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Chapter 55

Aranya Kanda - Book Of Forest

VERSE 1

संदिश्य राक्षसान् घोरान् रावणो अष्टौ महाबलान्
आत्मानम् बुद्धि वैक्लव्यात् कृत कृत्यम् अमन्यत

saṃdiśya rākṣasān ghorān rāvaṇo aṣṭau mahābalān
ātmānam buddhi vaiklavyāt kṛta kṛtyam amanyata

SYNONYMS

rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | mahā balān aṣṭau ghorān rākṣasān: great-mighty, eight, ghastly, demons | samdiśya: on directing | buddhi vaiklavyāt: by mind's, hypocrisy | ātmānam = himself: in heart of hearts | kṛta kṛtyam amanyata: accomplished, [a great] feat, deemed [amused.] |

TRANSLATION

On directing those eight ghastly demons Ravana is amused in his heart of hearts that he has accomplished a great feat. [3-55-1]

VERSE 2

स चिंतयानो वैदेहीम् काम बाण संप्रपीडितः
प्रविवेश गृहम् रम्यम् सीताम् द्रष्टुम् अभित्वरन्

sa ciṃtayāno vaidehīm kāma bāṇa saṃprapīḍitaḥ
praviveśa gṛham ramyam sītām draṣṭum abhitvaran

SYNONYMS

saḥ vaidehīm cintayānaḥ: he, upon Vaidehi [alone,] musing [continually] | kāma bāṇa sam pra pīḍitaḥ: by Love-god's, arrows, very, much, tormented | sītām draṣṭum abhi tvaran: at Seetha, to lay eyes on, post, hastily | ramyam gṛham praviveśa: beautiful, palace, he entered. |

TRANSLATION

On continually musing upon Vaidehi Ravana is tormented with the arrows of Love-god, thereby to lay eyes on Seetha he post-hastily entered the beautiful palace. [3-55-2]

VERSE 3

स प्रविश्य तु तत् वेश्म रावणो राक्षस अधिपः
अपश्यत् राक्षसी मध्ये सीताम् दुःख परायणम्

sa praviśya tu tat veśma rāvaṇo rākṣasa adhipaḥ
apaśyat rākṣasī madhye sītām duḥkha parāyaṇam

SYNONYMS

rākṣasa adhipaḥ saḥ rāvaṇaḥ: demons, supremo, he, that Ravana | tat veśma praviśya: that, house [palace-chamber,] on entering | rākṣasī madhye: demonesses, amongst | duḥkha parāyaṇam sītām: ruefulness, overwhelmed by, at Seetha | apaśyat: he beheld. |

TRANSLATION

On entering the palace-chamber that supremo of demons beheld Seetha overwhelmed with ruefulness amongst demonesses. [3-55-3]

VERSE 4

अश्रु पूर्ण मुखीम् दीनाम् शोक भार अवपीडिताम्
वायु वेगैः इव आक्रांताम् मज्जन्तीम् नावम् अर्णवे

aśru pūrṇa mukhīm dīnām śoka bhāra avapīḍitām
vāyu vegaiḥ iva ākrāṃtām majjantīm nāvam arṇave

SYNONYMS

, 5, 6| aśru pūrṇa mukhīm: tears, brimming over, visage | dīnām: pitiful [browbeaten] | śoka bhāra ava pīḍitām: bewailing, burthen, down, trodden | vāyu vegaiḥ: by air's, speed by whirlwinds | ākrāntām = routed: spreadeagled | arṇave: in ocean | majjantīm nāvam iva: about to sink [about to capsize,] boat, who is alike | mṛga yūtha pari bhraṣṭām: impala, herd, altogether, swerved from | śvabhiḥ āvṛtām: by dog-wolves, hemmed in | mṛgīm iva: an impala, alike | adhaḥ gata mukhīm: down, gone [cast,] faced | tām sītām: towards her, [to such a] Seetha | niśā caraḥ: night, walker | abhi etya: nigh, came | śoka vaśāt dīnām: of sorrow, by shackles, pitiable one [Seetha] | a vaśām: not, in her own control | tām: her [to her] | saḥ rākṣasa adhipaḥ: he, that demons', supremo | balāt: forcefully, compellingly | deva gṛha upamam: god's, palace, [paradisiacal palace,] similar to | gṛham: [his] palace | darśayāmāsa: started to show. |

TRANSLATION

She whose visage is brimming over with tears, one browbeaten and downtrodden with the burden of bewail, one capsized like a boat that is about to capsize in an ocean spreadeagled with whirlwinds, and one alike an impala altogether swerved from its herd of impala yet hemmed in with dog-wolves, that nightwalker came nigh of such a Seetha whose face is downcast unwilling to see any, and to such a pitiable Seetha who is in the shackles of her sorrow, that supremo of demons compellingly started to show his palace which is similar to any paradisiacal palace. [3-55-4, 5, 6]

PURPORT

Then he must have hauled her by her hand or demonesses must have dragged all along the corridors, chambers and all over, or as usual, he must have carried her on his flank to show his palace. Taking this situation and the statement at verse 1, aatmaanam buddhi vaiklavyaat Rama Tilaka negates the idea that Seetha is brought to Lanka as a much cherished Goddess Lakshmi, but her bringing is only with a villainous intent. Even then, the supporters of Ravana - the devotee - disagree. There are many such slants given to Ravana's dialogs, to portray him as a devotee, in this chapter itself.
VERSE 7

हर्म्य प्रासाद संबधम् स्त्री सहस्र निषेवितम्
नाना पक्षि गणैः जुष्टम् नाना रत्न समन्वितम्

harmya prāsāda saṃbadham strī sahasra niṣevitam
nānā pakṣi gaṇaiḥ juṣṭam nānā ratna samanvitam

SYNONYMS

, 8, 9a| [nānā ] harmya prāsāda sambadham: with [innumerable] skyscrapers, cupolaed, congestive | strī sahasra niṣevitam: females, thousands, adored by | nānā pakṣi gaṇaiḥ juṣṭam: diverse, bird, bevies, frequented by | nānā ratna samanvitam: numerous, gemstones, comprised of | [tat deva gṛha upamam gṛham daśagrrivasya: that paradisiacal palace like mansion house of Decahedral Ravana | ] dāntakaiḥ: with ivory-work | tāpanīyaiḥ ca: gilt-work, also | sphāṭikai rājataiḥ api: with quartz-work, silvern-work, even | tathā: likewise | vajra vaidūrya: with diamond, lapis works | citraiḥ [ citritaiḥ ] ca: amazingly, [ellipt. glided, gild the lily type] also | dṛṣṭi manaḥ ramaiḥ: for a look, for hearts, pleasing | stambhaiḥ: with pillars | divya dundubhi nirghoṣam: with divine, drums', drumbeats | tapta kāncana: molten [pure,] gold | bhūṣaṇam [or, toraṇam]: adorned by, [having archways] |

TRANSLATION

That paradisiacal mansion house of Decahedral Ravana is congestive with innumerable cupolaed skyscrapers, adored with thousands of females, frequented by diverse bevies of birds, and it comprised of numerous gemstones. The pillars are amazingly gilded with engraving of ivory, gilt, quartz, silvern linocuts, and they are even embossed with diamonds and with lapis gems, which are heart-pleasing for a look. The drumbeats of divine drums are echoing in entire palace, and its archways are adorned with the gildings of pure gold. [3-55-7, 8, 9a]

VERSE 9

सोपानम् कांचनम् चित्रम् आरुरोह तया सह

sopānam kāṃcanam citram āruroha tayā saha

SYNONYMS

b, 10| kāncanam citram sopānam: wonderful, golden, staircase | tayā saha āruroha: her [Seetha,] along with, [Ravana] walked up | tatra: there | dāntakā rājatāḥ caiva: ivoried, silvered, also thus | priya darśanāḥ gavākṣāḥ: amusing, for sight, windows | hema jālā āvṛtāḥ ca: golden, nets [window-blinds,] covered with, also | prāsāda panktayaḥ: skyscraper, rows of[ aasan = are there. |

TRANSLATION

Ravana walked up the wonderful golden staircase along with Seetha, and the rows of skyscrapers with windows that are ivoried and silvered and with window-blinds are seen from the windows of the landing on that flight of stairs, which are also ivoried and silvered windows with window-blinds, and all are amusing for sight. [3-55-9b, 10]

PURPORT

Did she walk on her own or was she dragged on the flight of stairs? Yes! She had to walk up the staircase after Ravana, but defiantly and straggly.
VERSE 11

सुधा मणि विचित्राणि भूमि भागानि सर्वशः
दशग्रीवः स्व भवने प्रादर्शयत मैथिलीम्

sudhā maṇi vicitrāṇi bhūmi bhāgāni sarvaśaḥ
daśagrīvaḥ sva bhavane prādarśayata maithilīm

SYNONYMS

daśagrīvaḥ: Decahedral Ravana | sva bhavane: in his own, palace | sarvaśaḥ: all over | sudhā: white [whitewashed, or, white-marbled] maNi vicitraaNi = diamond [encrusted,] amazing | bhūmi bhāgāni = earth's, divisions [stories, multiple: multi-stories] | maithilīm prādarśayata: to Maithili, he displayed. |

TRANSLATION

That Decahedral Ravana displayed the multiple stories of his own palace which is all over white-marbled and diamond encrusted to Maithili. [3-55-11]

VERSE 12

दीर्घिकाः पुष्करिण्यः च नाना पुष्प समावृताः
रावणो दर्शयामास सीताम् शोक परायणाम्

dīrghikāḥ puṣkariṇyaḥ ca nānā puṣpa samāvṛtāḥ
rāvaṇo darśayāmāsa sītām śoka parāyaṇām

SYNONYMS

rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | dīrghikāḥ: wellsprings [descendible ones] | nānā puṣpa samāvṛtāḥ puṣkariṇyaḥ: diverse, flowers, overspread with, leisure pools | śoka parāyaṇām sītām: anguish, languishing under, to Seetha | darśayāmāsa: continued to display. |

TRANSLATION

Ravana continued to display the descendible wellsprings and leisure pools from which diverse flowers have sprung and overspread them, regardless of Seetha's languishing under her anguish. [3-55-12]

PURPORT

Has she seen all these riches of Ravana? Yes! She had seen, but in disdain and scorn. Refraining and desisting from allurement is possible only on seeing the objects of lure. And yielding to such an opulent demon or his opulence, just for the sake of carnality, is beyond the scope of Seetha's thinking according to her reply to Ravana, in next chapter 'all this affluence is going to be reduced to ashes...' keeping Rama in view as the reducing agent, for Hanuma, the actual reducer of this affluence, is yet an unknown entity.
VERSE 13

दर्शयित्वा तु वैदेहीम् कृत्स्नम् तत् भवन उत्तमम्
उवाच वाक्यम् पापात्मा सीताम् लोभितुम् इच्छया

darśayitvā tu vaidehīm kṛtsnam tat bhavana uttamam
uvāca vākyam pāpātmā sītām lobhitum icchayā

SYNONYMS

pāpātmā: dirty-minded one | kṛtsnam tat bhavana uttamam: entirely, that, palace, best one | vaidehīm darśayitvā: to Vaidehi, on flaunting siitaam icChayaa lobhitum = Seetha, by lust, in order to tempt | vākyam uvāca: sentence, spoke [to her.] |

TRANSLATION

On flaunting his best palace in its entirety to Vaidehi that dirty-minded Ravana spoke this sentence to Seetha in order that she may be tempted on her own, lustily. [3-55-13]

VERSE 14

दश राक्षस कोट्यः च द्वाविंशतिः अथ अपराः
वर्जयित्वा जरा वृद्धान् बालान् च रजनीचरान्

daśa rākṣasa koṭyaḥ ca dvāviṃśatiḥ atha aparāḥ
varjayitvā jarā vṛddhān bālān ca rajanīcarān

SYNONYMS

, 15a| sīte: oh, Seetha | jarā vṛddhān bālān ca: weakish, oldish, youngish, also | varjayitvā: omitting | daśa: ten | rākṣasa koṭyaḥ = for demons, , crores of: for ten crores of demons are there | atha aparāḥ = then, further: furthermore | dvā vimśatiḥ = tvo, tventy [tventy: two crores are there - total ten twenty two = thirty three crores of demons are there] | bhīma karmaṇām rajanīcarān: of ghastly, exploits, night walkers | teṣām = for them: demons | sarveṣām: for all of them | aham prabhuḥ: I am, the lord. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Seetha, ten crores of first-rated demons are there, furthermore, twenty-two crores of demons of ghastly exploits are there, thus all put together, three hundred twenty millions of demons are there in Lanka, omitting the weakish, oldish, youngish demons. For all of them I am the lord." Thus Ravana started his self-eulogy. [3-55-14, 15a]

VERSE 15

सहस्रम् एकम् एकस्य मम कार्य पुरःसरम्

sahasram ekam ekasya mama kārya puraḥsaram

SYNONYMS

b, 16| ekasya: for [every] single [work of mine] | mama: of mine | ekam sahasram: one, thousand [servitors] | kārya puraḥsaram = vork, vill be ahead of: will rush in | yat idam rājya tantram: which, this, sovereignty's, suzerainty is there | sarvam jīvitam ca: entire, life, also [of mine] | tvayi pratiṣṭhitam = in you, is pledged: a thing given as a token of love, favour, or something to come | viśālākṣi: oh, broad-eyed one | tvam me prāṇaiḥ garīyasī: you are, to me, by lives, loftier. |

TRANSLATION

"For every single work of mine a thousand servitors will rush in. Such as I am I pledge entire life of mine along with the suzerainty of this sovereign city-state Lanka to you, oh, broad-eyed lady, for you are loftier than my lives. [3-55-15b, 16]

VERSE 17

बह्वीनाम् उत्तम स्त्रीणाम् मम यो असौ परिग्रहः
तासाम् त्वम् ईश्वरी सीते मम भार्या भव प्रिये

bahvīnām uttama strīṇām mama yo asau parigrahaḥ
tāsām tvam īśvarī sīte mama bhāryā bhava priye

SYNONYMS

sīte: oh, Seetha | bahvīnām uttama strīṇām: for countless, of finest [fabric,] females | yaḥ asau parigrahaḥ: which, this, capturing, [or, marrying, or amassing] | is there: to those that are collected by me | tāsām: for them | tvam īśvarī bhava: you, empress, become | priye: oh, dear | mama bhāryā bhava [yadi bhavati cet]: mine, wife, you become [if only you become.] |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Seetha, you will become an empress for all of the those countless females of finest fabric amassed by me, oh, dear, if only you marry me. [3-55-17]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: Ravana the devotee is saying: 'oh, Seetha... you become my empress and lord over me and all of my wives that are amassed by me... for, You are the most adorable Goddess Lakshmi, and now though appearing in a gross form of Seetha, you are the real Subtlety, Goddess Lakshmi... bhaaryaa; bhaa= cidruupiNii = oh, Subtlety; aaryaa = oh, adorable one; a+bhava = oh, Redeemer; priye = most adorable Goddess Lakshmi.'
VERSE 18

साधु किम् ते अन्यया बुद्ध्या रोचयस्व वचो मम
भजस्व मा अभितप्तस्य प्रसादम् कर्तुम् अर्हसि

sādhu kim te anyayā buddhyā rocayasva vaco mama
bhajasva mā abhitaptasya prasādam kartum arhasi

SYNONYMS

te: to you | anyayā buddhyā kim: by converse, thinking, what [is the use] | sādhu: amiably | mama vacaḥ rocayasva: my, words, be keen on | [kāma ] abhitaptasya bhajasva: [in desire,] one who is burning with | mām: to me | prasādam kartum arhasi: compassion, to do [to show,] apt of you. |

TRANSLATION

"You be keen on my amiable words and it will be apt of you to show compassion on me, for I have burning desire for you, and of what use is your thinking conversely about that long-lost Rama? [3-55-18]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: The word kaama is ellipted here as it appears in other mms. Then it is said ' kaama 'desirous... I have the burning desire of regaining my servitude at your door...' thus maam bhajasva 'me, you accept accordingly...'
VERSE 19

परिक्षिप्ता समुद्रेण लंका इयम् शत योजना
न इयम् धर्षयितुम् शक्या स इन्द्रैः अपि सुर असुरैः

parikṣiptā samudreṇa laṃkā iyam śata yojanā
na iyam dharṣayitum śakyā sa indraiḥ api sura asuraiḥ

SYNONYMS

śata yojana: with hundred, yojana-s [widthwise] | iyam lankā: this, Lanka | samudreṇa parikṣiptā: by ocean, roundly enshrouded | sa indraiḥ: along with, by Indra | sura asuraiḥ api: for gods, demons, even | iyam dharṣayitum: this, to assail | na śakyā: not, [Lanka] possible. |

TRANSLATION

"It is impossible to assail this Lanka even for Indra with all of the gods and demons, as an ocean roundly enshrouds this Lanka which is hundred-yojana-s witdthwise. [3-55-19]

VERSE 20

न देवेषु न यक्षेषु न गंधर्वेषु न ऋषिषु
अहम् पश्यामि लोकेषु यो मे वीर्य समो भवेत्

na deveṣu na yakṣeṣu na gaṃdharveṣu na ṛṣiṣu
aham paśyāmi lokeṣu yo me vīrya samo bhavet

SYNONYMS

lokeṣu: in world | yaḥ me vīrya samaḥ: he who, mine, vitality, equal [matchable to] | bhavet: is there | aham: I | deveṣu na paśyāmi: among gods, not, seeing | yakṣeṣu na: among yaksha-s, no | gandharveṣu na: among gandharva-s, no | ṛṣiṣu na: among sage, no. |

TRANSLATION

"I behold none matchable to my vitality is existent among gods; among yaksha-s - no; among gandharva-s - no; among sages - no, nor anyone in any world. [3-55-20]

VERSE 21

राज्य भ्रष्टेन दीनेन तापसेन पदातिना
किम् करिष्यसि रामेण मानुषेण अल्प तेजसा

rājya bhraṣṭena dīnena tāpasena padātinā
kim kariṣyasi rāmeṇa mānuṣeṇa alpa tejasā

SYNONYMS

rājya bhraṣṭena: with [the one who is] from kingdom, overthrown [dethroned] | dīnena: hapless | mānuṣeṇa: with human | [in other mms: gata āyuṣā = gone, lives: with diminished lifespan | ] alpa tejasā: of littlest, vitality | tāpasena: a seer | padātinā: vagrant | rāmeṇa: with [such] Rama | kim kariṣyasi = vhat, you do: you achieve. |

TRANSLATION

"What can you achieve with that dethroned, hapless, seer, vagrant Rama who is short-lived, for after all, he is a human with littlest vitality? [3-55-21]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: Ravana, the devotee is saying: 'Why this wasteful lamenting about an un-lamentable entity, called Rama, for he is raajya bhraSTa yena 'by whom enemies are dethroned...' raajyaat bhrSTaa ripavo yasmaat tena and take this as one word diinenataapasenagataayuSaa by which I mean... diina ina taapasa ina gata aayuSaa where ina means 'lord...' thus a lord of hapless, a lord for seers, and maanuSeNa gataayuSaa whereby 'for a man who gained longevity...' that is ekaa dasha sahasra samvatsara parimita aayuSa yena gataH - praaptaH, saH 'one who has achieved eleven thousands years of age in human incarnation...' in which he has to lord over and save the saints, sages, seers and such hapless lot...' and alpa tejasaa by which I mean alpam itareSaam teejo yasmaat tena 'by whom others' resplendency is dwindled and lessened, just by his own resplendence... about such raameNa kim? Why you bother about such Rama, since he is parama puruSa the Supreme Person?
VERSE 22

भजस्व सीते माम् एव भर्ता अहम् सदृशः तव
यौवनम् हि अध्रुवम् भीरु रमस्व इह मया सह

bhajasva sīte mām eva bhartā aham sadṛśaḥ tava
yauvanam hi adhruvam bhīru ramasva iha mayā saha

SYNONYMS

sīte: oh, Seetha | mām eva bhajasva: me, only, apotheosise | aham tava sadṛśaḥ bhartā: I am, your, seemliest, husband | bhīru: oh, jumpy lady | yauvanam a dhruvam hi: primeness, not, permanent, indeed | iha mayā saha ramasva: here, me, along with, delight. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Seetha, you apotheosise me only for I am your seemliest husband, oh, jumpy lady, indeed, primeness has impermanence, thus here you be blithesome with me. [3-55-22]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: Ravana, the devotee is saying, me yauvanam 'my lifespan...' where the word yauvana indicates total lifespan from childhood, to young age, to old age... 'Thereby the total lifespan of mine is a + dhruvam 'impermanent...' life itself is impermanent... and with elliptic yataH 'whereby...' aham tava sadR^ishaH 'I am your seemliest... bhartaa; bibharti shushruuSa aadinaa svaaminam iti bharta= sevakaH 'a servant...' and with elliptic ataH 'thereby...' maa bhajava 'me alone, you deify, as un-godly beings cannot be in the service of Goddess Lakshmi... take me as your servant...' maameva= maa ava 'me, deliver... accord deliverance...' for that you stay here in Lanka maya saha which cleaves like maa= lakshmi, raajya lakshmi 'with Fortune of Kingdom...' saha 'along with...' ramasva 'you grace us...' 'Whereby my lifespan is impermanent to adore you, thereby you deify me from this accursed being to be in your service constantly... for which I am the seemliest servant of yours... for that you stay in Lanka and grace me and this Fortune of Kingdom, till the arrival of Rama, and then accord deliverance through Rama...
VERSE 23

दर्शने मा कृथाः बुद्धिम् राघवस्य वरानने
का अस्य शक्तिः इह आगंतुम् अपि सीते मनोरथैः

darśane mā kṛthāḥ buddhim rāghavasya varānane
kā asya śaktiḥ iha āgaṃtum api sīte manorathaiḥ

SYNONYMS

vara ānane: oh, beautifully, visaged lady | rāghavasya darśane: of Raghava, to see | buddhim mā kṛthāḥ: mind, do not, do [do not half a half mind, needless to think] | sīte: oh, Seetha | asya manaḥ rathaiḥ api = by his, thought [vits,] by cariot, even: even by his thinking he cannot come here | iha āgantum: here, to come | kā śaktiḥ: what is, calibre. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, beautifully visaged lady, it is needless to have half a mind to see that Raghava, oh, Seetha, even if his wits chariot him what is his calibre to come thither crossing an un-crossable ocean? [3-55-23]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: Rama is living by his own wits and wisdom to come to Lanka, and his chariot called heart, is ambitiously steered by that chariot's horses, called the five senses of Rama, towards Lanka alone all through this incarnation. And bechanced is that time and opportunity, thus he has to come here, hence oh, Seetha, you needn't worry...
VERSE 24

न शक्यो वायुः आकाशे पाशैः बद्धम् महाजवः
दीप्यमानस्य वा अपि अग्नेः ग्रहीतुम् विमलाम् शिखाम्

na śakyo vāyuḥ ākāśe pāśaiḥ baddham mahājavaḥ
dīpyamānasya vā api agneḥ grahītum vimalām śikhām

SYNONYMS

mahā javaḥ vāyuḥ: gusty, cyclonic, currents of air | ākāśe pāśaiḥ baddham: in mid air, with ropes, to knot | na śakyaḥ: not, possible | dīpyamānasya agneḥ: irradiant, fire's | vimalām śikhām: unmarred [radiative,] tongues [of fire] | grahītum api vā: even, or [more so,] to lay hold of | [na śakyaḥ: not practicable.] |

TRANSLATION

"It is impossible to knot the currents of cyclonic gusts in mid air, more so, it is impracticable to lay hold on the tongues of radiately irradiant fire. [3-55-24]

VERSE 25

त्रयाणाम् अपि लोकानाम् न तम् पश्यामि शोभने
विक्रमेण नयेत् यः त्वाम् मत् बाहु परिपालिताम्

trayāṇām api lokānām na tam paśyāmi śobhane
vikrameṇa nayet yaḥ tvām mat bāhu paripālitām

SYNONYMS

śobhane: oh, benefactress of bliss | trayāṇām lokānām api: threefold, in worlds, even | yaḥ: he [who can] | mat bāhu paripālitām tvām: by my, [mighty] arms, fended off, you | vikrameṇa nayet: by [his] valour, lead [back] | tam na paśyāmi: him, not, I envisage. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, benefactress of bliss, he who can lead you back with his valour, while you are being fended off by my mighty arms, him I do not envisage even in any one world of this threefold world. [3-55-25]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: 'Who can manaH rathaiH api wishfully iha aagantum enter this Lanka, and if tried, he becomes a straw in the gale or char in flame... hence tam na pashyaami I don't foresee anyone else... raamam vinaa, iti seSaH 'excepting Rama...' ellipted. Thus, Rama is scheduled to come here as we have our own dealings, hence maa kR^ithaaH buddhim darshane raamasya don't get perturbed at mind in not seeing Rama... he comes soon...'
VERSE 26

लंकायाम् सुमहत् राज्यम् इदम् त्वम् अनुपालय
त्वत् प्रेष्या मत् विधा चैव देवाः च अपि चर अचरम्

laṃkāyām sumahat rājyam idam tvam anupālaya
tvat preṣyā mat vidhā caiva devāḥ ca api cara acaram

SYNONYMS

tvam: you | lankāyām: of Lanka | su mahat: very, great one | idam rājyam: this, empire | anupālaya: you rule over | mat vidhā: me [and mine,] like | devāḥ caiva: gods, also thus | cara acaram = mobile, sessile: beings | tvat preṣyā = your, [royal] stevards: they will become. |

TRANSLATION

"You rule over this very great empire of Lanka as an empress of Lanka, while me and mine, also thus all gods like me who hitherto are under my rule, and all mobile and sessile entities of whom I am the ruler, they too will hereafter make ourselves useful as your royal stewards, if you marry me. [3-55-26]

PURPORT

From now on Ravana is dedicating whatever he has or acquired to his benefactress, Goddess Lakshmi. By saying madvidhaa 'me-like...' it is aatma samarpaNa self-dedication...' lankaayaam raajyam anu paalaya 'from Lanka you rule over...' this is aatmiiya samarpaNa 'selfless dedication...'
VERSE 27

अभिषेक उदक क्लिन्ना तुष्टा च रमयस्व माम्
दुष्कृतम् यत् पुरा कर्म वन वासेन तद् गतम्

abhiṣeka udaka klinnā tuṣṭā ca ramayasva mām
duṣkṛtam yat purā karma vana vāsena tad gatam

SYNONYMS

, 28a| abhiṣeka udaka klinnā: anointment, waters, wet by | tuṣṭā ca: be elated, also | mām ramayasva: me, you delight | purā = earlier: in bygone times | yat duṣkṛtam karma = vhic, misdealt, dīd: bad-luck | tat vana vāsena gatam: that, in forests, by dwelling, is bygone | te yat sukṛtaḥ dharmaḥ: your, which, well-done, dutiable [to become my empress] | tasya phalam iha āpnuhi: its [that deed's,] fruit, here, you secure. |

TRANSLATION

"Wet with the waters of anointment you be elated and then delight me. By your damnable dwelling in forests bygone is your bad-luck that you misdealt in bygone times. And what dutiable good deed is to be done by you in marrying me, you do that now, and secure the fruits of that good deed here by marrying me. [3-55-27, 28a]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: 'A damnable demon living in vana vaasena where vana is to betaken as waters, 'suchlike me living in an island surrounded by oceanic waters...' mayaa, iti sheSaH ellipted 'by me...' puraa yat duSkR^itam karma - kR^itam iti sheSaH 'earlier what sinful act...' ellipted 'was done...' tat= duSkarma; tava= mama iSTa devataa darshana maatreNa - gataH 'that sin - just by the chance of seeing my choicest deity Goddess Lakshmi - it has gone...' puraa maya sukR^ito yo dharmaH 'by which good deed I have done earlier...' tasya phalam 'its good results...' te - nivedayaami 'I surrender unto you... tat aapnuhi 'that you kindly accept...' 'As a damnable and islanded demon living amidst water surrounded island, what all the evil-acts done by me are evanished just by getting a glimpse of my choicest deity Goddess Lakshmi in you, thus I am absolved of all demerits... and any merit, if remnant with me by my performing some good deeds, intentionally or unintentionally, I surrender the fruits of all those merits even, unto to you... pray accept...'
VERSE 28

इह सर्वाणि माल्यानि दिव्य गंधानि मैथिलि

iha sarvāṇi mālyāni divya gaṃdhāni maithili

SYNONYMS

b, c| maithili: oh, Maithili | iha: here, in Lanka | divya gandhāni: divinely, fragranced | sarvāṇi mālyāni: all, garlands | mukhyāni bhūṣaṇāni ca: topmost, jewellery, also | tāni: them | mayā saha: me, with | seva = make use of: you dress up with them. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Maithili, here all the garlands are divinely fragranced and the jewellery is topmost, you will dress up with them along with me should you become my wife. [3-55-28b]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: A woman is attractable by embellishments and nothing is uncommon about it. A commonplace devotee offers just a leaf, or a mere fruit, or at least water to his deity as Bhagavad Gita said: phalam, puSpam, toyam 'a fruit, a leaf or water is enough to satisfy God...' since a mountainous God cannot be appeased with mountainy offerings. But here Ravana, the devotee wants to embellish his deity with divinely garlands and topmost jewellery... maya - samarpitaani iti sheSaH 'by me...' ellipted: 'offered...' saha= ekadaiva 'at least once...' sevasva 'accept them...' 'Touch my offerings at least for once... thereby I deem that I am graced by you...'
VERSE 29

पुष्पकम् नाम सुश्रोणि भ्रातुः वैश्रवणस्य मे

puṣpakam nāma suśroṇi bhrātuḥ vaiśravaṇasya me

SYNONYMS

b, 30a| suśroṇi: oh, well-waisted one | me bhrātuḥ vaiśravaṇasya: my, of brother, Vaishravana [Kubera's] | puṣpakam nāma: Pushpaka, known as | sūrya sankāśam vimānam: sun, similar in shine, aircraft | tarasā [mayā] nirjitam raṇe: by might, [by me,] notched up, in war. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, well-waisted lady, just by my might I notched up an aircraft known as Pushpaka from my brother Kubera in a war with him, which is similar sun in its shine. [3-55-29b. 30a]

VERSE 30

विशालम् रमणीयम् च तत् विमानम् मनो जवम्

viśālam ramaṇīyam ca tat vimānam mano javam

SYNONYMS

b, 31a| sīte: oh, Seetha | manaḥ javam: intuition, at speed of | tat vimānam: that, aircraft | ramaṇīyam ca: exhilarating, also | viśālam ca: expansive, also | tatra: in that | mayā sārdham: me, along with | yathā sukham viharasva: as per, [your] cheer [cheerfully,] you fly about. |

TRANSLATION

"That aircraft is expansive and exhilarating, also its speed is on par with intuition, oh, Seetha, in that you can cheerfully fly about along with me, should you marry me. [3-55-30b, 31a]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: 'That aircraft maya - samarpite - iti sheSaH when I dedicated that aircraft to you...' sa artham= sarva sampadbhiH 'with all other riches, besides this aircraft... viharasva 'you enjoy...' 'Apart from this aircraft, I denounce all the riches I gained in you... you enjoy the fruits of my action and release me...'
VERSE 31

वदनम् पद्म संकाशम् विमलम् चारु दर्शनम्

vadanam padma saṃkāśam vimalam cāru darśanam

SYNONYMS

b, 32a| varārohe: oh, curvaceous lady | vara ānane: oh, one with comely, countenance | padma sankāśam: lotus, similar in shine | vimalam: immaculate one | cāru darśanam: fairish, eyeful | vadanam: [your] visage | śoka ārtam: mushily, maudlin | na bhrājati: not, brightish. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, lady with a comely countenance, your visage is lotus similar in its shine, besides being immaculate, fairish and eyeful, but oh, curvaceous lady, with such a mushily maudlin of such a face this palace of mine is unbright, thus marry me to brighten everything" Thus Ravana spoke to Seetha. [3-55-31b, 32a]

VERSE 32

एवम् वदति तस्मिन् सा वस्त्र अन्तेन वर अंगना

evam vadati tasmin sā vastra antena vara aṃganā

SYNONYMS

b, 33a| tasmin evam vadati: by him [Ravana, thus, she is spoken | vara anganā sā sītā: graceful, lady, she, that Seetha | indu nibham: moon, similar | [mukham: face] | vastra antenna: cloth's, with fringe | pidhāya: covered [veiled,] Seetha | aśrūn [aśrūṇi] mandam avartayat: slowly [stiflingly,] tears, dispelled. |

TRANSLATION

While Ravana is speaking to her in this way that graceful lady Seetha veiled her moonier face with fringe of her sari, and stiflingly dispelled tears on that mooniest face behind her half-veil. [3-55-32b, 33a]

VERSE 33

ध्यायन्तीम् ताम् इव अस्वस्थाम् सीताम् चिंता हत प्रभाम्

dhyāyantīm tām iva asvasthām sītām ciṃtā hata prabhām

SYNONYMS

b, 34a| vīraḥ = valorous: resolute one [or paapaH = sinner] | rajanī caraḥ rāvaṇaḥ: night, walker, Ravana | dhyāyantīm iva = meditating [appearing to be pondering over,] as if: she appeared | asvasthām [an vasthām]: disconcerted | cintā hata prabhām: by anguish, marred, brilliance | tām sītām: to her, to Seetha | vacanam uvāca: words, said. |

TRANSLATION

To her who is disconcerted and whose anguish marred her brilliance and who is appearing as though pondering over the question of her submittal to Ravana, or otherwise, although she is meditating, to such a Seetha Ravana the nightwalker said these words. [3-55-33b, 34a]

PURPORT

She allowed him to prattle whatever he wished, but when it is aimed at her face, she had to veil it customarily to conceal the flood of sobbing tears, aversely. But Ravana, being a leech of lechery, amusedly thinks that she is bashful, thus silent, and because silence is 'half-agreeing', thus he furthers his leeching.
VERSE 34

अलम् व्रीडेन वैदेहि धर्म लोप कृतेन ते

alam vrīḍena vaidehi dharma lopa kṛtena te

SYNONYMS

b, 35a: vaidehi: oh, Vaidehi | dharma te lopa kṛtena: for scriptural canons, by you, detrimental, caused by | vrīḍena: embarrassment | alam: enough | yaḥ tvām abhigamiṣyati: which, to you, approaching [queen-hood] | ayam: that | devi: oh, empress | niṣyandaḥ: compatible | [or, daiva niṣyandaḥ: godly, connection, ordinance] | ārṣaḥ: [absolutely] traditional. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Vaidehi, enough is this embarrassment of yours presuming that your consorting with me is detrimental to scriptural canons, oh, empress, what that is approaching you in the form of queen-hood is absolutely compatible with the tradition. "Oh, Vaidehi, enough is this embarrassment of yours presuming that your consorting with me is detrimental to scriptural canons, what that is approaching you in the mode of queen-hood is ordained by gods and it is absolutely traditional. [3-55-34b, 35a]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: 'Enough is this embarrassment alam vriidena in the matter of 'served and servant..' ayam daiva niSSyandaH for this is preordained by gods... aarSaH 'age old, traditional, and perennial...' tvaam abhigamiSyati 'the same 'served and servant relation' is now approaching you... in this incarnation and nothing new about it, for this is preordained by gods, age old, perennial, and traditional, thus enough with your embarrassment... and accept me as your devotee...' Maheshvara Tiirtha. Much is commented on this verse and this verse itself is held controversial as the meaning for niSyandaH as 'connection...' is said to be ill defined. Further, some versions use differently as shown above. It is said that yet another ancient mms of Ramayana contains the same verse as: alam vriiDena vaidehi dharma taapa kR^itena ca | harSho ayam devi vispaShTo yaH tvaam upagamiShyati || where the first foot is almost the same and the second foot: harSo ayam devi vispaSTo yaH tvaam upagamiSyati which means devi oh, lady yaH harSaH which pleasure you are going to get with your queen-hood tvaam upagamiSyati to you approaching in the mode of queen-hood ayam harSaH vispaSTaH that pleasure is evident... 'Oh, Lady, which pleasure you are going to get as a queen, for that queen-hood is fast approaching you, that pleasure is evident... why then you presume that marrying me is anti-canonical, and thus be ashamed...' so said Ravana with a kind of epicurean philosophy. A woman who marries twice is called punarbhuH and these are of three kinds. And then there is another type called svairiNi. The first category are the women who leave off their first husbands and get married to another, thus become the first punarbhuH and the svairiNi is the kind of women who will not care customs but follow their own course of alliances. para puurvaaH striyaH tvat anyaaH sapta proktaa svayambhuvaa | punarbhuuH trividhaa taasaam tu svairiNii catur vidhaa || naarada Then Ravana is supposed to have argued with Seetha 'you become a punarbhuH or choose whatever kind of scriptural statement about the rules of remarriages, but marry me - Govindaraja. There is another kind of Indian marriage called raakshasa vivaaha loosely: 'demonical marriage...' i.e., abducting a girl with her consent and marrying secretly. But this way of raakshasa vivaaha 'marriage through abduction...' is admissible only to unmarried girls but not to the married women. Hence, the scriptural canons again cannot be satisfied. Therefore Ravana is said to have stated all this as an eyewash due to his tamo guNa praadhaanyata 'stupid contrivance of scripture with his stolidity of mind...' Maheshvara Tirtha 'If Ravana is stupid enough to distort scriptures how then can his - devotee-goddess relation - with Seetha can be established...' is the question of Rama Tilaka. Thus, it is concluded that Ravana's advances are only with a lecherous intent, contrary to what Maheshvara Tiirtha tried to establish Ravana as a devotee... Tilaka. In spite of all these debates and counter-debates of commentators - Ravana remained as a devotee of Seetha, namely Goddess Lakshmi, legendarily.
VERSE 35

एतौ पादौ मया स्निग्धौ शिरोभिः परिपीडितौ

etau pādau mayā snigdhau śirobhiḥ paripīḍitau

SYNONYMS

b, 36a: etau snigdhau pādau: these two, delicate, feet [of yours] | mayā śirobhiḥ paripīḍitau = by me, vith [ten] heads, let let hem be massaged: let them be touched | kṣipram prasādam kuru: readily, favour, you do | aham te vaśyaḥ = ī, to you, under control: subordinate | dāsaḥ asmi: servant, I am. |

TRANSLATION

"Let these two feet of yours be massaged by my ten heads, do me favour readily, for I am your subordinate and servant. [3-55-35b. 36a]

VERSE 36

इमाः शून्या मया वाचः शुष्यमाणेन भाषिताः

imāḥ śūnyā mayā vācaḥ śuṣyamāṇena bhāṣitāḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 36c: śuṣyamāṇena: being emptied [becoming hollow-hearted by lust] | mayā imāḥ: by me, these | śūnyāḥ vācaḥ bhāṣitāḥ: hollow, words, spoken | rāvaṇaḥ kāncit strīm: Ravana, whomsoever, to lady | mūrdhnā na ca api praṇameta ha: headlong, not [never,] also, even, supplicate, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"I with a lustful hollow-heart spoke all these hollow words that are unbefitting to my stature, indeed, Ravana will never supplicate headlong to whosoever woman. [3-55-36b, 36c]

PURPORT

Here the expression shunyaaH is held inconvenient to derive proper meaning and another ancient mms is said to have this as: na imaaH shuunyaaH kR^ithaa vaacaH shuSyamaaNena bhaaSitaaH where the wordage is shunnyamaanena emptied by lust...' imaaH vaacaH 'these words...' shuunyaaH 'empty...' na kR^ithaa 'do not make them...' 'Nullified by lust I spoke all these words... and you, on taking them as mere nullities, pray, do not nullify my lovelorn words...' Tiirtha calls this as rasaabhaasa 'desiring an undesirous woman of others, by hook or by crook.
VERSE 37

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये अरण्य काण्डे पंच पंचाशः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye araṇya kāṇḍe paṃca paṃcāśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

daśagrīvaḥ: Decahedral Ravana | janaka ātmajām maithilīm: Janaka's, daughter, to Maithili | evam uktvā: thus, having said | kṛtānta vaśam āpannaḥ: Terminator's, sway, on getting | iyam mama: she is, mine | iti manyate: thus, he deemed. |

TRANSLATION

That Decahedral Ravana on speaking thus to Maithili, who is the daughter of Janaka, deemed that 'she is mine,' as he has gone under the sway of the Terminator. [3-55-37]