-५५-२६
la.nkaayaam sumahat raajyam idam tvam anupaalaya |
tvat preShyaa mat vidhaa caiva devaaH ca api cara acaram || 3-55-26


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.26

26. tvam = you; lankaayaam = of Lanka; su mahat = very, great one; idam raajyam = this, empire; anupaalaya = you rule over; mat vidhaa = me [and mine,] like; devaaH caiva = gods, also thus; cara acaram = mobile, sessile – beings; tvat preSyaa = your, [royal] stewards – they will become.

“You rule over this very great empire of Lanka as an empress of Lanka, while me and mine, also thus all gods like me who hitherto are under my rule, and all mobile and sessile entities of whom I am the ruler, they too will hereafter make ourselves useful as your royal stewards, if you marry me. [3-55-26]

From now on Ravana is dedicating whatever he has or acquired to his benefactress, Goddess Lakshmi. By saying madvidhaa ‘me-like…’ it is aatma samarpaNa self-dedication…’ lankaayaam raajyam anu paalaya ‘from Lanka you rule over…’ this is aatmiiya samarpaNa ‘selfless dedication…’ .

अभिषेक उदक क्लिन्ना तुष्टा च रमयस्व माम् |
दुष्कृतम् यत् पुरा कर्म वन वासेन तद् गतम् || ३-५५-२७
यत् च ते सुकृतो धर्मः तस्य इह फलम् आप्नुहि |
abhiSheka udaka klinnaa tuShTaa ca ramayasva maam |
duShkR^itam yat puraa karma vana vaasena tad gatam || 3-55-27
yat ca te sukR^ito dharmaH tasya iha phalam aapnuhi |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.27, 3.55.28a

27, 28a. abhiSeka udaka klinnaa = anointment, waters, wet by; tuSTaa ca = be elated, also; maam ramayasva = me, you delight; puraa = earlier – in bygone times; yat duSkR^itam karma = which, misdealt, deed – bad-luck; tat vana vaasena gatam = that, in forests, by dwelling, is bygone; te yat sukR^itaH dharmaH = your, which, well-done, dutiable [to become my empress]; tasya phalam iha aapnuhi = its [that deed’s,] fruit, here, you secure.

“Wet with the waters of anointment you be elated and then delight me. By your damnable dwelling in forests bygone is your bad-luck that you misdealt in bygone times. And what dutiable good deed is to be done by you in marrying me, you do that now, and secure the fruits of that good deed here by marrying me. [3-55-27, 28a]

dhvani/innuendo: ‘A damnable demon living in vana vaasena where vana is to betaken as waters, ‘suchlike me living in an island surrounded by oceanic waters…’ mayaa, iti sheSaH ellipted ‘by me…’ puraa yat duSkR^itam karma – kR^itam iti sheSaH ‘earlier what sinful act…’ ellipted ‘was done…’ tat= duSkarma; tava= mama iSTa devataa darshana maatreNa – gataH ‘that sin – just by the chance of seeing my choicest deity Goddess Lakshmi – it has gone…’ puraa maya sukR^ito yo dharmaH ‘by which good deed I have done earlier…’ tasya phalam ‘its good results…’ te – nivedayaami ‘I surrender unto you… tat aapnuhi ‘that you kindly accept…’

‘As a damnable and islanded demon living amidst water surrounded island, what all the evil-acts done by me are evanished just by getting a glimpse of my choicest deity Goddess Lakshmi in you, thus I am absolved of all demerits… and any merit, if remnant with me by my performing some good deeds, intentionally or unintentionally, I surrender the fruits of all those merits even, unto to you… pray accept…’ .

इह सर्वाणि माल्यानि दिव्य गंधानि मैथिलि || ३-५५-२८
भूषणानि च मुख्यानि तानि सेव मया सह |
iha sar.hvaaNi maalyaani divya ga.ndhaani maithili || 3-55-28
bhuuShaNaani ca mukhyaani taani seva mayaa saha |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.28b, 3.55.28c

28b, c. maithili = oh, Maithili; iha = here, in Lanka; divya gandhaani = divinely, fragranced; sarvaaNi maalyaani = all, garlands; mukhyaani bhuuSaNaani ca = topmost, jewellery, also; taani = them; mayaa saha = me, with; seva = make use of – you dress up with them.

“Oh, Maithili, here all the garlands are divinely fragranced and the jewellery is topmost, you will dress up with them along with me should you become my wife. [3-55-28b]

dhvani/innuendo: A woman is attractable by embellishments and nothing is uncommon about it. A commonplace devotee offers just a leaf, or a mere fruit, or at least water to his deity as Bhagavad Gita said: phalam, puSpam, toyam ‘a fruit, a leaf or water is enough to satisfy God…’ since a mountainous God cannot be appeased with mountainy offerings. But here Ravana, the devotee wants to embellish his deity with divinely garlands and topmost jewellery… maya – samarpitaani iti sheSaH ‘by me…’ ellipted: ‘offered…’ saha= ekadaiva ‘at least once…’ sevasva ‘accept them…’ ‘Touch my offerings at least for once… thereby I deem that I am graced by you…’ .

पुष्पकम् नाम सुश्रोणि भ्रातुः वैश्रवणस्य मे || ३-५५-२९
विमानम् सूर्य संकाशम् तरसा निर्जितम् रणे |
puShpakam naama sushroNi bhraatuH vaishravaNasya me || 3-55-29
vimaanam suurya sa.nkaasham tarasaa nirjitam raNe |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.29b, 3.55.30a

29b, 30a. sushroNi = oh, well-waisted one; me bhraatuH vaishravaNasya = my, of brother, Vaishravana [Kubera’s]; puSpakam naama = Pushpaka, known as; suurya sankaasham vimaanam = sun, similar in shine, aircraft; tarasaa [mayaa] nirjitam raNe = by might, [by me,] notched up, in war.

“Oh, well-waisted lady, just by my might I notched up an aircraft known as Pushpaka from my brother Kubera in a war with him, which is similar sun in its shine. [3-55-29b. 30a] .

विशालम् रमणीयम् च तत् विमानम् मनो जवम् || ३-५५-३०
तत्र सीते मया सार्धम् विहरस्व यथा सुखम् |
vishaalam ramaNiiyam ca tat vimaanam mano javam || 3-55-30
tatra siite mayaa saardham viharasva yathaa sukham |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.30b, 3.55.31a

30b, 31a. siite = oh, Seetha; manaH javam = intuition, at speed of; tat vimaanam = that, aircraft; ramaNiiyam ca = exhilarating, also; vishaalam ca = expansive, also; tatra = in that; mayaa saardham = me, along with; yathaa sukham viharasva = as per, [your] cheer [cheerfully,] you fly about.

“That aircraft is expansive and exhilarating, also its speed is on par with intuition, oh, Seetha, in that you can cheerfully fly about along with me, should you marry me. [3-55-30b, 31a]

dhvani/innuendo: ‘That aircraft maya – samarpite – iti sheSaH when I dedicated that aircraft to you…’ sa artham= sarva sampadbhiH ‘with all other riches, besides this aircraft… viharasva ‘you enjoy…’ ‘Apart from this aircraft, I denounce all the riches I gained in you… you enjoy the fruits of my action and release me…’ .

वदनम् पद्म संकाशम् विमलम् चारु दर्शनम् || ३-५५-३१
शोक आर्तम् तु वरारोहे न भ्राजति वर आनने |
vadanam padma sa.nkaasham vimalam caaru darshanam || 3-55-31
shoka aartam tu varaarohe na bhraajati vara aanane |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.31b, 3.55.32a

31b, 32a. varaarohe = oh, curvaceous lady; vara aanane = oh, one with comely, countenance; padma sankaasham = lotus, similar in shine; vimalam = immaculate one; caaru darshanam = fairish, eyeful; vadanam = [your] visage; shoka aartam = mushily, maudlin; na bhraajati = not, brightish.

“Oh, lady with a comely countenance, your visage is lotus similar in its shine, besides being immaculate, fairish and eyeful, but oh, curvaceous lady, with such a mushily maudlin of such a face this palace of mine is unbright, thus marry me to brighten everything” Thus Ravana spoke to Seetha. [3-55-31b, 32a] .

एवम् वदति तस्मिन् सा वस्त्र अन्तेन वर अंगना || ३-५५-३२
पिधाय इन्दु निभम् सीता मंदम् अश्रून् अवर्तयत् |
evam vadati tasmin saa vastra antena vara a.nganaa || 3-55-32
pidhaaya indu nibham siitaa ma.ndam ashruun avartayat |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.32b, 3.55.33a

32b, 33a. tasmin evam vadati = by him [Ravana, thus, she is spoken; vara anganaa saa siitaa = graceful, lady, she, that Seetha; indu nibham = moon, similar; [mukham = face]; vastra antenna = cloth’s, with fringe; pidhaaya = covered [veiled,] Seetha; ashruun [ashruuNi] mandam avartayat = slowly [stiflingly,] tears, dispelled.

While Ravana is speaking to her in this way that graceful lady Seetha veiled her moonier face with fringe of her sari, and stiflingly dispelled tears on that mooniest face behind her half-veil. [3-55-32b, 33a] .

ध्यायन्तीम् ताम् इव अस्वस्थाम् सीताम् चिंता हत प्रभाम् || ३-५५-३३
उवाच वचनम् वीरो रावणो रजनी चरः |
dhyaayantiim taam iva asvasthaam siitaam ci.ntaa hata prabhaam || 3-55-33
uvaaca vacanam viiro raavaNo rajanii caraH |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.33b, 3.55.34a

33b, 34a. viiraH = valorous – resolute one [or paapaH = sinner]; rajanii caraH raavaNaH = night, walker, Ravana; dhyaayantiim iva = meditating [appearing to be pondering over,] as if – she appeared; asvasthaam [an vasthaam] = disconcerted; cintaa hata prabhaam = by anguish, marred, brilliance; taam siitaam = to her, to Seetha; vacanam uvaaca = words, said.

To her who is disconcerted and whose anguish marred her brilliance and who is appearing as though pondering over the question of her submittal to Ravana, or otherwise, although she is meditating, to such a Seetha Ravana the nightwalker said these words. [3-55-33b, 34a]

She allowed him to prattle whatever he wished, but when it is aimed at her face, she had to veil it customarily to conceal the flood of sobbing tears, aversely. But Ravana, being a leech of lechery, amusedly thinks that she is bashful, thus silent, and because silence is ‘half-agreeing’, thus he furthers his leeching.

अलम् व्रीडेन वैदेहि धर्म लोप कृतेन ते || ३-५५-३४
आर्षो अयम् देवि निष्यन्दो यः त्वाम् अभिगमिष्यति |
alam vriiDena vaidehi dharma lopa kR^itena te || 3-55-34
aarSho ayam devi niShyando yaH tvaam abhigamiShyati |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.34b, 3.55.35a

34b, 35a: vaidehi = oh, Vaidehi; dharma te lopa kR^itena = for scriptural canons, by you, detrimental, caused by; vriiDena = embarrassment; alam = enough; yaH tvaam abhigamiSyati = which, to you, approaching [queen-hood]; ayam = that; devi = oh, empress; niSyandaH = compatible; [or, daiva niSyandaH = godly, connection, ordinance]; aarSaH = [absolutely] traditional.

“Oh, Vaidehi, enough is this embarrassment of yours presuming that your consorting with me is detrimental to scriptural canons, oh, empress, what that is approaching you in the form of queen-hood is absolutely compatible with the tradition.

Or

“Oh, Vaidehi, enough is this embarrassment of yours presuming that your consorting with me is detrimental to scriptural canons, what that is approaching you in the mode of queen-hood is ordained by gods and it is absolutely traditional. [3-55-34b, 35a]

dhvani/innuendo: ‘Enough is this embarrassment alam vriidena in the matter of ‘served and servant..’ ayam daiva niSSyandaH for this is preordained by gods… aarSaH ‘age old, traditional, and perennial…’ tvaam abhigamiSyati ‘the same ‘served and servant relation’ is now approaching you… in this incarnation and nothing new about it, for this is preordained by gods, age old, perennial, and traditional, thus enough with your embarrassment… and accept me as your devotee…’ Maheshvara Tiirtha.

Much is commented on this verse and this verse itself is held controversial as the meaning for niSyandaH as ‘connection…’ is said to be ill defined. Further, some versions use differently as shown above. It is said that yet another ancient mms of Ramayana contains the same verse as: alam vriiDena vaidehi dharma taapa kR^itena ca | harSho ayam devi vispaShTo yaH tvaam upagamiShyati || where the first foot is almost the same and the second foot: harSo ayam devi vispaSTo yaH tvaam upagamiSyati which means devi oh, lady yaH harSaH which pleasure you are going to get with your queen-hood tvaam upagamiSyati to you approaching in the mode of queen-hood ayam harSaH vispaSTaH that pleasure is evident…

‘Oh, Lady, which pleasure you are going to get as a queen, for that queen-hood is fast approaching you, that pleasure is evident… why then you presume that marrying me is anti-canonical, and thus be ashamed…’ so said Ravana with a kind of epicurean philosophy.

A woman who marries twice is called punarbhuH and these are of three kinds. And then there is another type called svairiNi. The first category are the women who leave off their first husbands and get married to another, thus become the first punarbhuH and the svairiNi is the kind of women who will not care customs but follow their own course of alliances. para puurvaaH striyaH tvat anyaaH sapta proktaa svayambhuvaa | punarbhuuH trividhaa taasaam tu svairiNii catur vidhaa || naarada Then Ravana is supposed to have argued with Seetha ‘you become a punarbhuH or choose whatever kind of scriptural statement about the rules of remarriages, but marry me – Govindaraja.

There is another kind of Indian marriage called raakshasa vivaaha loosely: ‘demonical marriage…’ i.e., abducting a girl with her consent and marrying secretly. But this way of raakshasa vivaaha ‘marriage through abduction…’ is admissible only to unmarried girls but not to the married women. Hence, the scriptural canons again cannot be satisfied. Therefore Ravana is said to have stated all this as an eyewash due to his tamo guNa praadhaanyata ‘stupid contrivance of scripture with his stolidity of mind…’ Maheshvara Tirtha

‘If Ravana is stupid enough to distort scriptures how then can his – devotee-goddess relation – with Seetha can be established…’ is the question of Rama Tilaka. Thus, it is concluded that Ravana’s advances are only with a lecherous intent, contrary to what Maheshvara Tiirtha tried to establish Ravana as a devotee… Tilaka.

In spite of all these debates and counter-debates of commentators – Ravana remained as a devotee of Seetha, namely Goddess Lakshmi, legendarily.

एतौ पादौ मया स्निग्धौ शिरोभिः परिपीडितौ || ३-५५-३५
प्रसादम् कुरु मे क्षिप्रम् वश्यो दासो अहम् अस्मि ते |
etau paadau mayaa snigdhau shirobhiH paripiiDitau || 3-55-35
prasaadam kuru me kShipram vashyo daaso aham asmi te |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.35b, 3.55.36a

35b, 36a: etau snigdhau paadau = these two, delicate, feet [of yours]; mayaa shirobhiH paripiiDitau = by me, with [ten] heads, let let hem be massaged – let them be touched; kSipram prasaadam kuru = readily, favour, you do; aham te vashyaH = I, to you, under control – subordinate; daasaH asmi = servant, I am.

“Let these two feet of yours be massaged by my ten heads, do me favour readily, for I am your subordinate and servant. [3-55-35b. 36a] .

इमाः शून्या मया वाचः शुष्यमाणेन भाषिताः || ३-५५-३६
न च अपि रावणः कांचित् मूर्ध्ना स्त्रीम् प्रणमेत ह |
imaaH shuunyaa mayaa vaacaH shuShyamaaNena bhaaShitaaH || 3-55-36
na ca api raavaNaH kaa.ncit muurdhnaa striim praNameta ha |


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.36b, 3.55.36c

36b, 36c: shuSyamaaNena = being emptied [becoming hollow-hearted by lust]; mayaa imaaH = by me, these; shuunyaaH vaacaH bhaaSitaaH = hollow, words, spoken; raavaNaH kaancit striim = Ravana, whomsoever, to lady; muurdhnaa na ca api praNameta ha = headlong, not [never,] also, even, supplicate, indeed.

“I with a lustful hollow-heart spoke all these hollow words that are unbefitting to my stature, indeed, Ravana will never supplicate headlong to whosoever woman. [3-55-36b, 36c]

Here the expression shunyaaH is held inconvenient to derive proper meaning and another ancient mms is said to have this as: na imaaH shuunyaaH kR^ithaa vaacaH shuSyamaaNena bhaaSitaaH where the wordage is shunnyamaanena emptied by lust…’ imaaH vaacaH ‘these words…’ shuunyaaH ’empty…’ na kR^ithaa ‘do not make them…’ ‘Nullified by lust I spoke all these words… and you, on taking them as mere nullities, pray, do not nullify my lovelorn words…’ Tiirtha calls this as rasaabhaasa ‘desiring an undesirous woman of others, by hook or by crook.

एवम् उक्त्वा दशग्रीवो मैथिलीम् जनक आत्मजाम् |
कृत अन्त वशम् आपन्नो मम इयम् इति मन्यते || ३-५५-३७
evam uktvaa dashagriivo maithiliim janaka aatmajaam |
kR^ita anta vasham aapanno mama iyam iti manyate || 3-55-37


Show Description: Sloka 3.55.37

37. dashagriivaH = Decahedral Ravana; janaka aatmajaam maithiliim = Janaka’s, daughter, to Maithili; evam uktvaa = thus, having said; kR^itaanta vasham aapannaH = Terminator’s, sway, on getting; iyam mama = she is, mine; iti manyate = thus, he deemed.

That Decahedral Ravana on speaking thus to Maithili, who is the daughter of Janaka, deemed that ‘she is mine,’ as he has gone under the sway of the Terminator. [3-55-37] .

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