Chapter 18

Aranya Kanda - Book Of Forest

VERSE 1

ताम् तु शूर्पणखाम् रामः काम पाश अवपाशिताम्
स्वच्छ्हया श्लक्ष्णया वाचा स्मित पूर्वम् अथ अब्रवीत्

tām tu śūrpaṇakhām rāmaḥ kāma pāśa avapāśitām
svacchhayā ślakṣṇayā vācā smita pūrvam atha abravīt

SYNONYMS

rāmaḥ: Rama | kāma pāśa ava pāśitām: by, lust's, noose, tethered down | tām śūrpaṇakhām: to her, Shuurpanakha | svacchayā ślakṣṇayā vācā: clearly, softly, with voice | smita pūrvam: smile, preceded by | atha abravīt: then, said. |

TRANSLATION

Rama then voicing clearly and softly spoke to her, whom the noose of lust has tethered down, with a smile preceding his words. [3-18-1]

VERSE 2

कृत दारो अस्मि भवति भार्या इयम् दयिता मम
त्वत् विधानाम् तु नारीणाम् सुदुःखा ससपत्नता

kṛta dāro asmi bhavati bhāryā iyam dayitā mama
tvat vidhānām tu nārīṇām suduḥkhā sasapatnatā

SYNONYMS

bhavati: oh, honourable one | kṛta dāraḥ asmi: made, married, I am | iyam mama dayitā bhāryā: this is, my, dear, wife | tvat vidhānām tu: to your, sort of [females,] but | nārīṇām: females | sa sapatnatā: [living] with, co-wife | su duḥkhā: will be distressing. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, honourable one, I am married and this is my dear wife, thus it will be distressing for your sort of females to live with a co-wife. [3-18-2]

VERSE 3

अनुजः तु एष मे भ्राता शीलवान् प्रिय दर्शनः
श्रीमान् अकृत दारः च लक्ष्मणो नाम वीर्यवान्

anujaḥ tu eṣa me bhrātā śīlavān priya darśanaḥ
śrīmān akṛta dāraḥ ca lakṣmaṇo nāma vīryavān

SYNONYMS

lakṣmaṇaḥ nāma: Lakshmana, named | eṣa anujaḥ me bhrātā: he is, younger one, my, brother | śīlavān: with good conduct | priya darśanaḥ: good looking one | śrīmān: promising one | vīryavān: valiant one | a kṛta dāraḥ ca: not, made, wife nearly, not with a wife. |

TRANSLATION

"He is my younger brother named Lakshmana, he is with a good conduct, good looking, a promising and valiant one, and he is without a wife. [3-18-3]

PURPORT

Rama is punning here. In punning apparent meaning will be different than the latent and the apparent appears to an untruth. Then if it is questioned whether Rama tells a lie while joking or punning, it is not so: nyaaya - guruuNam api samam haasyam kartavyam kutilam vinaa 'even with teachers one can be humorous, if it is not fraudulent'. According to dharmaakuutam which quotes gautam suutra: vivaaha maithuna narma aatra saMyogeSu adoSakakameke anR^itam ; and in aapad dharma suutra: na narma yuktam anR^itam hi na asti na striiSu raajan na vivaaha kaale 'at the time of marriage or copulation or with women talking untruth [or with innuendo, or punning,] is not wrong.' Again if it be asked whether Rama really said in jocular way or in real sense, it is said that he has not joked. navevamapi raama vacanam parihaasa ruupamiti katham nishcitamiti cet na for this Rama's words at 3-18-19 will suffice, saumitre parihaasaH kathaMcana 'Lakshmana.... no joking with this kind of beings please...' dharmaakuutam. Rama is known to be a jovial talker, na vitathaa parihaasa kathhasvapi Here for the word a kR^ita daaraH apparently means 'not, made, wife= wife not available.' But Lakshmana is married and Rama says here he is unmarried. Then Rama must have bluffed! Not so, that compound is in its subtext means: 'one who did not make his wife to come along, hence there is no wife.' Govindaraja. In another way, the word a in a kR^ite also means antaHpura according to the thesaurus of a and it is said as: akaaro brahma vishNu iisha kamaTheSva~NgaNe, gaurave antaHpure palace-chambers of queens; and thus the meaning is as: 'one who left behind his wife in palace-chambers, hence he has no wife.'
VERSE 4

अपूर्वी भार्यया च अर्थी तरुणः प्रिय दर्शनः
अनुरूपः च ते भर्ता रूपस्य अस्य भविष्यति

apūrvī bhāryayā ca arthī taruṇaḥ priya darśanaḥ
anurūpaḥ ca te bhartā rūpasya asya bhaviṣyati

SYNONYMS

a pūrvī: without, a wife | bhāryayā ca arthī: for wife, also, in need of | taruṇaḥ: youthful one | priya darśanaḥ: good, looking | te rūpasya asya: by your, features, that kind of | anu rūpaḥ bhartā: fitly, husband | bhaviṣyati: he becomes. |

TRANSLATION

"He is without a wife and in need of a wife he is youthful, good-looking and he can become a fitly husband of yours, fit enough to your kind of features. [3-18-4]

PURPORT

The word apuurvi means in the viewpoint of Rama 'one who has been missing the company of wife for a long' but in Shuurpanakha's view it is 'one who is missing the company of ANY wife for a long...' The word bhaaryaa ca arthii is from Rama's view 'desiring his own wife, Urmila' but in Shuurpanakha's view 'desiring ANY woman as wife' and the word te bhartaa is declined as te.abhartaa= te a bhartaa 'unfit to be your husband' because of your ruupasya asyaa 'by your aspect, your repulsive aspect.' Govindaraja. In another way akR^ita daaraH 'already a married man' apuurvii 'one who does not have the comfort from wife' so bharyayaa ca arthii; a + puurva bhaaryayaa ca arthii 'for a new wife, also, desiring one; one who is desiring new wife; thus you are a fitly wife for him by your aspect, anuruupascha te . This is on joculary side of the statement parihaasa anukuula praatiitaka artha . The implicit meaning is akR^ita daaraH 'one without a wife now or one who does not take another wife.' apuurva bhaaryayaa by first wife alone, arthii he is desired; shiilavaan, eka patnii vrata shiila vantaH an abider in the syndrome of 'one-man-one-wife.' priya darshanaH 'in dear ones, tend towards; tending towards his dear ones.' te.abhrtaa= te + a + bhartaa 'for you, no, husband; he is no husband of yours, he can never be your husband.' anu ruupaH 'fit for his own wife.' asya ruupasya yogya bhaviSyati? 'with this kind of, aspect of yours for you with such a notorious aspect, will he be eligible to become your husband? No, he will not.' Maheshvara Tiirtha. The word apuurvi is categorised under rare and unfamiliar words. It is said that as per rock edicts it is a traveller, brahmacaari celibate, who is studying apuurva, namely Veda-s. As mimaamsikaa-s tell us that apuurva is divineness, results from Vedic knowledge. Here the celibate state of Lakshmana is said to have been referred, 'though he is having his wife Urmila, he is undergoing celibacy.' And further 'In Gorresio's text it is there as taruNo bhaaryayaa ca arthii where taruNa is youthfulness. Rama is also youthful. So Rama's expression of apurvii is just to indicate Lakshmana as a brahmacaari a celibate, though he has a wife and youthful also. After Prof. Satya Vrat. Unchained is he by nuptial bands: is Griffith's wording.
VERSE 5

एनम् भज विशालाक्षि भर्तारम् भ्रातरम् मम
असपत्ना वरारोहे मेरुम् अर्क प्रभा यथा

enam bhaja viśālākṣi bhartāram bhrātaram mama
asapatnā varārohe merum arka prabhā yathā

SYNONYMS

viśālākṣi: oh, broad-eyed one | vara ārohe: great, waisted one | enam mama bhrātaram: him, my, brother | arka prabhā merum yathā: sun's, shine, on Mt. Meru, like | a sapatnā: without, a co-wife | bhartāram: as husband | bhaja: you pray you woo. |

TRANSLATION

"You woo him, oh, board-eyed [bulged-eyed] one, this brother of mine as your husband like sunshine seeking the Mt. Meru, then oh, great-waisted [pot-bellied] one, you will be without a co-wife " So said Rama to that demoness. [3-18-5]

PURPORT

The sunshine seeking Mt. Meru will spread over it, and on going at its behind, the sun disappears along with his shine. Such a massive mountain is that. Thus Mt. Meru is an absolver nivR^itti pradaata of sunshine. So also you reach Lakshmana and become absolved in him / by him. Govindaraja. Secondly, you adore Lakshmana like bhartaaram a husband, a Providence of all in the universe. Maheshvara Tiirtha.
VERSE 6

इति रामेण सा प्रोक्ता राक्षसी काम मोहिता
विसृज्य रामम् सहसा ततो लक्ष्मणम् अब्रवीत्

iti rāmeṇa sā proktā rākṣasī kāma mohitā
visṛjya rāmam sahasā tato lakṣmaṇam abravīt

SYNONYMS

rāmeṇa iti proktā [pra uktā]: by Rama, this way, [when] clearly told | rākṣasī kāma mohitā: demoness, in lust, dazed | sahasā rāmam visṛjya: quickly, discarding, Rama | tataḥ sā lakṣmaṇam abravīt: then, she, to Lakshmana, spoke. |

TRANSLATION

When Rama clearly told that way to that demoness dazed in lust, discarding Rama quickly then she spoke to Lakshmana. [3-18-6]

VERSE 7

अस्य रूपस्य ते युक्ता भार्या अहम् वरवर्णिनी
मया सह सुखम् सर्वान् दण्डकान् विचरिष्यसि

asya rūpasya te yuktā bhāryā aham varavarṇinī
mayā saha sukham sarvān daṇḍakān vicariṣyasi

SYNONYMS

te asya rūpasya: your, for this, with aspect [meetly to your charm] | vara varṇinī: best, complexioned one | aham yuktātā bhāryā: I am, a deserving, wife | mayā saha sukham: with me, along, happily | sarvān daṇḍakān vi cariṣyasi: all of, Dandaka, well, move about [take a jaunt.] |

TRANSLATION

"I with my best complexion will be your deserving wife meetly to you charm, you can happily take a jaunt all over Dandaka forest along with me." So Shuurpanakha ran after Lakshmana. [3-18-7]

VERSE 8

एवम् उक्तः तु सौमित्री राक्षस्या वाक्य कोविदः
ततः शूर्पणखीम् स्मित्वा लक्ष्मणो युक्तम् अब्रवीत्

evam uktaḥ tu saumitrī rākṣasyā vākya kovidaḥ
tataḥ śūrpaṇakhīm smitvā lakṣmaṇo yuktam abravīt

SYNONYMS

rākṣasyā evam uktaḥ tu: by demoness, thus, said, but | vākya kovidaḥ: sentence making, expert | saumitrī: Soumitri's son | lakṣmaṇaḥ: Lakshmana | tataḥ smitvā: then, smiled | śūrpaṇakhīm yuktam abravīt: to Shuurpanakha, reasonable [words,] said. |

TRANSLATION

Thus said by the demoness that meaningful sentence maker Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, then smiled and appropriately replied Shuurpanakha. [3-18-8]

VERSE 9

कथम् दासस्य मे दासी भार्या भवितुम् इच्छ्हसि
सो अहम् आर्येण परवान् भ्रात्रा कमल वर्णिनी

katham dāsasya me dāsī bhāryā bhavitum icchhasi
so aham āryeṇa paravān bhrātrā kamala varṇinī

SYNONYMS

kamala varṇinī: oh, [black] lotus, coloured one | dāsasya me bhāryā: servant's, me like, wife | dāsī bhavitum katham icchasi: female servant, to become, how, you wish | saḥ aham: such as, I am | āryeṇa: by adorable one [Rama] | paravān [para ādhīna] bhrātrā: vassal, brother. |

TRANSLATION

"How you wish to become a female servant, oh, [black] lotus-coloured one, by becoming the wife of a servant like me? I am just a vassal of my adorable brother. [3-18-9]

VERSE 10

समृद्ध अर्थस्य सिद्धार्था मुदित अमल वर्णिनी
आर्यस्य त्वम् विशालाक्षि भार्या भव यवीयसी

samṛddha arthasya siddhārthā mudita amala varṇinī
āryasya tvam viśālākṣi bhāryā bhava yavīyasī

SYNONYMS

viśāla akṣi: oh, broad-eyed [goggle-eyed] one | a mala varṇinī: un, blemished, complexioned one | [or, if disconnected as: muditā mala varṇini: mala varNini = filthy complexioned one, nothing more is there to blemish] | tvam: you | samṛddha arthasya: abounding, in means [is Rama] | āryasya: to adorable one [to Rama] | yavīyasī bhāryā: younger, wife | siddha arthā mudita bhava: achieving, your means, be happy. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, goggle eyed one, befitting to your complexion that is un-stainable further you better become the wife of my brother Rama who is abounding in means, and on becoming the younger wife of that adorable one, you too will achieve your means and thus you will be happy. [3-18-10]

PURPORT

The word samR^iddha artha is 'abounding in the means of salvation.' arthobhidheyaraiH vastu prayojana nivR^itteSu nivR^itti 'Rama will accord salvation to you, should you adore him as your ultimate husband, thereby your means too are achieved and you can be happy.' The compound mudita amala varnaNi when declined as a + mudita; mala varNinii will mean: ' you have no happiness, filthy is your complexion.' yaviiyasii bhaaryaa ; 'you are an unhappy creature with a filthy complexion and you will become a worst possible wife of Rama... do you wish to become at least that worst wife? No, never you can.' Maheshvara Tiirtha.
VERSE 11

एनाम् विरूपाम् असतीम् करालाम् निर्णत उदरीम्
भार्याम् वृद्धाम् परित्यज्य त्वाम् एव एष भजिष्यति

enām virūpām asatīm karālām nirṇata udarīm
bhāryām vṛddhām parityajya tvām eva eṣa bhajiṣyati

SYNONYMS

eṣa: he this Rama | vi rūpām: without shape disfigured one | a satīm = not, gūd one: dishonest | karālām: deleterious one | nirṇata udarīm: hallow-stomached | vṛddhām: old one | enām bhāryām parityajya: this, wife, on discarding | tvām eva bhajiṣyati: leaving off, you, alone, he adores. |

TRANSLATION

"On discarding her who is disfigured, dishonest, diabolically deleterious old wife with a hallow stomach that Rama will adore you alone. [3-18-11]

PURPORT

Lakshmana tolerates anything but lets no fly to fly over Seetha. He may defy his brother Rama, but never tolerates belittlement of Seetha, and lets none to insult her. Now he is retorting Shuurpanakha in the same words she used in last chapter when she was speaking about Seetha. Here Govindaraja says, viruupaama asatiim karaalaam nirNatatodariim vR^idhaam tvaam parityajya enaam bhaaryaam eva eSa 'oh, Shuurpanakha you are un-shapely, unworthy etc., so Rama will leave you off, and adores his own wife, Seetha only...' Govindaraja. Next, Maheshvara Tirtha says the same verse with reference to Seetha, it is: vi + ruupaam= visheSa ruupaam= tri loka sundariim with a particular excellence in her beauty in all three worlds; a + satiim= na anya pativrataa syaat samam vaa adhikam none, equalling or better in husband-adoration; karaalaam= karaalo daMture tunge daaruNe api ca, tallish; nirNata udariim hallow-stomached, slender-waisted, the first attribute a comely lady should have; vR^iddhaam= j~naana, shiila, guNa saMvR^ddhi 'abounding with intellect, character, conduct etc., not just years of age...' 'Seetha is one with a particular excellence in her beauty in all three worlds, none is equalling or higher to her in husband-adoration, a tallish lady, slender-waisted and in her enriched are intellect, character and conduct... how can she be left off for your sake?' This is the innuendo of Lakshmana's wording. Maheshvara Tiirtha.
VERSE 12

को हि रूपम् इदम् श्रेष्ठम् संत्यज्य वरवर्णिनि
मानुषेषु वरारोहे कुर्यात् भावम् विचक्षणः

ko hi rūpam idam śreṣṭham saṃtyajya varavarṇini
mānuṣeṣu varārohe kuryāt bhāvam vicakṣaṇaḥ

SYNONYMS

vara varṇini: oh, best, complexioned one | vara arohe: best, waisted one | vicakṣaṇaḥ: differentiating man, wiseacre | kaḥ hi: who, indeed | śreṣṭham idam rūpam: best, this sort of, personality | sam tyajya: completely, discarding | mānuṣeṣu bhāvam kuryāt: in human females, an intent, makes -- who will prefer. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, best complexioned one with best waist, is there any wiseacre to simply discard your kind of best personality, indeed, in preference to human females?" Lakshmana said so to Shuurpanakha. [3-18-12]

VERSE 13

इति सा लक्ष्मणेन उक्ता कराला निर्णतोदरी
मन्यते तत् वचः सत्यम् परिहास अविचक्षणा

iti sā lakṣmaṇena uktā karālā nirṇatodarī
manyate tat vacaḥ satyam parihāsa avicakṣaṇā

SYNONYMS

lakṣmaṇena iti uktā: by Lakshmana, thus, said | karālā nirṇatodarī: despicable, one with slouching stomach | parihāsa a vicakṣaṇā: equivoque, not, differentiating one equivocal | : she | tat vacaḥ: that, word | satyam manyate: truthful, presumed. |

TRANSLATION

Thus said by Lakshmana that despicable one with slouching stomach Shuurpanakha presumed those words to be truthful, for she is equivocal of that equivoque. [3-18-13]

VERSE 14

सा रामम् पर्णशालायाम् उपविष्टम् परंतपम्
सीतया सह दुर्धर्षम् अब्रवीत् काम मोहिता

sā rāmam parṇaśālāyām upaviṣṭam paraṃtapam
sītayā saha durdharṣam abravīt kāma mohitā

SYNONYMS

kāma mohitā: by lust, one fuddled by | : she | sītayā saha parṇaśālāyām upaviṣṭam: Seetha, along with, in cottage, one who is sitting | param tapam: enemy-scorcher | durdharṣam: unassailable one | rāmam: to Rama | abravīt: said. |

TRANSLATION

She who is fuddle by lust said to that unassailable enemy scorcher Rama who is sitting in the cottage along with Seetha. [3-18-14]

VERSE 15

इमाम् विरूपाम् असतीम् करालाम् निर्णतोदरीम्
वृद्धाम् भार्याम् अवष्टभ्य न माम् त्वम् बहु मन्यसे

imām virūpām asatīm karālām nirṇatodarīm
vṛddhām bhāryām avaṣṭabhya na mām tvam bahu manyase

SYNONYMS

virūpām asatīm karālām nirṇatodarīm: disfigured, dishonest, diabolical, hallow-stomached one | imām vṛddhām bhāryām avaṣṭabhya: her, old one, wife, tenacious of | tvam mām na bahu manyase: you, me, not, highly, regarding. |

TRANSLATION

"Tenacious of her who is disfigured, dishonest, diabolical, hallow-stomached old wife of yours you are not regarding me high. [3-18-15]

VERSE 16

अद्य इमाम् भक्षयिष्यामि पश्यतः तव मानुषीम्
त्वया सह चरिष्यामि निःसपत्ना यथा सुखम्

adya imām bhakṣayiṣyāmi paśyataḥ tava mānuṣīm
tvayā saha cariṣyāmi niḥsapatnā yathā sukham

SYNONYMS

tava paśyataḥ: you, while seeing | adya imām mānuṣīm: now, her, the human female | bhakṣayiṣyāmi: I wish eat up | niḥ sa patnā: without [botheration of,] co, wife | tvayā saha cariṣyāmi: with you, along, I ramble [make merry] | yathā sukham = as per, cīrfulness: blithely. |

TRANSLATION

"Now I wish to eat up this human female right before your very eyes, and then I can blithely make merry along with you, without the botheration of a co-wife." Said Shuurpanakha to Rama. [3-18-16]

VERSE 17

इति उक्त्वा मृगशावाक्षीम् अलात सदृश ईक्षणा
अभ्यधावत् सुसंक्रुद्धा महा उल्का रोहिणीम् इव

iti uktvā mṛgaśāvākṣīm alāta sadṛśa īkṣaṇā
abhyadhāvat susaṃkruddhā mahā ulkā rohiṇīm iva

SYNONYMS

alāta sadṛśa īkṣaṇā: half burnt wood stick, [torche-like,] equal, eyed Shuurpanakha | iti uktvā: thus, speaking | su sam kruddhā: very, highly, exasperated | mahā ulkā rohiṇīm iva: great, meteor, towards Rohini [a brightest star in sky,] like | mṛgaśāva akṣīm: towards deer, eyed [Seetha] | abhyadhāvat: dashed. |

TRANSLATION

Speaking that way she that torch-eyed Shuurpanakha dashed towards the deer-eyed Seetha in high exasperation as a great meteor would dash towards Rohini, the brightest star in the sky. [3-18-17]

VERSE 18

ताम् मृत्यु पाश प्रतिमाम् आपतंतीम् महाबलः
विगृह्य रामः कुपितः ततो लक्ष्मणम् अब्रवीत्

tām mṛtyu pāśa pratimām āpataṃtīm mahābalaḥ
vigṛhya rāmaḥ kupitaḥ tato lakṣmaṇam abravīt

SYNONYMS

mahābalaḥ rāmaḥ: greatly, energetic, Rama | kupitaḥ: took umbrage | ā patantīm = coming, falling: swooping | mṛtyu pāśa pratimām: death's, noose, like | tām vi gṛhya: her, on checking | tataḥ lakṣmaṇam abravīt: to Lakshmana, said. |

TRANSLATION

By that the great-energetic Rama took umbrage and checking her who is like the noose of death swooping down on Seetha said to Lakshmana. [3-18-18]

VERSE 19

क्रूरैः अनार्यैः सौमित्रे परिहासः कथंचन
न कार्यः पश्य वैदेहीम् कथंचित् सौम्य जीवतीम्

krūraiḥ anāryaiḥ saumitre parihāsaḥ kathaṃcana
na kāryaḥ paśya vaidehīm kathaṃcit saumya jīvatīm

SYNONYMS

saumya: oh, gentle one | saumitre: Soumitri | krūraiḥ: with brutish ones | an āryaiḥ = vith un, civilised ones: base | kathamcana: in any event | parihāsaḥ na kāryaḥ = punning, not, be made: inapposite | kathamcit jīvatīm vaidehīm paśya: somehow, surviving, at Vaidehi, see. |

TRANSLATION

"Punning in any way with the base and brutish is inapposite, oh, gentle Saumitri, mark note of Vaidehi, somehow surviving [3-18-19]

VERSE 20

इमाम् विरूपाम् असतीम् अतिमत्ताम् महोदरीम्
राक्षसीम् पुरुषव्याघ्र विरूपयितुम् अर्हसि

imām virūpām asatīm atimattām mahodarīm
rākṣasīm puruṣavyāghra virūpayitum arhasi

SYNONYMS

puruṣa vyāghra: oh, manly-tiger | vi rūpām: freakish | a satīm: knavish | ati mattām: overtly, ruttish | mahā udarīm: big, bellied | imām rākṣasīm: this, demoness be | vi rūpayitum arhasi: without, shape [to deface,] apt of you. |

TRANSLATION

"She is freakish, knavish and overtly ruttish, oh, tigerly man, it will be apt of you to deface this paunchy demoness " Thus Rama said to Lakshmana. [3-18-20]

VERSE 21

इति उक्तो लक्ष्मणः तस्याः क्रुद्धो रामस्य पश्यतः
उद्धृत्य खड्गम् चिच्छ्हेद कर्ण नासम् महाबलः

iti ukto lakṣmaṇaḥ tasyāḥ kruddho rāmasya paśyataḥ
uddhṛtya khaḍgam cicchheda karṇa nāsam mahābalaḥ

SYNONYMS

iti uktaḥ mahābalaḥ lakśmaṇaḥ: thus, said, great-mighty, Lakshmana | kruddhaḥ: infuriated | rāmasya paśyataḥ: while Rama, is seeing | uddhṛtya khaḍgam: taking up [drawing,] sword | tasyāḥ karṇa nāsam ciccheda: her, ears, nose, chopped off. |

TRANSLATION

Thus said to that mighty Lakshmana he infuriately drew sword and chopped off her ears and nose before the very eyes of Rama. [3-18-21]

VERSE 22

निकृत्त कर्ण नासा तु विस्वरम् सा विनद्य च
यथा आगतम् प्रदुद्राव घोरा शूर्पणखा वनम्

nikṛtta karṇa nāsā tu visvaram sā vinadya ca
yathā āgatam pradudrāva ghorā śūrpaṇakhā vanam

SYNONYMS

ghorā sā śūrpaṇakhā: ghastly one, she, Shuurpanakha | nikṛtta karṇa nāsā tu: hewed off, ears, nose, but | vi svaram vi nadya ca: discordantly, she, highly, blared | yathā āgatam: as has come | vanam: into forest | pradudrāva [pra du drāva]: very, speedily, fled. |

TRANSLATION

On hewing off her ears and nose she that ghastly Shuurpanakha blared highly and discordantly, and very speedily fled into forest as she came. [3-18-22]

VERSE 23

सा विरूपा महाघोरा राक्षसी शोणित उक्षिता
ननाद विविधान् नादान् यथा प्रावृषि तोयदः

sā virūpā mahāghorā rākṣasī śoṇita ukṣitā
nanāda vividhān nādān yathā prāvṛṣi toyadaḥ

SYNONYMS

vi rūpā: defaced | mahā ghorā: very ghastly one | śoṇita ukṣitā: blood, wetted | sā rākṣasī: she, that demoness | prāvṛṣi toyadaḥ yathā: in cloudburst, cloud, as with | nanāda vividhān nādān: blaring, many a, blared |

TRANSLATION

She that very ghastly demoness when defaced is wetted by blood and blared many a blare like a cloud in cloudburst. [3-18-23]

VERSE 24

सा विक्षरंती रुधिरम् बहुधा घोर दर्शना
प्रगृह्य बाहू गर्जन्ती प्रविवेश महावनम्

sā vikṣaraṃtī rudhiram bahudhā ghora darśanā
pragṛhya bāhū garjantī praviveśa mahāvanam

SYNONYMS

ghora darśanā sā: gruesome, in appearance, she | bahudhā rudhiram vi kṣarantī = in many vay: fountained, blood, profusely, exuding | bāhū pragṛhya: arms, clutching -- clasped herself | garjantī mahā vanam praviveśa: thundering, great [gruesome,] forest, entered. |

TRANSLATION

She that gruesome one in her appearance clasped herself and thunderously entered similarly gruesome forest while her blood fountained and profusely exuded. [3-18-24]

VERSE 25

ततः तु सा राक्षस संघ सम्वृतम्
खरम् जन स्थान गतम् विरूपिता
उपेत्य तम् भ्रातरम् उग्र
तेजसम्
पपात भूमौ गगनाद् यथा अशनिः

tataḥ tu sā rākṣasa saṃgha samvṛtam
kharam jana sthāna gatam virūpitā
upetya tam bhrātaram ugra
tejasam
papāta bhūmau gaganād yathā aśaniḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | sā virūpitā: she who is, disfigured | rākṣasa sangha samvṛtam: demons, band of, surrounded by | janasthāna gatam: in Janasthaana, one abiding in | ugra tejasam: one with violent, vigour | bhrātaram: at her brother | tam kharam: that, Khara | upetya: neared | gaganāt aśaniḥ yathā: from sky, thunderbolt, as with | bhūmau papāta: on ground, fell down. |

TRANSLATION

Then she who is deformed neared her brother Khara who possess violent vigour, who is abiding in Janasthaana and who is presently surrounded by his band of his hench-demons, and before him she that Shuurpanakha fell onto ground like a thunderbolt from the sky. [3-18-25]

VERSE 26

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये अरण्य काण्डे अष्टादशः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye araṇya kāṇḍe aṣṭādaśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | kharasya bhaginī sā: Khara's, sister, she who is | bhaya moha mūrcitā: by fear's, fluster, convulsed | śoṇita ukṣitā: by blood, wetted | vanam āgatam: to forest, arrived | sa bhāryam: with, wife | sa lakṣmaṇam rāghavam: with Lakshmana, about Raghava | ātmani virūpaṇam ca: of her, misshaping, also | sarvam śaśamsa: all, reported. |

TRANSLATION

Then that sister of Khara who is convulsed in the fluster of fear and her body wetted with blood reported to her brother Khara, all about Rama's arrival in forest with his wife and Lakshmana, and even about his misshaping her. [3-18-26]