Sundara Kanda — Sarga 22

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा परुषं राक्षसेश्वरः। प्रत्युवाच ततः सीतां विप्रियं प्रियदर्शनाम्॥

Hearing those harsh accents, that lord of Rākṣasas, replied to Sītā, of comely presence, with the following unpleasant words.

Sundara Kanda 22.1

यथा यथा सान्त्वयिता वश्यः स्त्रीणां तथा तथा। यथा यथा प्रियं वक्ता परिभूतस्तता तथा॥

It is generally found on earth that the more a woman is courted by a man, the more she is brought under his influence, (But for you) the more kindly I have been behaving towards you, the more roughly I have been treated.

Sundara Kanda 22.2

संनियच्छति मे क्रोधं त्वयि कामः समुत्थितः। द्रवतो मार्गमासाद्य हयानिव सुसारथिः॥

Truly dose my love for you keep in control the wrath like to a good charioteer restraining the swerving steed.

Sundara Kanda 22.3

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

O mighty is amour to men, for on whom this amour fall, albeit she is an object of wrath, becomes an object of kindness and affection.

Sundara Kanda 22.4

एतस्मात् कारणान्न त्वां घातयामि वरानने। वधार्हामवमानाहाँ मिथ्या प्रव्रजने रताम्॥

O you of fair countenance, it is for this reason, that I do not destroy you, although you, who are engaged in false asceticism, are worthy of being killed and dishonoured. do you

Sundara Kanda 22.5

परुषाणि हि वाक्यानि यानि यानि ब्रवीषि माम्। तेषु तेषु वधो युक्तस्तव मैथिलि दारुणः॥

O Maithili, for each and every one of all those harsh words which you had used by me, deserve death.

Sundara Kanda 22.6

एवमुक्त्वा तु वैदेहीं रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। क्रोधसंरम्भसंयुक्तः सीतामुत्तरमब्रवीत्॥

Having spoken thus to Vaidehi, Ravana, the lord of Raksasas, having his wrath subdued, again bespake Sītā.

Sundara Kanda 22.7

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

I shall wait for those two months, of which I have made a contract, after which you shall have to share my bed. O you of a comely presence.

Sundara Kanda 22.8

द्वाभ्यामूर्ध्वं तु मासाभ्यां भर्तारं मामनिच्छतीम्। मम त्वां प्रातराशार्थे सूदाश्छेत्स्यन्ति खण्डशः॥

Even then if you do refuse to regard me as your husband, my cooks shall mince your limbs with steel and serve you for my morning meal.

Sundara Kanda 22.9

तां भय॑मानां सम्प्रेक्ष्य राक्षसेन्द्रेण जानकीम्। देवगन्धर्वकन्यास्ता विषेदुर्विकृतेक्षणाः॥

Beholding the lord of Rākşasas remonstrate with the daughter of Janaka is this wise, the daughters of the celestials and Gandharvas became exceedingly sorry.

Sundara Kanda 22.10

ओष्ठप्रकारैरपरा नेत्रैर्वक्त्रैस्तथापराः। सीतामाश्वासयामासुस्तर्जितां तेन रक्षसा॥

Some with lips, some with eyes, and some with gestures of their faces, they all consoled Sita, thus distressed by that Raksasa.

Sundara Kanda 22.11

ताभिराश्वासिता सीता रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्। उवाचात्महितं वाक्यं वृत्तशौटीर्यगर्वितम्॥

Thus consoled by them, and being proud of her good conduct and her husband's heroism, Sītā thus addressed Rāvana, the lord of Raksasas.

Sundara Kanda 22.12

नूनं न ते जनः कश्चिदस्मिन्निःश्रेयसि स्थितः। निवारयति यो न त्वां कर्मणोऽस्माद् विगर्हितात्॥

Forsooth there is no person in this city who desire your welfare and therefore prevent you from such an impious deed.

Sundara Kanda 22.13

मां हि धर्मात्मनः पत्नीं शचीमिव शचीपतेः। त्वदन्यस्त्रिषु लोकेषु प्रार्थयेन्मनसाऽपि कः॥

Who is there in the three worlds, who even desire me in mind, who am the spouse of the virtuous souled (Rāma) like to Indra's Sacī.

Sundara Kanda 22.14

राक्षसाधम रामस्य भार्याममिततेजसः। उक्तवानसि यत्पापं व गतस्तस्य मोक्ष्यसे ॥

O you the vilest of the Rākşasas, for using those vicious words towards the spouse of Rāma, of immeasured prowess, repairing whither shall you escape vengeance?

Sundara Kanda 22.15

यथा दृप्तश्च मातङ्गः शशश्च सहितौ वने। तथा द्विरदवद् रामस्त्वं नीच शशवत्स्मृतः॥

Like to an infuriated elephant encountering a hare in the forest, you shall O Vile! a hare as you are, meet with that elephant-like Rāma.

Sundara Kanda 22.16

स त्वमिक्ष्वाकुनाथं वै क्षिपनिह न लज्जसे। चक्षुषो विषये तस्य न यावदुपगच्छसि॥

You are not ashamed of railing that lord of Ikşvākus, so long as dose you not come within his ken.

Sundara Kanda 22.17

इमे ते नयने क्रूरे विकृते कृष्णपिङ्गले। क्षितौ न पतिते कस्मान्मामनार्य निरीक्षतः॥

O base! why do not your grim, terrible, coppery eyes, looking so viciously at me, fall down on earth.

Sundara Kanda 22.18

तस्य धर्मात्मनः पत्नी स्नुषा दशरथस्य च। कथं व्याहरतो मां ते न जिह्वा पाप शीर्यति ॥

O vicious wretch, I am the spouse of that virtuous-souled (Rāma) and daughter-in-law of Dasaratha—using these vile words towards me, why dose not your tongue fall off?

Sundara Kanda 22.19

असंदेशात्तु रामस्य तपसश्चानुपालनात्। न त्वां कुर्मि दशग्रीव भस्म भस्मार्हतेजसा॥

O Ten-necked one, I can instantly reduce you to ashes but for Rāma's mandate and my ascetic observances.

Sundara Kanda 22.20

नापहर्तुमहं शक्या तस्य रामस्य धीमतः। विधिस्तव वधार्थाय विहितो नात्र संशयः॥

You could not have ravished me in the presence of the highly intelligent Rāma. And undoubtedly for your destruction this has been brought about by God.

Sundara Kanda 22.21

शूरेण धनदभ्रात्रा बलैः समुदितेन च। अपोह्य रामं कस्माच्चिद् दारचौर्यं त्वया कृतम्॥

You are heroic and Kubera's brother and great in prowess, why didst you then take me by stealth after despatching Rāma away from the hermitage?”

Sundara Kanda 22.22

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। विवृत्य नयने क्रूर जानकीमन्ववैक्षत॥

Hearing those words of Sītā, Rāvana, the lord of Rāksasas, whirling his grim eyes, looked towards the daughter of Janaka.

Sundara Kanda 22.23

नीलजीमूतसंकाशो महाभुजशिरोधरः। सिंहसत्त्वगतिः श्रीमान् दीप्तजिह्वोग्रलोचनः॥

He was like to a mass of blue clouds and his arms and necks were long and spacious. He was gifted with elephantine gaits and his tongues and eyes were sharp and flaming.

Sundara Kanda 22.24

चलानमुकुटप्रांशुश्चित्रमाल्यानुलेपनः। रक्तमाल्याम्बरधरस्तप्ताङ्गदविभूषणः॥ श्रोणीसूत्रेण महता मेचकेन सुसंवृतः। अमृतोत्पादने नद्धो भुजङ्गनेव मन्दरः॥

The top of his crown was shaking and he had charming garland around his neck and his person sprinkled with paste. He had crimson-coloured garlands and clothes on and his charming arms were adorned with ornaments. Encircled with a sword-belt around his waist he appeared like to Mandara, entwined by a snake at the time of the churning of the ocean.

Sundara Kanda 22.25

ताभ्यां स परिपूर्णाभ्यां भुजाभ्यां राक्षसेश्वरः। शुशुभेऽचलसंकाशः शृङ्गाभ्यामिव मन्दरः॥

With his two plump arms, ihat lord of Rākşasas appeared like to the hill Mandara with its two huge summits.

Sundara Kanda 22.26

तरुणादित्यवर्णाभ्यां कुण्डलाभ्यां विभूषितः। रक्तपल्लवपुष्पाभ्यामशोकाभ्यामिवाचलः॥

And adorned with a pair of Kundalas (A kind of ornament worn on ears.) resembling the newly risen Sun he looked like a hill covered with two Asoka trees enveloped with crimson flowers and leaves.

Sundara Kanda 22.27

स कल्पवृक्षप्रतिमो वसन्त इव मूर्तिमान्। शमशानचैत्यप्रतिमो भूषितोऽपि भयंकरः॥

He was like to Kalpa tree (A fabulous tree granting everything desired.) and spring incarnate. And albeit adorned, he looked terrible like to a Caitya (A monument or sculpture raised in honour of a deceased person on the site of a funeral pyre.) on the cremation-ground.

Sundara Kanda 22.28

अवेक्षमाणो वैदेही कोपसंरक्तलोचनः। उवाच रावणः सीतां भुजङ्ग इव निःश्वसन्॥

And having his eyes red hot with ire, sighing again and again like to a snake and casting his looks upon Sītā, Rāvaņa addressed her again, saying.

Sundara Kanda 22.29

अनयेनाभिसम्पन्नमर्थहीनमनुव्रते। नाशायाम्यहमद्य त्वां सूर्यः संध्यामिवौजसा ॥

O you following asceticism, this your vow is without any meaning and beyond the pale of morality. Even shall I destroy you today like to the Sun dispelling darkness with his rays.

Sundara Kanda 22.30

इत्युक्त्वा मैथिली राजा रावणः शत्रुरावणः। संददर्श ततः सर्वा राक्षसी?रदर्शनाः॥

Having thus addressed Maithili, the inimical king Rāvaņa cast his looks towards the grimvisaged Rākşasīs.

Sundara Kanda 22.31

एकाक्षीमेककर्णां च कर्णप्रावरणां तथा। गोकर्णी हस्तिकर्णी च लम्बकर्णीमकर्णिकाम्॥ हस्तिपद्यश्वपद्यौ च गोपदीं पादचूलिकाम्। एकाक्षीमेकपादी च पृथुपादीमपादिकाम्॥ अतिमात्रशिरोग्रीवामतिमात्रकुचोदरीम्। अतिमात्रस्यनेत्रां च दीर्घजिह्वानखामपि॥ अनासिकां सिंहमुखीं गोमुखीं सुकरीमुखीम्। यथा मद्वशगा सीता क्षिप्रं भवति जानकी॥ तथा कुरुत राक्षस्यः सर्वाः क्षिप्रं समेत्य वा। प्रतिलोमानुलोमैश्च सामदानादिभेदनैः॥ आवर्जयत वैदेहीं दण्डस्योद्यमनेन च।

And among those Rākṣasīs, some had huge ears, some had ears like those of kine, some had ears as long as arms, some had long ears and others were without any. And some had legs like those of an elephant; some had like those of a cow and some had legs covered with hairs. And some had one eye, some had one leg, some had capacious legs and some were without any. And some had huge heads and necks and some had breast and belly beyond proportions and some had faces and eyes above human size. Some had huge tongues and nails. And some were without noses. And some had leonine faces, some had faces like those of kine and some had those of boars. And casting his look towards such Raksasis, he said-You Raksasis, do youall endeavour to bring Sītā, the daughter of Janaka, under my control. By good or bad conduct, by conciliation or gift, by threat or blandishment, do yo so endeavour as Vaidehi's soul night be bent to me.

Sundara Kanda 22.32

इति प्रतिसमादिश्य राक्षसेन्द्रः पुनः पुनः॥ काममन्युपरीतात्मा जानकी प्रति गर्जत।

And having ordered thus again and again, that lord of Rākşasas, stricken with amour and ire, addressed Sītā, roaring fiercely.

Sundara Kanda 22.33

उपगम्य ततः क्षिप्रं राक्षसी धान्यमालिनी॥ परिष्वज्य दशग्रीवमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।

Thereupon approaching speedily and embracing the Ten-necked one, one Rākşasī named Dhānyamālīnī bespoke him.

Sundara Kanda 22.34

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

Do you sport with me. O great king. What shall you do with her? O lord of Rākşasas-a human being poorly and of a pale countenance.

Sundara Kanda 22.35

नूनमस्यां महाराज न देवा भोगसत्चमान्॥ विदधत्यमर श्रेष्ठास्तव बाहुबलार्जितान्।

O great king, forsooth, the celestials have not destined for her enjoyment all those objects which you had procured by your prowess.

Sundara Kanda 22.36

अकामां कामयानस्य शरीरमुपतप्यते॥ इच्छती कामयानस्य प्रीतिर्भवति शोभना।

Again he who desire for an unwilling dame burn his own person—and he who desire for a willing damsel, attain excess of delight.

Sundara Kanda 22.37

एवमुक्तस्तु राक्षस्या समुत्क्षिप्तस्ततो बली। प्रहसन् मेघसंकाशो राक्षसः स न्यवर्तत ॥

Having said this, the Rākşasī took away Rāvana by force. And that Rākşasa too, resembling a mass of clouds, laughing, turned back.

Sundara Kanda 22.38

प्रस्थितः स दशग्रीवः कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम्। ज्वलद्भास्करसंकाशं प्रविवेश निवेशनम् ॥

And that Ten-necked one, strode away as if shaking the whole earth and passed within (his queen's) abode resembling the effulgent Sun.

Sundara Kanda 22.39

देवगन्धर्वकन्याश्च नागकन्याश्च तास्ततः। परिवार्य दशग्रीवं प्रविशुस्ता गृहोत्तमम्॥

And encircling Rāvana those daughters of celestials Gandharvas and Nāgas, entered into an excellent abode.

Sundara Kanda 22.40

स मैथिली धर्मपरामवस्थितां प्रवेपमानं परिभय॑ रावणः। विहाय सीतां मदनेन मोहितः स्वमेव वेश्म प्रविवेश रावणः॥

And having remonstrated with and left behind, the firm and pious Sīta with a trembling person, Rāvana, possessed by amour entered into his own palace.

Sundara Kanda 22.41