Aranya Kanda — Sarga 57

राक्षसं मृगरूपेण चरन्तं कामरूपिणम्। निहत्य रामो मारीचं तूर्णं पथि न्यवर्तत॥

Killing the Rākṣasa, Mārīca assuming shapes at will and ranging in the shape of a deer, Rāma vended speedily his way.

Aranya Kanda 57.1

तस्य संत्वरमाणस्य द्रष्टुकामस्य मैथिलीम्। क्रूरस्वनोऽथ गोमायुर्विननादास्य पृष्ठतः॥

And as he hurried himself, eager to behold Maithilī, jackals began to howl hideously at his back.

Aranya Kanda 57.2

स तस्य स्वरमाज्ञाय दारुणं रोमहर्षणम्। चिन्तयामास गोमायोः स्वरेण परिशङ्कितः॥

Hearing their harsh cries, capable of making one's hair stand on end, Rāma struck with fear at the voices of the jackals, became filled with alarm.

Aranya Kanda 57.3

अशुभं वत मन्येऽहं गोमायुर्वाशते यथा। स्वस्ति स्यादपि वैदेह्या राक्षसैर्भक्षणं विना ॥

Ah! I consider this as inauspicious—that these jackals are crying. Escaping being devoured by the Raksasas, may fair fortune befall Vaidehi!

Aranya Kanda 57.4

मारीचेन तु विज्ञाय स्वरमालक्ष्य मामकम्। विक्रुष्टं मृगरूपेण लक्ष्मणः शृणुयाद् यदि॥ स सौमित्रिः स्वरं श्रुत्वा तां च हित्वाथ मैथिलीम्। तयैव प्रहितः क्षिप्रं मत्सकाशमिहैष्यति॥

If Laksmana should have heard the cries which Mārica, knowing my voice, and fixing on the means of harming me, uttered in the form of a deer, Saumitrī, hearing that voice, leaving Mithila's daughter and commissioned by herself, must have come near me.

Aranya Kanda 57.5

राक्षसैः सहितैनूनं सीताया ईप्सितो वधः। काञ्चनश्च मृगो भूत्वा व्यपनीयाश्रमात् तु माम्॥ दूरं नीत्वाथ मारीचो राक्षसोऽभूच्छराहतः। हा लक्ष्मण हतोऽस्मीति यद्वाक्यं व्याजहार ह॥

Surely, the Rākṣasas in a body are desirous of slaying Sitä. Becoming a golden deer, Mārica, having allured me far, transformed himself into a Rākşasa, as soon as he had been struck with my shafts; and exclaimed, 'Ah! Laksmana, slain am I.'

Aranya Kanda 57.6

अपि स्वस्ति भवेद् द्वाभ्यां रहिताभ्यां मया वने। जनस्थाननिमित्तं हि कृतवैरोऽस्मि राक्षसैः॥

It is doubtless, we having left (Sītā, whether all is well with her. I having raised the hostility of the Räksasas for the sake of Janasthāna;

Aranya Kanda 57.7

निमित्तानि च घोराणि दृश्यन्तेऽद्य बहूनि च। इत्येवं चिन्तयन् रामः श्रुत्वा गोमायुनिःस्वनम् ॥ निवर्तमानस्त्वरितो जगामाश्रममात्मवान्।

And many and dreadful are the omens I see (around me). Thus reflecting as he heard the howlings of the jackals, the self-possessed Rāma with hasty steps returned to the asylum.

Aranya Kanda 57.8

आत्मनश्चापनयनं मृगरूपेण रक्षसा॥ आजगाम जनस्थानं राघवः परिशङ्कितः।

Rāghava went back to Janasthāna, alarmed in consequence of his having been drawn away by the Raksasa in the form of a dear.

Aranya Kanda 57.9

तं दीनमानसं दीनमासेदुर्मृगपक्षिणः॥ सव्यं कृत्वा महात्मानं घोरांश्च ससृजुः स्वरान्।

And birds and beasts approached that highsouled one distressed and depressed in spirit; and staying on his left set up frightful cries.

Aranya Kanda 57.10

तानि दृष्ट्वा निमित्तानि महाघोरणि राघवः॥ ततो लक्ष्मणमायान्तं ददर्श विगतप्रभम्। ततो विदूरे रामेण समीयाय स लक्ष्मणः॥

As he was witnessing the exceedingly dreadful signs, Rāghava saw Lakşmaņa coming with a lacklustre (countenance); and Lakşmaņa came up to Rāma.

Aranya Kanda 57.11

विषण्णः सन् विषण्णेन दुःखितो दुःखभागिना । स जगहेऽथ तं भ्राता दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणमागतम्॥ विहाय सीतां विजने वने राक्षससेविते।

And depressed in spirit, he was rendered still more sad by that one who, afflicted with depression shared his sorrow. And, seeing that (Laksmana) bad come, leaving Sita in that solitary wood frequented by Rākşasas, his brother fell to reprimanding him.

Aranya Kanda 57.12

गृहीत्वा च करं सव्यं लक्ष्मणं रघुनन्दनः॥ उवाच मधुरोदर्कमिदं परुषमार्तवत्।

And taking Lakşmaņa's left hand, the son of Raghu in extreme distress sweetly spoke these rough words,

Aranya Kanda 57.13

अहो लक्ष्मण गौँ ते कृतं यत् त्वं विहाय ताम्॥ सीतामिहागतः सौम्य कच्चित् स्वस्ति भवेदिति।

Alas! Laksmana, you have committed a censurable.,act; leaving Sita, O mild one, you have come hither. Is it well with her?

Aranya Kanda 57.14

न मेऽस्ति संशयो वीर सर्वथा जनकात्मजा ॥ विनष्टा भक्षिता वापि राक्षसैर्वनचारिभिः।

I make no doubt, O hero, but that Janaka's daughter has either been slain or devoured by Rākṣasas ranging the forest.

Aranya Kanda 57.15

अशुभान्येव भूयिष्ठं यथा प्रादुर्भवन्ति मे॥ अपि लक्ष्मण सीतायाः सामग्र्यं प्राप्नुयामहे। जीवन्त्याः पुरुषव्याघ्र सुताया जनकस्य वै॥

And, considering the many omens that take place before me, O Laksmana, I do not know whether we shall light upon welfare of Janaka's daughter Sita being alive, O best of men.

Aranya Kanda 57.16

यथा वै मृगसंघाश्च गोमायुश्चैव भैरवम्। वाशन्ते शकुनाश्चापि प्रदीप्तामभितो दिशम्। अपि स्वस्ति भवेत् तस्या राजपुत्र्या महाबल॥

As these multitudes of beasts and these jackals are crying frightfully in the flaming direction*, I do not know, O you of mighty strength, whether it is well with that daughter of the king. i.e. The quarter presided over by the sun, vic., the East.

Aranya Kanda 57.17

इदं हि रक्षो मृगसंनिकाशं प्रलोभ्य मां दूरमनुप्रयातम्। हतं कथंचिन्महता श्रमेण स राक्षसोऽभून्द्रियमाण एव॥

This Rākşasa, who, wearing the shape of a deer, and, alluring me, had drawn me far, has in some sort been slain by me wiih much ado; and he became a Rāksasa at the time of his death.

Aranya Kanda 57.18

मनश्च मे दीनमिहाप्रहृष्टं चक्षुश्च सव्यं कुरुते विकारम्। असंशयं लक्ष्मण नास्ति सीता हृता मृता वा पथि वर्तते वा॥

Yet my mind is poor and cheerless; and my left eye throbs. Doubtless, O Laksmana, Sita is not, she is either carried away, or dead, or is wandering on the way. SECITION 58

Aranya Kanda 57.19

स दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणं दीनं शून्यं दशरथात्मजः। पर्यपृच्छत धर्मात्मा वैदहीमागतं विना॥

Seeing Lakşmana cast down, cheerless, and come without Vaidehī, the righteous son of Dasaratha, asked him.

Aranya Kanda 57.20

प्रस्थितं दण्डकारण्यं या मामनुजगाम ह। क्व सा लक्ष्मण वैदेही यां हित्वा त्वमिहागतः॥

Where, O Laksmana is that Vaidehi, who has followed me to the Dandaka forest, and leaving whom you have come hither?

Aranya Kanda 57.21

राज्यभ्रष्टस्य दीनस्य दण्डकान् परिधावतः। क्व सा दुःखसहाया मे वैदेही तनुमध्यमा॥

Where is that one of a slender waist, who is the help in trouble of me, deprived of my kingdom, dispirited, and running about the Dandakas?

Aranya Kanda 57.22

यां विना नोत्सहे वीर मुहूर्तमपि जीवितुम्। क्व सा प्राणसहाया मे सीता सुरसुतोपमा॥

Without whom, O hero, I cannot live for a moment-where is that life's help of me Sītā resembling the daughter of a celestial?

Aranya Kanda 57.23

पतित्वममराणां हि पृथिव्याश्चापि लक्ष्मण । विना तां तपनीयाभा नेच्छेयं जनकात्मजाम्॥

O Laksmana, without Janaka's daughter (hued) like burning gold, I covet not the sovereignty of the celestials or the earth.

Aranya Kanda 57.24

कच्चिज्जीवति वैदेही प्राणैः प्रियतरा मम। कच्चित् प्रव्राजनं वीर न मे मिथ्या भविष्यति॥

Is Vaidehī, dearer to me than my life still living? Shall this exile of mine be of no avail?

Aranya Kanda 57.25

सीतानिमित्तं सौमित्रे मृते मयि गते त्वयि। कच्चित् सकामा कैकेयी सुखिता सा भविष्यति॥ सपुत्रराज्यां सिद्धार्थां मृतपुत्रा तपस्विनी। उपस्थास्यति कौसल्या कच्चित्सौम्येन कैकयीम्॥

O Sumitrā's son, on my dying for Sītā and your returning (to the city). shall Kaikeyi have her desire, and attain felicity; and shall Kausalyā, her son dead, and herself wearing the guise of a female mendicant, humbly wait upon Kaikeyi when she shall have succeeded in obtaining the kingdom for her son?

Aranya Kanda 57.26

यदि जीवति वैदेही गमिष्याम्याश्रमं पुनः। संवृत्ता यदि वृत्ता सा प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यामि लक्ष्मण ॥

If Vaidehī live, I will then return to the asylum; but O Lakşmaņa, if that one of excellent character should happen to be dead, I will also renounce my life.

Aranya Kanda 57.27

यदि मामाश्रमगतं वैदेही नाभिभाषते। पुरः प्रहसिता सीता विनशिष्यामि लक्ष्मण ॥

If, O Laksmana, Vaidehi ever precluding her speech with a smile should not speak to me when I arrive at the asylum, I shall give up my life.

Aranya Kanda 57.28

ब्रूहि लक्ष्मण वैदेही यदि जीवति वा न वा। त्वयि प्रमत्ते रक्षोभिर्भक्षिता वा तपस्विनी॥

tell me, O Laksmana, whether Do you Videha's daughter live or not; or whether, in consequence of your acting heedlessly, that forlorn wench has been devoured by Raksasas.

Aranya Kanda 57.29

सुकुमारी च बाला च नित्यं चादुः :खभागिनी। मद्वियोगेन वैदेही व्यक्तं शोचति दुर्मनाः॥

Of a tender frame, and a mere girl, Vaidehi, never having experienced unhappiness being cast down, surely weep for my separation.

Aranya Kanda 57.30

सर्वथा रक्षसा तेन जिह्येन सुदुरात्मना। वदता लक्ष्मणेत्युच्चस्तवापि जनितं भयम्॥

When that exceedingly wicked Rākşasa cried, Lakşmaņa at the top of his voice, was you also seized with fear?

Aranya Kanda 57.31

श्रुतश्च मन्ये वैदेह्या स स्वरः सदृशो मम। त्रस्तया प्रेषितस्त्वं च द्रष्टुं मां शीघ्रमागतः॥

And I apprehend that voice resembling mine was heard by Vaidehī; and, despatched by her from fear, you may have come hither swiftly to see* me. Some texts-to rescue me.

Aranya Kanda 57.32

सर्वथा तु कृतं कष्टं सीतामुत्सृजता वने। प्रतिकर्तुं नृशंसानां रक्षसां दत्तमन्तरम्॥

You have every way acted unwisely in having left Şītā alone in the wood. By this you have afforded opportunity to the cruel Rākşasas to repair the mischief (I have done them).

Aranya Kanda 57.33

दुःखिताः खरघातेन राक्षसाः पिशिताशनाः। तैः सीता निहता घोरैर्भविष्यति न संशयः॥

The Rākşasas subsisting flesh are aggrieved because of Khara having been slain; and now, without doubt, those terrible ones have slain Sita.

Aranya Kanda 57.34

अहोऽस्मि व्यसने मग्नः सर्वथा रिपुनाशन। किं त्विदानीं करिष्यामि शङ्के प्राप्तव्यमीदृशम्॥

Alas! absolutely sunk am I in peril, O destroyer of foes. What shall I do now? I fear such an event was appointed for me.

Aranya Kanda 57.35

इति सीतां वरारोहां चिन्तयन्नेव राघवः। आजगाम जनस्थानं त्वरया सहलक्ष्मणः॥

Thus thinking of Sītā, paragon among women, Rāghava hastily went to Janasthāna in company with Laksmana. on

Aranya Kanda 57.36

विगर्हमाणोऽनुजमार्तरूपं क्षुधाश्रमेणैव पिपासया च। विनिःश्वसशुष्कमुखो विषण्णः प्रतिश्रयं प्राप्य समीक्ष्य शून्यम्॥

Taking to task his younger brother of distressed visage, Rāma, afflicted with hunger and thirst, and dejected in spirits, sighing heavily with a countenance turned pale, entered the asylum and found it vacant.

Aranya Kanda 57.37

स्वमाश्रमं स प्रविगाह्य वीरो विहारदेशाननुसृत्य कांश्चित्। एतत्तदित्येव निवासभूमौ प्रहृष्टरोमा व्यथितो बभूव ॥

And entering his own asylum that hero went to the play-grounds (of Sītā) and remembering the sporting ground (of Sītā) in that abode, he was filled with grief and his down stood on end.

Aranya Kanda 57.38