Chapter 51
Aranya Kanda - Book Of Forest
इति उक्तः क्रोध ताम्राक्षः तप्त कांचन कुण्डलः
राक्षसेन्द्रो अभिदुद्राव पतगेन्द्रम् अमर्षणः
iti uktaḥ krodha tāmrākṣaḥ tapta kāṃcana kuṇḍalaḥ
rākṣasendro abhidudrāva patagendram amarṣaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
When Ravana is spoken to by Jataayu with judicious words, Ravana's eyes reddened infuriately, and his burnished golden ear-knobs flickered injuriously, and that lord of demons dashed towards the lord of birds, intolerantly. [3-51-1]
PURPORT
स संप्रहारः तुमुलः तयोः तस्मिन् महा मृधे
बभूव वात उद्धतयोः मेघयोः गगने यथा
sa saṃprahāraḥ tumulaḥ tayoḥ tasmin mahā mṛdhe
babhūva vāta uddhatayoḥ meghayoḥ gagane yathā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
As with two gigantic clouds up-heaved by the tornadic gusts will be hard hitting each other tempestuously in sky, the combat between those two, Ravana and Jataayu, became tempestuous in the sky. [3-51-2]
तत् बभूव अद्भुतम् युद्धम् गृध्र राक्षसयोः तदा
सपक्षयोः माल्यवतोः महा पर्वतयोः इव
tat babhūva adbhutam yuddham gṛdhra rākṣasayoḥ tadā
sapakṣayoḥ mālyavatoḥ mahā parvatayoḥ iva
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
As with a startling combat between two gigantic and winged mountains, called Mt. Maalyavanta-s, that combat between the eagle and demon then became a startling one. [3-51-3]
PURPORT
ततो नालीक नाराचैः तीक्ष्ण अग्रैः च विकर्णिभिः
अभ्यवर्षत् महाघोरैः गृध्र राजम् महाबलः
tato nālīka nārācaiḥ tīkṣṇa agraiḥ ca vikarṇibhiḥ
abhyavarṣat mahāghoraiḥ gṛdhra rājam mahābalaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then the great-mighty Ravana incessantly stormed the lord of eagles Jataayu, with arrows that have excruciating and highly dreadful arrowheads, like tubular arrows, iron arrows, and with arrows that have crescentic arrowheads. [3-51-4]
स तानि शर जालानि गृध्रः पत्ररथ ईश्वरः
जटायुः प्रतिजग्राह रावण अस्त्राणि संयुगे
sa tāni śara jālāni gṛdhraḥ patraratha īśvaraḥ
jaṭāyuḥ pratijagrāha rāvaṇa astrāṇi saṃyuge
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That eagle Jataayu who is the lord of winged-chariots, namely birds, in turn sustained those arrays of Ravana's arrows in that combat. [3-51-5]
तस्य तीक्ष्ण नखाभ्याम् तु चरणाभ्याम् महाबलः
चकार बहुधा गात्रे व्रणान् पतग सत्तमः
tasya tīkṣṇa nakhābhyām tu caraṇābhyām mahābalaḥ
cakāra bahudhā gātre vraṇān pataga sattamaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
But that great-mighty Jataayu severally made gashes on the body of Ravana with his two feet that have gashing claws for that bird is with best stamina. [3-51-6]
अथ क्रोधात् दशग्रीवः जग्राह दश मार्गणान्
मृत्यु दण्ड निभान् घोरान् शत्रोर् निधन कान्क्षया
atha krodhāt daśagrīvaḥ jagrāha daśa mārgaṇān
mṛtyu daṇḍa nibhān ghorān śatror nidhana kānkṣayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Now the Decahedral demon Ravana infuriately took up ten deadly arrows that are similar in their shine to the Shafts of the Terminator, wishful of the elimination of his enemy. [3-51-7]
स तैः बाणैः महावीर्यः पूर्ण मुक्तैः अजिह्म गैः
बिभेद निशितैः तीक्ष्णैः गृध्रम् घोरैः शिली
मुखैः
sa taiḥ bāṇaiḥ mahāvīryaḥ pūrṇa muktaiḥ ajihma gaiḥ
bibheda niśitaiḥ tīkṣṇaiḥ gṛdhram ghoraiḥ śilī
mukhaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That highly energetic Ravana released and impaled the eagle with straight shooting arrows on fully stretching the bowstring up to his ear, whose steel-pointed arrowheads are sharp, hurtful, and deadly. [3-51-8]
स राक्षस रथे पश्यन् जानकीम् बाष्प लोचनाम्
अचिंतयित्वा बाणाम् तान् राक्षसम् समभिद्रवत्
sa rākṣasa rathe paśyan jānakīm bāṣpa locanām
aciṃtayitvā bāṇām tān rākṣasam samabhidravat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That Jataayu on seeing teary-eyed Jaanaki in the chariot of the demon forcefully lunged towards that demon heedless of arrows that are lunging at him. [3-51-9]
ततो अस्य सशरम् चापम् मुक्ता मणि विभूषितम्
चरणाभ्याम् महातेजा बभंज पतगोत्तमः
tato asya saśaram cāpam muktā maṇi vibhūṣitam
caraṇābhyām mahātejā babhaṃja patagottamaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That unexcelled bird of high refulgence then shattered Ravana's bow which is decorated with pearls and gemstones, and on which an arrow is admitted targeting the eagle, just by the pair of his bare feet. [3-51-10]
ततो अन्यत् धनुः आदाय रावणः क्रोध मूर्च्छितः
ववर्ष शर वर्षाणि शतशो अथ सहस्रशः
tato anyat dhanuḥ ādāya rāvaṇaḥ krodha mūrcchitaḥ
vavarṣa śara varṣāṇi śataśo atha sahasraśaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Ravana convulsed in anger then took up another bow and stormed hundreds and thousands of arrow storms. [3-51-11]
शरैः आवारितः तस्य संयुगे पतगेश्वरः
कुलायम् अभिसंप्राप्तः पक्षिः इव बभौ तदा
śaraiḥ āvāritaḥ tasya saṃyuge patageśvaraḥ
kulāyam abhisaṃprāptaḥ pakṣiḥ iva babhau tadā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Nested in the arrows shot by Ravana that lordly bird Jataayu then shone forth in that combat like a bird that obtains a readymade nest. [3-51-12]
स तानि शर जालानि पक्षाभ्याम् तु विधूय ह
चरणाभ्याम् महातेजा बभंज अस्य महत् धनुः
sa tāni śara jālāni pakṣābhyām tu vidhūya ha
caraṇābhyām mahātejā babhaṃja asya mahat dhanuḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
On winnowing those arrays of arrows with both of his wings, he that highly refulgent Jataayu shattered the mighty bow of Ravana with both of his feet. [3-51-13]
तत् च अग्नि सदृशम् दीप्तम् रावणस्य शरावरम्
पक्षाभ्याम् च महातेजा व्यधुनोत् पतगेश्वरः
tat ca agni sadṛśam dīptam rāvaṇasya śarāvaram
pakṣābhyām ca mahātejā vyadhunot patageśvaraḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That highly resplendent lord of birds also blasted off the armour of Ravana, which is glowing and flamelike in its flare, with both of his feet. [3-51-14]
PURPORT
कांचन उरः छदान् दिव्यान् पिशाच वदनान् खरान्
तान् च अस्य जव संपन्नान् जघान समरे बली
kāṃcana uraḥ chadān divyān piśāca vadanān kharān
tān ca asya java saṃpannān jaghāna samare balī
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Mighty Jataayu also knocked off the ghost-faced mules yoked to the chariot of Ravana which are covered in golden armours and tantivy in fastness. [3-51-15]
अथ त्रिवेणु संपन्नम् कामगम् पावक अर्चिषम्
मणि सोपान चित्र अंगम् बभंज च महारथम्
atha triveṇu saṃpannam kāmagam pāvaka arciṣam
maṇi sopāna citra aṃgam babhaṃja ca mahāratham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then that great-chariot which is flourishing with three bamboos from chassis to yoke, and which traverses just by its steersman's wish, and which is crafted fantastically with gem-studded body and stairs, or, whose wheels are crafted with gold and gemstones, and which in its flare is like a Ritual-fire, Jataayu splintered down even that chariot of Ravana. [3-51-16]
पूर्ण चन्द्र प्रतीकाशम् छत्रम् च व्यजनैः सह
पातयामास वेगेन ग्राहिभी राक्षसैः सह
pūrṇa candra pratīkāśam chatram ca vyajanaiḥ saha
pātayāmāsa vegena grāhibhī rākṣasaiḥ saha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Jataayu swiftly collapsed the parasol of Ravana which in shine is mirroring the full moon, along with the regalia of white-royal-fur-fans, together with the demons handling them for fanning Ravana. [3-51-17]
सारथेः च अस्य वेगेन तुण्डेन च महत् शिरः
पुनः व्यपाहरत् श्रीमान् पक्षिराजो महाबलः
sāratheḥ ca asya vegena tuṇḍena ca mahat śiraḥ
punaḥ vyapāharat śrīmān pakṣirājo mahābalaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Again that highly energetic and imposing king of birds pecked off the robust head of the charioteer of Ravana with beak. [3-51-18]
स भग्न धन्वा विरथो हत अश्वो हत सारथिः
अंकेन आदाय वैदेहीम् पपात भुवि रावणः
sa bhagna dhanvā viratho hata aśvo hata sārathiḥ
aṃkena ādāya vaidehīm papāta bhuvi rāvaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Now Ravana who is with his devastated bow, devoid of chariot, dispatched are his horses and departed is his charioteer, and such as he is, he on grabbing Vaidehi by her torso, or, placing her on the lower end of his torso, jumped to earth. [3-51-19]
PURPORT
दृष्ट्वा निपतितम् भूमौ रावणम् भग्न वाहनम्
साधु साधु इति भूतानि गृध्र राजम् अपूजयन्
dṛṣṭvā nipatitam bhūmau rāvaṇam bhagna vāhanam
sādhu sādhu iti bhūtāni gṛdhra rājam apūjayan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
On seeing Ravana who is foundered onto earth from his crumbled vehicle, all beings like sylvan deities, caarana-s, siddha-s and suchlike, reverenced that lordly eagle Jataayu. [3-51-20]
परिश्रान्तम् तु तम् दृष्ट्वा जरया पक्षि यूथपम्
उत्पपात पुनर् हृष्टो मैथिलीम् गृह्य रावणः
pariśrāntam tu tam dṛṣṭvā jarayā pakṣi yūthapam
utpapāta punar hṛṣṭo maithilīm gṛhya rāvaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
But on seeing the commandant of birds Jataayu is fatigued owing to his senescence, Ravana is gladdened and he again rose up to skies taking Maithili. [3-51-21]
तम् प्रहृष्टम् निधाय अंके रावणम् जनक आत्मजाम्
गच्छंतम् खड्ग शेषम् च प्रणष्ट हत साधनम्
tam prahṛṣṭam nidhāya aṃke rāvaṇam janaka ātmajām
gacchaṃtam khaḍga śeṣam ca praṇaṣṭa hata sādhanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The highly resplendent king of eagles Jataayu swiftly rose to sky dashing practically to forestall Ravana, which demon's assault devices are all demolished by now save for a single sword, but who is cheerful to spirit away the daughter of Janaka, and actually spiriting away holding her onto his flank, and Jataayu spoke this to such Ravana. [3-51-22, 23]
वर्ज संस्पर्श बाणस्य भार्याम् रामस्य रावण
अल्प बुद्धे हरसि एनाम् वधाय खलु रक्षसाम्
varja saṃsparśa bāṇasya bhāryām rāmasya rāvaṇa
alpa buddhe harasi enām vadhāya khalu rakṣasām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"You mean-minded Ravana, you abduct her whose husband wields arrows that touch off like the Thunderbolt of Indra, and this spite of yours is definitely for the destruction of all the demons. [3-51-24]
स मित्र बन्धुः स अमात्यः स बलः स परिच्छदः
विष पानम् पिबसि एतत् पिपासित इव उदकम्
sa mitra bandhuḥ sa amātyaḥ sa balaḥ sa paricchadaḥ
viṣa pānam pibasi etat pipāsita iva udakam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"As one thirsteth drinketh water, you drinketh venomous drink along with your friends, relatives, ministers, armies, and with your accomplices, as this abduction of Seetha itself is squirrelling away dangerous poison. [3-51-25]
अनुबंधम् अजानंतः कर्मणाम् अविचक्षणाः
शीघ्रम् एव विनश्यन्ति यथा त्वम् विनशिष्यसि
anubaṃdham ajānaṃtaḥ karmaṇām avicakṣaṇāḥ
śīghram eva vinaśyanti yathā tvam vinaśiṣyasi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"As with the mindless adventurers quickly getting ruination for they undertake self-ruinous exploits, unknowing the backlashes thereof, so also you too will ruin that quickly with this mindless adventure. [3-51-26]
बद्धः त्वम् काल पाशेन क्व गतः तस्य मोक्ष्यसे
वधाय बडिशम् गृह्य स अमिषम् जलजो यथा
baddhaḥ tvam kāla pāśena kva gataḥ tasya mokṣyase
vadhāya baḍiśam gṛhya sa amiṣam jalajo yathā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"You are tethered for termination with the lasso of the Terminator, as with a fish that can go nowhere on its biting fishhook with a piece of flesh. How do you untether yourself from that lasso of the Terminator, even if you go anywhere? [3-51-27]
PURPORT
न हि जातु दुराधर्षौ काकुत्स्थौ तव रावण
धर्षणम् च आश्रमस्य अस्य क्षमिष्येते तु राघवौ
na hi jātu durādharṣau kākutsthau tava rāvaṇa
dharṣaṇam ca āśramasya asya kṣamiṣyete tu rāghavau
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"But, oh Ravana, the unassailable Raghava-s of Kakutstha dynasty will nevermore condone your assailing this hermitage. [3-51-28]
यथा त्वया कृतम् कर्म भीरुणा लोक गर्हितम्
तस्कर आचरितो मार्गो न एष वीर निषेवितः
yathā tvayā kṛtam karma bhīruṇā loka garhitam
taskara ācarito mārgo na eṣa vīra niṣevitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Like a dastard you are committing a crime of thieving Seetha when none at home in the footsteps of thieves, this thieving is contemptible to society and condemnable by valiant ones. [3-51-29]
युध्यस्व यदि शूरो असि मुहूर्तम् तिष्ठ रावण
शयिष्यसे हतो भूमौ यथा भ्राता खरः तथा
yudhyasva yadi śūro asi muhūrtam tiṣṭha rāvaṇa
śayiṣyase hato bhūmau yathā bhrātā kharaḥ tathā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Stay for a moment, oh, Ravana, if you are valiant enough you can combat with Rama who will return right away, and at his hand you will be slain and sprawling on earth in the same way as Khara sprawled earlier. [3-50-23]
PURPORT
परेत काले पुरुषो यत् कर्म प्रतिपद्यते
विनाशाय आत्मनो अधर्म्यम् प्रतिपन्नो असि कर्म तत्
pareta kāle puruṣo yat karma pratipadyate
vināśāya ātmano adharmyam pratipanno asi karma tat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A person undertakes such an unrighteous and fateful activity if only death looms large on him. You too have undertaken this unrighteous fateful activity only for your self-ruination. [3-51-31]
पाप अनुबंधो वै यस्य कर्मणः को नु तत् पुमान्
कुर्वीत लोक अधिपतिः स्वयंभूः भगवान् अपि
pāpa anubaṃdho vai yasya karmaṇaḥ ko nu tat pumān
kurvīta loka adhipatiḥ svayaṃbhūḥ bhagavān api
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"If sin is consequential to any given activity who will undertake it? Even if that person vies with the Self-Born God and Lord of the Universe, namely Brahma, will he undertake it?" Thus Jataayu advised Ravana. [3-51-32]
एवम् उक्त्वा शुभम् वाक्यम् जटायुः तस्य रक्षसः
निपपात भृशम् पृष्ठे दशग्रीवस्य वीर्यवान्
evam uktvā śubham vākyam jaṭāyuḥ tasya rakṣasaḥ
nipapāta bhṛśam pṛṣṭhe daśagrīvasya vīryavān
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Even on speaking those commonsensical words to Ravana, Jataayu found him carrying off Seetha heedlessly, then that valorous Jataayu descended on the hind-side of that Decahedral demon Ravana, devastatingly. [3-51-33]
तम् गृहीत्वा नखैः तीक्ष्णैः विददार समंततः
अधिरूढो गज आरोहो यथा स्यात् दुष्ट वारणम्
tam gṛhītvā nakhaiḥ tīkṣṇaiḥ vidadāra samaṃtataḥ
adhirūḍho gaja āroho yathā syāt duṣṭa vāraṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
On clasping Ravana with incisive claws Jataayu lacerated deeply and rampantly, as a mahout, an elephant-trainer-controller, sitting astride on it will try to control an uncontrollable elephant that is running amok with an incisive goad. [3-51-34]
विददार नखैः अस्य तुण्डम् पृष्ठे समर्पयन्
केशान् च उत्पाटयामास नख पक्ष मुख आयुधः
vidadāra nakhaiḥ asya tuṇḍam pṛṣṭhe samarpayan
keśān ca utpāṭayāmāsa nakha pakṣa mukha āyudhaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Weaponed only with his claws, wings, and beak, Jataayu not only tore the back of Ravana asunder applying his beak and claws, but started to tweeze even his hair. [3-51-35]
स तथा गृध्र राजेन क्लिश्यमानो मुहुर् मुहुः
अमर्ष स्फुरित ओष्ठः सन् प्राकंपत स राक्षसः
sa tathā gṛdhra rājena kliśyamāno muhur muhuḥ
amarṣa sphurita oṣṭhaḥ san prākaṃpata sa rākṣasaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
His lips becoming intolerantly quivery when Ravana is exasperated by that king of eagles repetitiously, that demon staggered on to his right targeting the hovering eagle at his hind-side to fell it down. [3-51-36]
संपरिष्वज्य वैदेहीम् वामेन अंकेन रावणः
तलेन अभिजघान आर्तो जटायुम् क्रोध मूर्चितः
saṃpariṣvajya vaidehīm vāmena aṃkena rāvaṇaḥ
talena abhijaghāna ārto jaṭāyum krodha mūrcitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Ravana who is aggrieved and convulsed in fury hit back Jataayu with his palm while firmly clutching Vaidehi onto his left flank. [3-51-37]
जटायुः तम् अतिक्रम्य तुण्डेन अस्य खग अधिपः
वाम बाहून् दश तदा व्यपाहरत् अरिन्दमः
jaṭāyuḥ tam atikramya tuṇḍena asya khaga adhipaḥ
vāma bāhūn daśa tadā vyapāharat arindamaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Jataayu, the lord of birds, being a vanquisher of enemies outstripped Ravana and ripped off ten left-arms of Ravana with his beak, with which left arms Ravana is clutching Vaidehi, in order to release her from his clutches. [3-51-38]
संच्छिन्न बाहोः सद्यो वै बाहवः सहसा अभवन्
विष ज्वालावली युक्ता वल्मीकत् इव पन्नगाः
saṃcchinna bāhoḥ sadyo vai bāhavaḥ sahasā abhavan
viṣa jvālāvalī yuktā valmīkat iva pannagāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Though his arms are mutilated thus, they instantaneously ricocheted from his body like snakes possessing a series of venomous blazes sprawling out from a snake pit. [3-51-39]
ततः क्रोद्धात् दशग्रीवः सीताम् उत्सृज्य वीर्यवान्
मुष्टिभ्याम् चरणाभ्याम् च गृध्र राजम् अपोथयत्
tataḥ kroddhāt daśagrīvaḥ sītām utsṛjya vīryavān
muṣṭibhyām caraṇābhyām ca gṛdhra rājam apothayat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The valorous Decahedron Ravana then threw off Seetha, and out of fury he scuffled with the king of eagles with fisticuffs and kicks, by both his feet and fists. [3-51-40]
ततो मुहूर्तम् संग्रामो बभूव अतुल वीर्ययोः
राक्षसानाम् च मुख्यस्य पक्षिणाम् प्रवरस्य च
tato muhūrtam saṃgrāmo babhūva atula vīryayoḥ
rākṣasānām ca mukhyasya pakṣiṇām pravarasya ca
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then there chanced an encounter for some time between those two valorous ones with mutually outweighing capabilities, namely the chieftain of demons and the chief of the birds. [3-51-41]
तस्य व्यायच्छमानस्य रामस्य अर्थे अथ रावणः
पक्षौ पादौ च पार्श्वौ च खड्गम् उद्धृत्य सो
अच्छिनत्
tasya vyāyacchamānasya rāmasya arthe atha rāvaṇaḥ
pakṣau pādau ca pārśvau ca khaḍgam uddhṛtya so
acchinat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Ravana brandishing his sword at Jataayu, who is revolting for the sake of Rama, hewed off both of his wings, sides, and feet. [3-51-42]
स छिन्न पक्षः सहसा रक्षसा रौद्र कर्मणा
निपपात महा गृध्रो धरण्याम् अल्प जीवितः
sa chinna pakṣaḥ sahasā rakṣasā raudra karmaṇā
nipapāta mahā gṛdhro dharaṇyām alpa jīvitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
When that demon of cruel actions has ruptured his wings that colossal eagle Jataayu immediately fell down to earth with a lessened life. [3-51-43]
तम् दृष्ट्वा पतितम् भूमौ क्षतज आर्द्रम् जटायुषम्
अभ्यधावत वैदेही स्व बंधुम् इव दुःखिता
tam dṛṣṭvā patitam bhūmau kṣataja ārdram jaṭāyuṣam
abhyadhāvata vaidehī sva baṃdhum iva duḥkhitā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
On seeing Jataayu fallen on earth and dampened with blood Vaidehi fell into a fit of weeping and ran towards him as if he is her own relative. [3-51-44]
तम् नील जीमूत निकाश कल्पम्
सुपाण्डुर उरस्कम् उदार वीर्यम्
ददर्श लंका अधिपतिः पृथिव्याम्
जटायुषम् शान्तम् इव अग्नि दावम्
tam nīla jīmūta nikāśa kalpam
supāṇḍura uraskam udāra vīryam
dadarśa laṃkā adhipatiḥ pṛthivyām
jaṭāyuṣam śāntam iva agni dāvam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Ravana, the monarch of Lanka, gazed at that worthily valorous Jataayu, who in his shine is like a blue-black cloud with a whitely white chest and who by now is like a quiescent fire-storm flattened onto ground. [3-51-45]
PURPORT
इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये अरण्य काण्डे एक पंचाशः सर्गः
iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye araṇya kāṇḍe eka paṃcāśaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
But then Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, whose face vies with moonshine hugged eagle Jataayu, whom Ravana has subjugated with his forcefulness and felled down onto the surface of earth, and she wept over incessantly. [3-51-46]
PURPORT
