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Srimad Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa | Araṇya Kāṇḍa ~ Sarga 49 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): 49 of 75 || śloka (verses): 40

Araṇya Kāṇḍa Sarg 49 of 75: Audio pending upload....     
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Vālmīki (Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि)

Vālmīki (Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि)



Introduction

Seetha’s abduction takes place now. Ravana forcefully abducts Seetha in his air-chariot. She bewails and bemoans for Rama and Lakshmana and appeals to all nature to inform Rama about this abduction. Finally, she sees Jatayu, the eagle, and asks him to narrate her abduction to Rama.

सीताया वचनम् श्रुत्वा दशग्रीवः प्रतापवान् |
हस्ते हस्तम् समाहत्य चकार सुमहत् वपुः || ३-४९-१
siitaayaa vacanam shrutvaa dashagriivaH prataapavaan |
haste hastam samaahatya cakaara sumahat vapuH || 3-49-1


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.1

1. prataapavaan dashagriivaH = valorous one, Ten-headed Ravana; siitaayaa vacanam shrutvaa = Seetha’s, words, on hearing; haste hastam sam aahatya = on palm, with palm, well [loudly,] clapped; su mahat vapuH cakaara = very mighty, [his] body, made [divulged,].

On hearing Seetha’s words that valorous ten-headed Ravana loudly clapped in dissent for once and divulged his very mighty body. [3-49-1]

These beings, including Hanuma, change into titanic form when they are infuriated. A cruel aspect minus anger is not in consonance with each. Thus, Ravana got wild first, but he does not want to hide his reality before his Goddess Lakshmi, hence he divulged his real aspect. Maheshvara Tiirtha.

स मैथिलीम् पुनः वाक्यम् बभाषे वाक्य कोविदः |
न उन्मत्तया श्रुतौ मन्ये मम वीर्य पराक्रमौ || ३-४९-२
sa maithiliim punaH vaakyam babhaaShe vaakya kovidaH |
na unmattayaa shrutau manye mama viirya paraakramau || 3-49-2


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.2

2. vaakya kovidaH saH = word, smith, he that Ravana; maithiliim punaH vaakyam babhaaSe = he, to Maithili, again, words, spoke; unmattayaa = by you who are mad; mama viirya paraakramau = my, valour, vanquishes; na shrutau manye = not, unheard, I think.

That wordsmith Ravana again spoke these words to Maithili, “Perhaps you have not heard about my valour and vanquishes in all your madness for Rama. [3-49-2]

Ravana as devotee is saying to Seetha: ‘unheard are my valour and vanquishes na unmattayaa : matta janaat udgataa unmatta bhinna taa dR^ishayaa ‘not mad… you are far from the maddened crowd, you are opposite of a mad personality…’ na unmattayaa tvayaa na shrutau manye… ‘though you are not a madcap in reality, you did not give any ear to my valour and vanity…’ Maheshvara Tiirtha.

Once the demon Mahisha-asura was eliminated by Goddess Durga, a female, and Ravana is now talking to a female, [and maybe she is also in disguise like him.] If this woman assumes her real nature at the time of abduction, the abduction will not be easy and handy. Hence, before her assuming her real form, it is better to show his real entity. Thus, he clapped for once before changing into his real entity. Or, the role-play of a Brahman sanyasi is not in consonance with the villainous abduction and that garb of a Brahman itself is a hindrance to his original atrocious nature known to world as raa vaNa ‘one who makes people to cry…’ thus vexed with this role-paying of a Brahman, he clapped loudly and infuriately, for once. Rama Tilaka.

उद् वहेयम् भुजाभ्याम् तु मेदिनीम् अंबरे स्थितः |
आपिबेयम् समुद्रम् च मृत्युम् हन्याम् रणे स्थितः || ३-४९-३
ud vaheyam bhujaabhyaam tu mediniim aMbare sthitaH |
aapibeyam samudram ca mR^ityum hanyaam raNe sthitaH || 3-49-3


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.3

3. ambare sthitaH = on sky, standing; bhujaabhyaam mediniim ud vaheyam = by my two arms, earth I can up, lift; samudram ca = [any] ocean, also; aa pibeyam = completely, I gulp down; raNe sthitaH = in war, standing; mR^ityum hanyaam = Death, I put to death.

“Standing on the sky I can lift up the earth with two of my arms, I can completely gulp down any ocean, standing in war I can even put the Death to death. [3-49-3] .

अर्कम् तुंद्याम् शरैः तीक्ष्णैर् विभिंद्याम् हि महीतलम् |
काम रूपिणम् उन्मत्ते पश्य माम् कामदम् पतिम् || ३-४९-४
ar.hkam tu.ndyaam sharaiH tiikShNair vibhi.ndyaam hi mahiitalam |
kaama ruupiNam unmatte pashya maam kaamadam patim || 3-49-4


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.4

4. arkam tundyaam [rundhyaam] hi = Sun, I can split [obstruct] indeed; tiikSNaiH sharaiH = with splitting, arrows; mahiitalam vi bhindyaam = earth’s plane, verily, split [splinter]; unmatte = oh, mad woman; kaama dam patim = wishes, endowing, husband; kaama ruupiNam = by wish, who can assume any form; maam pashya = me, you behold.

“Indeed, I can split the Sun and splinter the earth with my splitting arrows, oh, mad woman, I can assume any form as I wish, and endow any wish you wish, such as I am, I must be your husband, behold me.” So said Ravana when revealing his real nature. [3-49-4] .

एवम् उक्तवतः तस्य रावणस्य शिखि प्रभे |
क्रुद्धस्य हरि पर्यन्ते रक्ते नेत्रे बभूवतुः || ३-४९-५
evam uktavataH tasya raavaNasya shikhi prabhe |
kruddhasya hari paryante rakte netre babhuuvatuH || 3-49-5


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.5

5. evam uktavataH = that way, when he said; kruddhasya tasya raavaNasya = infuriated, that, Ravana’s; shikhi prabhe = torchlit, in shine; hari paryante = blackened, at edges; netre = in such eyes; rakte babhuuvatuH = bloodshot, became.

While the infuriated Ravana is saying in that way his eyes which by themselves are torchlit in their shine have became further bloodshot and blackened at their edges. [3-49-5] .

सद्यः सौम्यम् परित्यज्य तीक्ष्ण रूपम् स रावणः |
स्वम् रूपम् काल रूप आभम् भेजे वैश्रवण अनुजः || ३-४९-६
sadyaH saumyam parityajya tiikshNa ruupam sa raavaNaH |
svam ruupam kaala ruupa aabham bheje vaishravaNa anujaH || 3-49-6


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.6

6. vaishravaNa anujaH = Vaishravana [Kubera’s] younger brother; saH raavaNaH = he, Ravana; sadyaH = immediately; saumyam ruupam = gentle, form – of Brahman friar; pari tyajya = discarding; svam = his own; kaala ruupa aabham = Terminator’s, form, similar to; tiikshNa ruupam bheje = ferocious, aspect, he assumed.

Immediately discarding the gentle form of a Brahman friar, that younger brother of Kubera, Ravana, assumed his own ferocious form which is similar to the form of Terminator. [3-49-6] .

संरक्त नयनः श्रीमान् तप्त कांचन भूषणः |
क्रोधेन महता आविष्टो नील जीमूत सन्निभः || ३-४९-७
दश आस्यो विंशति भुजो बभूव क्षणदा चरः |
sa.nrakta nayanaH shriimaan tapta kaa.ncana bhuuShaNaH |
krodhena mahataa aaviShTo niila jiimuuta sannibhaH || 3-49-7
dasha aasyo viMshati bhujo babhuuva kShaNadaa caraH |


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.7, 3.49.8a

7, 8a. mahataa krodhena aaviSTaH = by desperate, fury, ensorcelled; sam rakta nayanaH = with bloodshot, eyes; shriimaan = celebrated one; tapta kaancana bhuuSaNaH = burnt [purified,] golden, wearer of ornaments; [vicitra shakti sampanna = wizardly Ravana]; niila jiimuuta sannibhaH = blackish, [tempestuous] cloudlike, in shine; dasha aasyaH = ten, faced one; vimshati bhujaaH = twenty, with arms; kSaNadaa caraH = night, walker; babhuuva = became [transmuted.]

That celebrated Ravana whose eyes are bloodshot as he is ensorcelled by desperate fury transmuted his form into a tend-faced, twenty-armed night-walker wearing golden ornaments of purified gold and appearing as a black tempestuous cloud. [3-49-7, 8a] .

स परिव्राजक च्छद्म महाकायो विहाय तत् || ३-४९-८
प्रतिपेदे स्वकम् रूपम् रावणो राक्षस अधिपः |
रक्त अंबर धरः तस्थौ स्त्री रत्नम् प्रेक्ष्य मैथिलीम् || ३-४९-९
sa parivraajaka cchhadma mahaakaayo vihaaya tat || 3-49-8
pratipede svakam ruupam raavaNo raakShasa adhipaH |
rakta aMbara dharaH tasthau strii ratnam prekShya maithiliim || 3-49-9


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.8b, 3.49.9

8b, 9. raakSasa adhipaH = demons, sovereign; saH raavaNaH = he, Ravana; parivraajaka cChadma vihaaya = friar’s, guise, on discarding; svakam ruupam pratipede = his own, form, he educed; tat mahaa kaayaH = that, mighty-bodied one; rakta ambara dharaH = reddish, clothing, attired in; strii ratnam maithiliim prekSya = lady, gem of a, at Maithili, observing; tasthau = stood afore her.

On discarding that guise of a Brahman friar that sovereign of demons Ravana educed his own physique and then that mighty bodied one attired in reddish clothing stood before Maithili observing that gem of a lady. [3-49-8b, 9]

He stood before her showing his mighty physique, expecting her to yield on seeing such a magnificent manly physique, which dissimilar to the girlish physique of her husband Rama.

स ताम् असित केश अन्ताम् भास्करस्य प्रभाम् इव |
वसन आभरण उपेताम् मैथिलीम् रावणो अब्रवीत् || ३-४९-१०
sa taam asita kesha antaam bhaaskarasya prabhaam iva |
vasana aabharaNa upetaam maithiliim raavaNo abraviit || 3-49-10


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.10

10. saH raavaNaH = he, Ravana; a sita kesha antaam = not, whitened, head-hair, ends [hairdo having glossily blackish tressed ends]; bhaaskarasya prabhaam iva = sun’s, shining, like; vasana aabharaNa upetaam = clothed [silken-ochry-sari,] jewellery, having on her; taam maithiliim abraviit = to her, to Maithili, spoke.

She whose tresses are glossily blackish until their ends, and who has on her glittering jewellery and silken-ochry-sari, whereby who is imperceivable like sun’s glaring shine, to such Maithili Ravana spoke. [3-49-10] .

त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातम् यदि भर्तारम् इच्छसि |
माम् आश्रय वरारोहे तव अहम् सदृशः पतिः || ३-४९-११
triShu lokeShu vikhyaatam yadi bhartaaram icchhasi |
maam aashraya varaarohe tava aham sadR^ishaH patiH || 3-49-11


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.11

11. varaarohe = oh, high-hipped lady; triSu lokeSu vikhyaatam bhartaaram = in three, worlds, well-renowned, a husband; icChasi yadi = you wish, if; maam aashraya = in me, you seek shelter; aham tava sadR^ishaH patiH = I [alone] will, to you, match up, as husband.

“If you wish to have a husband of well-renown in three worlds you seek shelter in me, oh, high-hipped lady, I alone will match up to you as husband. [3-49-11] .

माम् भजस्व चिराय त्वम् अहम् श्लाघ्यः पतिः तव |
न एव च अहम् क्वचित् भद्रे करिष्ये तव विप्रियम् || ३-४९-१२
त्यज्यताम् मानुषो भावो मयि भावः प्रणीयताम् |
maam bhajasva ciraaya tvam aham shlaaghyaH patiH tava |
na eva ca aham kvacit bhadre kariShye tava vipriyam || 3-49-12
tyajyataam maanuSho bhaavo mayi bhaavaH praNiiyataam |


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.12, 3.49.13a

12, 13a. bhadre = oh, fortunate lady; tvam ciraaya maam bhajasva = you, for a long time [ultimately,] me, you oblige; aham tava shlaaghyaH patiH = I will be, to you, much-lauded, husband; aham kvacit = I will, anytime; tava = to you; vi priyam = dis, pleasure; na kariSye ca = not, I will cause; maanuSe = for humanly [Rama]; bhaavaH = your thoughts [heart, love]; tyajyataam = leave off; mayi bhaavaH pra Niiyataam = me [towards me,] thought [heart, love,] verily lead [bring round.]

“Ultimately you have a much-lauded husband in me, as such you oblige me, and I will not cause any displeasure to you at any point of time. Let your heart refrain from that humanly Rama and you start bringing round your heart towards me. [3-49-12, 13a] .

राज्यात् च्युतम् असिद्ध अर्थम् रामम् परिमित आयुषम् || ३-४९-१३
कैः गुणैः अनुरक्ता असि मूढे पण्डित मानिनि |
यः स्त्रिया वचनात् राज्यम् विहाय ससुहृत् जनम् || ३-४९-१४
अस्मिन् व्याल अनुचरिते वने वसति दुर्मतिः |
raajyaat cyutam asiddha artham raamam parimita aayuSham || 3-49-13
kaiH guNaiH anuraktaa asi muuDhe paNDita maanini |
yaH striyaa vacanaat raajyam vihaaya sasuhR^it janam || 3-49-14
asmin vyaala anucarite vane vasati dur.hmatiH |


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.13b to 3.49.15a

13b, 14, 15a. muuDhe = oh, unintelligent lady; paNDita maanini = highly intelligent, deem your self; dur matiH = bad, minded [mindless Rama]; yaH striyaa vacanaat = who, by a woman’s, word; sa = along with; su hR^it janam = good, hearted, people; raajyam vihaaya = kingdom, on leaving off; vyaala anucarite = predators, moving in [on prowl]; asmin vane vasati = in this, in forest, he who lives – Rama; such a; raajyaat cyutam = from kingdom, fallen [spurned off]; a siddha artham = not, gainful, his purposes; [maanuSaH = being human]; parimita aayuSam = he is with – limited, longevity – short-lived human being; raamam = at Rama; kaiH guNaiH anuraktaa asi = by what, merits [of Rama,] impassioned [for him,] you are.

“Oh, halfwitted lady, you who deem yourself a highly intellectual lady, listen, that mindless Rama who just by a word of a woman forebode kingdom along with all of his amiable people, and lives in this forest where the predators are on the prowl, thus he who is spurned off from kingdom, ungainful are his purposes, and who is even a short-lived human, I wonder by what merits you are impassioned for such a Rama?” Thus Ravana spoke to Seetha. [3-49-13b, 14, 15a]

For the verses from 11 to 14 Maheshvara Tiirtha, a very ancient commentator, tries hard to establish Ravana as an absolute devotee of Goddess Lakshmi, for Ravana himself was their doorkeeper in heaven before his accursed being. He is one from the two doorkeepers in vaikuNTha ‘abode of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi’ called Jaya and Vijaya Ravana is Jaya, the doorkeeper. That commentary is like this. yadi aham patiH ‘if, I am, the lord…’ raakshasaam iti seSaH elliptic, ‘of demons…’ tava sadR^ishaH : kim bhR^itya – iti seSaH ‘you befitting, elliptic, am I a befitting servant – no I am not…’ ‘Although I am not a good servant of yours, but if you wish to me be one, triSu lokeSu vikhyaataam yathaa tathaa ‘as if to become famous in all the three worlds…’ maam bhartaaram aashraya ‘me, as servant, accept…’ Here bharta is defined as shushruuSa aadinaa svaaminam bibharti iti bhartaa – bhR^itya iti arthaH ‘one who serves his master by his services is bhartaa. Thus bhartaa does not only mean a husband but also a servant. Why should she accept Ravana now as a newly recruited servant? Because ciraaya tava shlaaghyaH ‘for a long time I have been extolling you in vaikunTha as Jaya…’ and I am a priya : priiNayati iti shshruuSa aadinaa svaaminam – iti priya bhR^ityaH ‘a dear, earnest servant of yours…’ maam bhajasva ‘you know me thus as your humble servant…’ maanuSe bhaava tyajataam ‘humans only are to be saved..’ – you leave this thinking and think that we the demons are also to be saved…’ muuDhe paNDita maaninii mayi bhaava praNiiyataam ‘Although I am an unread stupid, grace me too because I am your long serving servant…’ Further, Rama is raajyaat cyutam ‘not fallen from kingship, but he is a spurner of kingly pleasures, he thrusts these small things back with his foot…’ why because a siddha artham – ashca asau siddha arthaH ca ‘Vishnu is one with His purposes fulfilled… thus He does not care for a petty kingdom, when He is the King of Kings…’ parimita aayuSam : parigatam – tyaktam; mitam – alpam – aayuH yena tam – a parimita aayuSam ‘He is an eternal entity…’ kaiH guNaiH – kaiH= anirvacaniiya; guNaiH= ananta kalyaaNa guNa shiila ‘One with indefinable, illimitable auspicious merits…’ anuraktaa asi ‘you are impassioned for such a Vishnu, though… and I have no objection for that, but bless me too… durmati : duSTeSu api matiH – anugraahikaa buddhi ‘He is not a mindless person, but he has a mind for the mindless and bad-minded persons like me… So please come with me and let your husband follow you to Lanka and accord salvation, as planned by you all…’ Maheshvara Tiirtha.

इति उक्त्वा मैथिलीम् वाक्यम् प्रिय अर्हाम् प्रिय वादिनीम् || ३-४९-१५
अभिगम्य सुदुष्ट आत्मा राक्षसः काम मोहितः |
जग्राह रावणः सीताम् बुधः खे रोहिणीम् इव || ३-४९-१६
iti uktvaa maithiliim vaakyam priya arhaam priya vaadiniim || 3-49-15
abhigamya suduShTa aatmaa raakshasaH kaama mohitaH |
jagraaha raavaNaH siitaam budhaH khe rohiNiim iva || 3-49-16


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.15b, 3.49.16

15b, 16. su duSTa aatmaa = verily, evil, minded [Ravana]; kaama mohitaH = by lust, maddened; raakshasaH raavaNaH = that demon, Ravana; priya [vacana] arhaam = for nice, [words,] proper one – to talk to; priya vaadiniim = nice, talker; maithiliim = to Maithili; vaakyam iti uktvaa = words, this way, on saying; abhi gamya = nigh, drawing – approaching her; khe budhaH rohiNiim iva = in firmament, Budha – the Jupiter, with Rohini, as with; siitaam jagraaha = Seetha, he grabbed.

On saying that sentence to Maithili, who by herself is a nice talker and who is a proper one for addressing with nice words, that verily evil-minded demon Ravana maddened by lust drew nigh of Seetha and grabbed her, as Budha, the Jupiter grabs the Star Rohini in firmament. [3-49-15b, 16]

What happened to the lakshmaNa rekha? ‘A boundary drawn by Lakshmana when he departed Seetha in search of Rama?’ Some discussion about this is there in the endnote. Here, even though Ravana is su duSTa aatmaa, kaama mohitaa ‘a very wicked souled and lustily crazed….’ it is all for other women, but not towards Seetha. And thus he caught hold of Seetha, as the planet Budha, Jupiter, the son of Moon catches his own Star mother Rohini, a dear wife the Moon, reverentially. Maheshvara Tiirtha. Later commentators rejected this saying that, if it were to be so, then Ravana has Oedipus complex.

वामेन सीताम् पद्माक्षीम् मूर्धजेषु करेण सः |
ऊर्वोः तु दक्षिणेन एव परिजग्राह पाणिना || ३-४९-१७
vaamena siitaam padmaakShiim muurdhajeShu kareNa saH |
uurvoH tu dakShiNena eva parijagraaha paaNinaa || 3-49-17


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.17

17. saH = he; padma akSiim siitaam = lotus, eyed, at Seetha; vaamena kareNa eva muurdhajeSu = with left, hand, thus, head-hair; dakSiNena paaNinaa uurvoH tu = with right, hand, thighs, but; parijagraaha = grabbed.

He that Ravana grabbed the lotus-eyed Seetha on lifting her up with his left hand at her plait of hair at nape, and with his right hand at her thighs. [3-49-17] .

तम् दृष्ट्वा गिरि शृंग आभम् तीक्ष्ण दंष्ट्रम् महा भुजम् |
प्राद्रवन् मृत्यु संकाशम् भय आर्ता वन देवताः || ३-४९-१८
tam dR^iShTvaa giri shR^i.nga aabham tiikShNa daMShTram mahaa bhujam |
praadravan mR^ityu sa.nkaasham bhaya aartaa vana devataaH || 3-49-18


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.18

18. mR^ityu sankaasham = Death, one similar to; tiikSNa damSTram = one with incisive, fangs; mahaa bhujam = mightily, armed one; giri shR^inga aabham = mountain, crest, in shine; tam dR^iSTvaa = him [who grabbed Seetha,] on seeing; vana devataaH = forest, deities; bhaya aartaa = by terrorism, terrorised; praadravan = quickly fled.

On seeing him who grabbed Seetha, who has incisive fangs, mightily armed and who is shining forth like a mountain crest and similar to Death, the forest deities quickly fled away terrorised by his terrorism. [3-49-18] .

स च मायामयो दिव्यः खर युक्तः खर स्वनः |
प्रत्यदृश्यत हेमांगो रावणस्य महारथः || ३-४९-१९
sa ca maayaamayo divyaH khara yuktaH khara svanaH |
pratyadR^ishyata hemaa.ngo raavaNasya mahaarathaH || 3-49-19


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.19

19. [then]; maayaamayaH = miraculously [designed for appearing and disappearing]; divyaH khara yuktaH = miraculous; mules, yoked with; khara svanaH = braying, noisily; hema angaH = golden, with wheels [parts]; raavaNasya saH mahaarathaH = Ravana’s, that, miracle-air-chariot; prati adR^ishyata = afore, appeared.

Then the miracle-air-chariot of Ravana which is miraculously designed to appear and disappear at the wish of its master, yoked with miraculous mules, and built with its golden wheels and parts, appeared afore Ravana braying noisily. [3-49-19] .

ततः ताम् परुषैः वाक्यैः अभितर्ज्य महास्वनः |
अंकेन आदाय वैदेहीम् रथम् आरोपयत् तदा || ३-४९-२०
tataH taam paruShaiH vaakyaiH abhitarjya mahaasvanaH |
a.nkena aadaaya vaidehiim ratham aaropayat tadaa || 3-49-20


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.20

20. tadaa = then; mahaa svanaH = one who has – strident, voice – Ravana; taam vaidehiim = her, Vaidehi; paruSaiH vaakyaiH abhitarjya = with bitter, words, intimidating; ankena aadaaya = by waist, lifting up – or dragging her onto his flank; tataH = then; ratham aaropayat = chariot, got up on.

Then he whose voice is strident that Ravana lifted her up by her waist and got Vaidehi up on the air-chariot intimidating her with bitter words. [3-49-20] .

सा गृहीता अतिचुक्रोश रावणेन यशस्विनी |
रामा इति सीता दुःख आर्ता रामम् दूरम् गतम् वने || ३-४९-२१
saa gR^ihiitaa aticukrosha raavaNena yashasvinii |
raamaa iti siitaa duHkha aartaa raamam duuram gatam vane || 3-49-21


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.21

21. raavaNena gR^ihiitaa = by Ravana, captured [when gone into captivity of Ravana]; yashasvinii = glorious one; saa siitaa = that, Seetha; duHkha aartaa = with anguish, agonised; vane duuram gatam raamam = in forest, distant, gone, at Rama; raamaa iti = ‘oh, Rama’, thus [saying]; ati cukrosha = loudly, wailed.

Agonised with anguish when gone into the captivity of Ravana, she that glorious Seetha wailed loudly for Rama saying ‘oh, Rama,’ which Rama has gone deep into the forest by then. [3-49-21].

ताम् अकामाम् स काम आर्तः पन्नग इन्द्र वधूम् इव |
विवेष्टमानाम् आदाय उत्पपात अथ रावणः || ३-४९-२२
taam akaamaam sa kaama aartaH pannaga indra vadhuum iva |
viveShTamaanaam aadaaya utpapaata atha raavaNaH || 3-49-22


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.22

22. atha = then; kaama aartaH = with lust, infatuated; saH raavaNaH = that, Ravana; a kaamaam = not, inclined – one disinclined for lusting; pannaga indra vadhuum iva = cobra, king, wife, like; vi veSTamaanaam = one who is verily, writhing; taam aadaaya = her, on picking her up; [vegena = speedily]; ut papaata = up, fallen – fell upon the skies, flew off.

Ravana who is infatuated with lust picked her up, which lady is disinclined for any kind of sensuality and who is verily writhing like the wife of King Cobra, and then he surged skyward and flew off with her in his air-chariot. [3-49-22] .

ततः सा राक्षसेन्द्रेण ह्रियमाणा विहायसा |
भृशम् चुक्रोश मत्ता इव भ्रांत चित्ता यथा आतुरा || ३-४९-२३
tataH saa raakShasendreNa hriyamaaNaa vihaayasaa |
bhR^isham cukrosha mattaa iva bhraa.nta cittaa yathaa aaturaa || 3-49-23


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.23

23. tataH = then; raakSasa indreNa vihaayasaa hriyamaaNaa = by demons, lord, in skyway, while being abducted; saa = she that Seetha; mattaa iva = frenzied, as if; bhraanta cittaa = bewildered, faculties; aaturaa yathaa = a hysterical person, as with; bhR^isham cukrosha = stridently, bawled.

While that lord of demons is abducting her in the skyway, Seetha became frenzied with bewildered faculties and then bawled stridently like a hysterical person. [3-49-23] .

हा लक्ष्मण महाबाहो गुरु चित्त प्रसादक |
ह्रियमाणाम् न जानीषे रक्षसा काम रूपिणा || ३-४९-२४
haa lakShmaNa mahaabaaho guru citta prasaadaka |
hriyamaaNaam na jaaniiShe rakShasaa kaama ruupiNaa || 3-49-24


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.24

24. mahaabaahuH = greatly dextrous one; guru citta prasaadaka = mentors, heart, rejoicer of; haa lakSmaNa = haa, Lakshmana; kaama ruupiNaa rakSasaa = by wish, guise-changer – dissembler, by demon; hriyamaaNaam = being abducted; [maam = me, of me]; na jaaniiSe = not, you know.

“Haa, greatly dextrous Lakshmana… oh, rejoicer of your mentor… you are incognisant of me who am being abducted by this demon who is a dissembler. [3-49-24]

Seetha tongue-lashed this Lakshmana alone in the earlier chapters and him alone she is addressing now, that too firstly, before calling Rama, that too addressing as ‘dextrous one…’ Is she self-contradictory? Not so, ‘Lakshmana is the one who can protect even the self-reliant Rama, then where is the question of his not protecting Seetha from any calamity?’ is her reasoning. On the other hand, Lakshmana left the hermitage just now, so he must be within earshot, while Rama went into deep of the forest long back.

जीवितम् सुखम् अर्थाम् च धर्म हेतोः परित्यजन् |
ह्रियमाणाम् अधर्मेण माम् राघव न पश्यसि || ३-४९-२५
jiivitam sukham arthaam ca dharma hetoH parityajan |
hriyamaaNaam adharmeNa maam raaghava na pashyasi || 3-49-25


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.25

25. jiivitam sukham arthaam ca = [high] life, happiness, riches, also; dharma hetoH parityajan = righteousness, for the reason of, one who is relinquishing; raaghava = oh, Raghava; a dharmeNa = by not, righteousness – unrighteousness or, by an unrighteous demon; hriyamaaNaam = being abducted; maam na pashyasi = me, not, you are observant of.

“Oh, Raghava, you have relinquished your high-life, happiness, and riches for the sake of righteousness, and though you avowed to protect your observants, you are unobservant of me who am being abducted by the unrighteousness itself. [3-49-25] .

ननु नाम अविनीतानाम् विनेता असि परंतप |
कथम् एवम् विधम् पापम् न त्वम् शास्सि हि रावणम् || ३-४९-२६
nanu naama aviniitaanaam vinetaa asi para.ntapa |
katham evam vidham paapam na tvam shaassi hi raavaNam || 3-49-26


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.26

26. parantapa = oh, enemy-inflamer; a viniitaanaam = for not, wise beings [ for uncontrollable beings,] vi netaa = absolute, controller; asi nanu = you are, I dare say [I reckon]; tvam = you; evam vidham paapam raavaNam = this, kind of, sinner, Ravana; katham naama = how, I wonder; na shaassi hi = not, controlling, indeed.

“Oh, enemy-inflamer Rama, I reckon that you are an absolute controller of uncontrollable beings, I wonder why you are not controlling this kind of sinner, Ravana, indeed?” This is how Seetha started her cry in wilderness. [3-49-26] .

ननु सद्यो अविनीतस्य दृश्यते कर्मणः फलम् |
कालो अपि अंगी भवति अत्र सस्यानाम् इव पक्तये || ३-४९-२७
nanu sadyo aviniitasya dR^ishyate karmaNaH phalam |
kaalo api a.ngii bhavati atra sasyaanaam iva paktaye || 3-49-27


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.27

27. aviniitasya karmaNaH phalam = evil, acts’, fruit [result]; sadyaH = instantaneously; na dR^ishyate nu = not, apparent, indeed; sasyaanaam paktaye iva = [yield of] crops, for cooking [after ripeness,] as with; atra = in such matters; kaalaH api angii bhavati = Time, even, part [factor,] becomes.

“Indeed, the result for an evil act will not be apparent instantaneously. Even the time becomes a factor in the matter of cause and effect, as with the crops becoming cookable after certain time lag.” Thus, she is addressing Ravana now. [3-49-27] .

त्वम् कर्म कृतवान् एतत् काल उपहत चेतनः |
जीवित अंतकरम् घोरम् रामात् व्यसनम् आप्नुहि || ३-४९-२८
tvam karma kR^itavaan etat kaala upahata cetanaH |
jiivita a.ntakaram ghoram raamaat vyasanam aap.hnuhi || 3-49-28


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.28

28. tvam = you; kaala upahata cetanaH = by Time, battered, with a mind; [ett = this particular]; karma kR^itavaan = deed [exploit,] you have done [as an infringer]; raamaat = from Rama; jiivita antakaram ghoram vyasanam aapnuhi = life, ending, devastating, tribulation, you get.

“The Time has battered your brains and as an infringer you have undertaken this particular exploit, whereby you will get a devastating and life-ending tribulation from Rama.” Thus, she upbraided Ravana. [3-49-28] .

हन्त इदानीम् सकामा तु कैकेयी बान्धवैः सह |
ह्रियेयम् धर्म कामस्य धर्म पत्नी यशस्विनः || ३-४९-२९
hanta idaaniim sakaamaa tu kaikeyii baandhavaiH saha |
hriyeyam dharma kaamasya dharma patnii yashasvinaH || 3-49-29


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.29

29. dharma kaamasya = honesty, aspirer of – Rama; yashasvinaH = of glorious Rama; dharma patnii = honest, wife; such as I am; hriyeyam = I am being abducted; idaaniim = now; kaikeyii baandhavaiH saha = Kaikeyi, kinfolk, together with; sa kaamaa = with [came true,] aspiration; [astu = let her be]; hanta = oh, god.

“An honest wife of a glorious one who aspires nothing but honesty, such a wife of Rama as I am, I am being abducted, thus the aspiration of Kaikeyi and her kinfolk has now come true. Oh, god!” Thus, she soliloquised. [3-49-29]

Rama also talks in this way when Viraadha abducted Seetha in the opening chapter of this Aranya Kanda. This small talk is more humanly as said: supramatta kupitaanaam bhaava GYaanam dR^iSTam ‘in the delirious or furious conditions, one’s own heart is outspoken…’ and if it is spoken in anger none but their antagonists are envisaged, firstly.

आमंत्रये जनस्थानम् कर्णिकारान् च पुष्पितान् |
क्षिप्रम् रामाय शंसध्वम् सीताम् हरति रावणः || ३-४९-३०
aama.ntraye janasthaanam karNikaaraan ca puShpitaan |
kShipram raamaaya shaMsadhvam siitaam harati raavaNaH || 3-49-30


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.30

30. janasthaanam puSpitaan karNikaaraan = in Janasthaana, flowered, Karnikaara trees; aamantraye = I call attention of; raavaNaH siitaam harati = Ravana is, Seetha, thieving; thus; kSipram raamaaya shamsadhvam = instantly, to Rama, be made known inform.

“I call the attention of the flowered Karnikaara trees of Janasthaana, you inform Rama that Ravana is thieving Seetha.” Thus, she is addressing the woods and others on the ground from air-chariot. [3-49-30] .

हंस सारस संघुष्टाम् वन्दे गोदावरीम् नदीम् |
क्षिप्रम् रामाय शंस त्वम् सीताम् हरति रावणः || ३-४९-३१
haMsa saarasa sa.nghuShTaam vande godaavariim nadiim |
kShipram raamaaya shaMsa tvam siitaam harati raavaNaH || 3-49-31


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.31

31. hamsa saarasa sanghuSTaam = swans, saarasa [water birds,] bustling with; godaavariim nadiim vande = to you Godavari, river, I pray; raavaNaH harati siitaam = Ravana is, thieving, Seetha; tvam kSipram raamaaya shamsa = you, promptly, to Rama, tell.

“I pray you who are with the bustle of swans and saarasa water birds, oh, River Godavari, you promptly tell Rama that Ravana is thieving Seetha. [3-49-31]

This does not mean that this request is as good as asking that river to overflow its banks to go to Rama and tell the news. It is: “I pray you to tell this news to any one of the bustling birds in your lap and that bird swiftly takes to flight to go to Rama and informs him, because the birds are also sympathetic with Rama and with me, as well…’ This is hamsa sandesha, saarasa sandesha which idea became more famous at a later time for the emergence of masterpieces like megha sandesha of Kalidasa and hamsa sandesha in nala damayanti upaakhyaana.

दैवतानि च यान्ति अस्मिन् वने विविध पादपे |
नमस्करोमि अहम् तेभ्यो भर्तुः शंसत माम् हृताम् || ३-४९-३२
daivataani ca yaanti asmin vane vividha paadape |
namaskaromi aham tebhyo bhartuH shaMsata maam hR^itaam || 3-49-32


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.32

32. vividha paadape = which is with diverse, trees; asmin vane = in this, forest; [yaani = which of those]; daivataani = sylvan deities; yaanti [santi] = will be moving about [abide by trees]; tebhyaH = for them; aham namaskaromi = I am, offering veneration; maam hR^itaam = me, as a stolen one; bhartuH shamsata = [to my] husband, inform.

“I also venerate you, the sylvan deities that travel in this forest with diverse trees or, those that abide on the treetops, you may please inform my husband that I am being stolen. [3-49-32]

The word namaskaromi is of two parts: namaH, karomi and this namaH is again cleavable as na mama ‘not, mine…’ ‘I have no ‘I-ness’ and I wholly submit my ‘my-ness’ unto you…’ Thus namaH kaomi is ‘I am making myself in submission to you…’ and if this said with the gesture of adjoined palms called an~jali, which in Latin is iungo, iungere and if iun is read as an` and ng be read as GYa of Sanskrit, this iungo is also an~jali as Latin has many Sanskrit words in it. Then this is called namaskaara baaNa ‘a salutation-arrow’ more like a cupid’s arrow to bring two together… not necessarily a male and a female, but any two or more, in veneration or friendship.

यानि कानिचित् अपि अत्र सत्त्वानि निवसन्ति उत |
सर्वाणि शरणम् यामि मृग पक्षि गणान् अपि || ३-४९-३३
yaani kaanicit api atra sattvaani nivasanti uta |
sar.hvaaNi sharaNam yaami mR^iga pakShi gaNaan api || 3-49-33


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.33

33. atra = there – on the ground as seen from aircraft; yaani kaanicit api = those, some few, even; sattvaani nivasanti uta = beings, are living, there; sarvaaNi = all of the; mR^iga pakSi gaNaan api = animals, birds, groups of, even; sharaNam yaami = shelter, I am getting into – I seek.

“Or, over there, some few beings that are living over there on the ground below, I seek shelter of all the flocks of birds and hoards of animals, and I pray you to convey this news. [3-49-33]

Seetha firstly appealed to the trees frenziedly. But reasoning herself that the trees can tell only when Rama comes to them, for they cannot move, and then she appealed to River Godavari and her swans. Presuming that the water loving water birds may not penetrate the deep forest, and then she appealed the sylvan deities presiding on the treetops. Again presuming that these sylvan deities of forests may not be able to see through the thick of forest, she is now asking the animals and birds that usually move on the ground, to locate Rama. This entire criss-cross thinking has happened within split seconds.

ह्रियमाणाम् प्रियाम् भर्तुः प्राणेभ्यो अपि गरीयसीम् |
विवश अपहृता सीता रावणेन इति शंसत || ३-४९-३४
hriyamaaNaam priyaam bhartuH praaNebhyo api gariiyasiim |
vivasha apahR^itaa siitaa raavaNena iti shaMsata || 3-49-34


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.34

34. praaNebhyaH api gariiyasiim = by [his] lives, even, loftier; hriyamaaNaam = being stolen; priyaam = about [his] dear [wife]; vi vasha = without, help [helpless one]; siitaa = Seetha; raavaNena apahR^itaa = by Ravana, stolen; iti bhartuH shamsata = thus, to [my] husband, you inform.

“Inform my husband about his dear and loftier wife than his lives, saying that, ‘helpless Seetha is stolen by Ravana.’ [3-49-34] .

विदित्वा माम् महाबाहुः अमुत्र अपि महाबलः |
आनेष्यति पराक्रम्य वैवस्वत हृताम् अपि || ३-४९-३५
viditvaa maam mahaabaahuH amutra api mahaabalaH |
aaneShyati paraakramya vaivasvata hR^itaam api || 3-49-35


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.35

35. mahaa balaH = great-mighty one; mahaabaahuH = ambidextrous [Rama]; vaivasvata hR^itaam api = by Death, I am impounded, even if; maam = me; amutra api = [taken to] other world [to heavens,] even if; viditvaa = [if he comes to] on knowing; paraakramya = on aggressing; aaneSyati = brings back.

“If that ambidextrous Rama comes to know about me, even if I am taken to heavens, or, even if I am impounded by Death, that great-mighty Rama brings me back, on aggressing against all of the gods in heaven, or, against Yama, the Death God.” Thus, she appealed to one and all, but in vain. [3-49-35] .

सा तदा करुणा वाचो विलपंती सुदुःखिता |
वनस्पति गतम् ग्रिध्रम् ददर्श आयत लोचना || ३-४९-३६
saa tadaa karuNaa vaaco vilapa.ntii suduHkhitaa |
vanaspati gatam gridhram dadarsha aayata locanaa || 3-49-36


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.36

36. tadaa = then; karuNaa vaacaH vilapantii = with pitiable, words, who is bewailing; aayata locanaa = wide, eyed one; saa = she; su duHkhitaa = highly, anguished; vanaspati gatam gridhram dadarsha = tree [a tree that yields fruits without flowering,] gone onto – perched on, eagle, she saw.

She that wide-eyed Seetha who is highly anguished and bewailing with pitiable words then with a wide-eyed expectancy saw the eagle Jatayu perching on a tree. [3-49-36] .

सा तम् उद् वीक्ष्य सुश्रोणी रावणस्य वशम् गता |
समाक्रंदत् भयपरा दुःख उपहतया गिरा || ३-४९-३७
saa tam ud viikshya sushroNii raavaNasya vasham gataa |
samaakra.ndat bhayaparaa duHkha upahatayaa giraa || 3-49-37


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.37

37. raavaNasya vasham gataa = Ravana’s, captivity, gone in; sushroNii = well-waisted one; bhaya paraa = by fear, worsted; saa = she; tam = him [Jataayu]; ud viikshya = up, on seeing – seeing on raising head; duHkha upahatayaa giraa = anguish, walloped with, [stuttering] voice; sam aakrandat = squeakily, shrieked.

She that well-waisted lady who has gone into the captivity of Ravana craned and stared at the eagle, and worsted by fear she shrieked squeakily with a stuttering voice that is walloped with anguish. [3-49-37] .

जटायो पश्य मम आर्य ह्रियमाणम् अनाथ वत् |
अनेन राक्षसेद्रेण करुणम् पाप कर्मणा || ३-४९-३८
jaTaayo pashya mama aarya hriyamaaNam anaatha vat |
anena raakshasedreNa karuNam paapa karmaNaa || 3-49-38


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.38

38. aarya jaTaayoH = oh, dignified [fatherly,] Jatayu; anena paapa karmaNaa = by this one, with sinister, deeds; raakshasa indreNa = by demons, lord of; anaatha vat = orphan, like [orphanized one]; karuNam = pitiably; hriyamaaNam = being abducted; mama [maam] pashya = me, you see.

“Oh, fatherly Jatayu, see me, like an orphanized one I am pitiably abducted by this lord of demons with sinister deeds. [3-49-38] .

न एष वारयितुम् शक्यः त्वया क्रूरो निशाचर |
सत्त्ववान् जितकाशी च स आयुधः चैव दुर्मतिः || ३-४९-३९
na eSha vaarayitum shakyaH tvayaa kruuro nishaacara |
sattvavaan jitakaashii ca sa aayudhaH caiva durmatiH || 3-49-39


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.39

39. kruuraH = merciless one; sattvavaan = a formidable one; jita kaashii ca = [who by his cunning] conquests, shining forth, also; sa aayudhaH caiva = with, weaponry, also thus; dur matiH = wicked, minded one; eSa nishaacara = this one, night-walker; tvayaa = by you; vaarayitum = to forestall; na shakyaH = not, a possible, one.

“It is impossible for you to forestall this merciless night-walker, for he is formidable, shining forth with cunning conquests, also thus this wicked minded one is with weaponry. [3-49-39] .

रामाय तु यथा तत्त्वम् जटायो हरणम् मम |
लक्ष्मणाय च तत् सर्वम् आख्यातव्यम् अशेषतः || ३-४९-४०
raamaaya tu yathaa tattvam jaTaayo haraNam mama |
lakShmaNaaya ca tat sarvam aakhyaatavyam asheShataH || 3-49-40


Show Description: Sloka 3.49.40

40. jaTaayo = oh, Jatayu; mama haraNam = my, about abduction; yathaa tattvam = as, it happened; tat sarvam = that, all about it; a sheSataH = without, a residuum – entirely; raamaaya = to Rama; lakSmaNaaya ca = to Lakshmana, also – or to Lakshmana; aakhyaatavyam = be narrated.

“Oh, Jatayu, everything about my abduction shall be narrated to Rama, or to Lakshmana, as it has happened in its entirety.” Thus Seetha supplicated Jatayu. [3-49-40]

Nobility will not seek help selfishly; if help is sought that way, the seeker instantly becomes an ignoble, falling from the heights of personal nobility. Seetha may be an impetuous lady but if she talking to a noble elderly person or being, she talks judiciously in all her humbleness. Here she is not asking Jatayu to wage a war against Ravana to save her. She is asking Jatayu to convey the news of her abduction to Rama, because as an old eagle, as old as her father-in-law, Jatayu may not fight back this Ravana successfully. Besides, Ravana is with weaponry and a cunning warrior. Jatayu may be a powerful eagle, but if it comes to weapons and missiles, a natural being cannot withstand the artificial ammunition of war. Hence, visualising the danger in Jatayu’s attempting any combat with Ravana, she is asking him to be the carrier of news, as all the trees, river and her birds, sylvan deities, and the other birds and animals are not heedful of her request, and this eagle alone is beheld, besides being an old acquaintance.

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