Chapter 33
Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
सीताम् तु मोहिताम् दृष्ट्वा सरमा नाम राक्षसी
आससाद आशु वैदेहीम् प्रियाम् प्रणयिनी सखी
sītām tu mohitām dṛṣṭvā saramā nāma rākṣasī
āsasāda āśu vaidehīm priyām praṇayinī sakhī
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seeing the bewildered Seetha, a demon named Sarama*, an affectionate female companion then approached Seetha, her beloved Seetha, her beloved friend.
PURPORT
मोहिताम् राक्षसेन्द्रेण सीताम् परमदुःखिताम्
आश्वासयामास तदा सरमा मृदुभाषिणी
mohitām rākṣasendreṇa sītām paramaduḥkhitām
āśvāsayāmāsa tadā saramā mṛdubhāṣiṇī
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Sarama, the soft-spoken woman, consoled Seetha who having been infatuated by Ravana was very much in distress.
सा हि तत्र कृता मित्रम् सीतया रक्ष्यमाणया
रक्षन्ती रावणाद् इष्टा सानुक्रोशा दृढ व्रता
sā hi tatra kṛtā mitram sītayā rakṣyamāṇayā
rakṣantī rāvaṇād iṣṭā sānukrośā dṛḍha vratā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Sarma, who was assigned by Ravana to guard Seetha, was kind hearted and firm in austerity. She was indeed made a companion by Seetha, who was being protected by her there.
सा ददर्श सखीम् सीताम् सरमा नष्ट चेतनाम्
उपावृत्य उत्थिताम् ध्वस्ताम् वडवाम् इव पांसुषु
sā dadarśa sakhīm sītām saramā naṣṭa cetanām
upāvṛtya utthitām dhvastām vaḍavām iva pāṃsuṣu
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The affectionate Sarama found Seetha stupefied and just risen after rolling in the dust and soiled, resembling a female horse.
ताम् समाश्वासयाम् आस सखी स्नेहेन सुव्रता
उक्ता यद् रावणेन त्वम् प्रत्युक्तम् च स्वयम् त्वया
tām samāśvāsayām āsa sakhī snehena suvratā
uktā yad rāvaṇena tvam pratyuktam ca svayam tvayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Sarama consoled the very virtuous Seetha as follows "O, Seetha! Be comfortable! Do not get perturbed in your mind.
उक्ता यद्रावणेन त्वम् प्रत्युक्तश्च स्वयम् त्वया
सखी स्नेहेन तद् भीरु मया सर्वम् प्रतिश्रुतम्
uktā yadrāvaṇena tvam pratyuktaśca svayam tvayā
sakhī snehena tad bhīru mayā sarvam pratiśrutam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
timid woman! Because of my friendship with you, I overheard Ravana's words and all the words you have spoken in reply to him, by hiding nearby in a barren sky without fear. O, large eyed woman! I do not have any fear of Ravana, owing to my affection towards you".
स सम्भ्रान्तश च निष्क्रान्तो यत् कृते राक्षस अधिपः
तच् च मे विदितम् सर्वम् अभिनिष्क्रम्य मैथिलि
sa sambhrāntaśa ca niṣkrānto yat kṛte rākṣasa adhipaḥ
tac ca me viditam sarvam abhiniṣkramya maithili
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! Every thing was ascertained by me on the spot, after going out, about the reason for which Ravana has gone away agitated."
न शक्यम् सौप्तिकम् कर्तुम् रामस्य विदित आत्मनः
वधश्च पुरुष व्याघ्रे तस्मिन्न् एव उपपद्यते
na śakyam sauptikam kartum rāmasya vidita ātmanaḥ
vadhaśca puruṣa vyāghre tasminn eva upapadyate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is not possible to attack Rama, a man of self awareness, while he is asleep. Nay even killing him, the tiger among men, is well nigh impossible."
न च एव वानरा हन्तुम् शक्याः पादप योधिनः
सुरा देव ऋषभेण इव रामेण हि सुरक्षिताः
na ca eva vānarā hantum śakyāḥ pādapa yodhinaḥ
surā deva ṛṣabheṇa iva rāmeṇa hi surakṣitāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is not possible to kill in this manner even monkeys, who perform fighting with trees, in as much as they are fully protected by Rama, even as celestials are protected by Indra their lord"
दीर्घ वृत्त भुजह् श्रीमान् महा उरस्कह् प्रतापवान्
धन्वी सम्हनन उपेतो धर्म आत्मा भुवि विश्रुतः
dīrgha vṛtta bhujah śrīmān mahā uraskah pratāpavān
dhanvī samhanana upeto dharma ātmā bhuvi viśrutaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! Rama, who is endowed with long and well rounded arms, an illustrious man, who is large-chested, a man of great energy, an archer well known in the world, a man endowed with muscularity, a righteous minded man, a person of celebrity on earth, a man of eternal strength, a protector for himself and for others, while together with his brother Lakshmana, a man of high descent, a knower of doctrines of conduct and behavior, the killer of a stream of enemy forces, a man of inconceivable strength and valor, a venerable man and an annihilator of adversaries, has not been killed."
अयुक्त बुद्धि कृत्येन सर्व भूत विरोधिना
इयम् प्रयुक्ता रौद्रेण माया मायाविदा त्वयि
ayukta buddhi kṛtyena sarva bhūta virodhinā
iyam prayuktā raudreṇa māyā māyāvidā tvayi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A trickery has been hurled on you here by the cruel Ravana, a conjurer, who is perverse in thinking and action and an enemy of all beings."
शोकस् ते विगतः सर्वः कल्याणम् त्वाम् उपस्थितम्
ध्रुवम् त्वाम् भजते लक्ष्मीः प्रियम् प्रीति करम् शृणु
śokas te vigataḥ sarvaḥ kalyāṇam tvām upasthitam
dhruvam tvām bhajate lakṣmīḥ priyam prīti karam śṛṇu
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Your sorrow is (now) gone once for all. An all-pervading auspiciousness will await you. Accordingly prosperity will attend on you. Hear me."
उत्तीर्य सागरम् रामः सह वानर सेनया
सम्निविष्टः समुद्रस्य तीरम् आसाद्य दक्षिणम्
uttīrya sāgaram rāmaḥ saha vānara senayā
samniviṣṭaḥ samudrasya tīram āsādya dakṣiṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama, along with his army of monkeys, having crossed the ocean, reached its southern shore and is encamped there."
दृष्टो मे परिपूर्ण अर्थः काकुत्स्थः सह लक्ष्मणः
सहितैः सागर अन्तस्थैर् बलैस् तिष्ठति रक्षितः
dṛṣṭo me paripūrṇa arthaḥ kākutsthaḥ saha lakṣmaṇaḥ
sahitaiḥ sāgara antasthair balais tiṣṭhati rakṣitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama, who was along with fully meaningful Lakshmana, was perceived by me. He stands protected by the troops gathered together at the vicinity of the ocean."
अनेन प्रेषिता ये च राक्षसा लघु विक्रमः
राघवस् तीर्णैत्य् एवम् प्रवृत्तिस् तैर् इह आहृता
anena preṣitā ye ca rākṣasā laghu vikramaḥ
rāghavas tīrṇaity evam pravṛttis tair iha āhṛtā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Some swift paced demons, who were dispatched by Ravana, brought this very news here that Rama has crossed the ocean."
स ताम् श्रुत्वा विशाल अक्षि प्रवृत्तिम् राक्षस अधिपः
एष मन्त्रयते सर्वैः सचिवैः सह रावणः
sa tām śrutvā viśāla akṣi pravṛttim rākṣasa adhipaḥ
eṣa mantrayate sarvaiḥ sacivaiḥ saha rāvaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, the wide-eyed Seetha! Hearing that news, yonder Ravana is busy making deliberations with all his ministers."
इति ब्रुवाणा सरमा राक्षसी सीतया सह
सर्व उद्योगेन सैन्यानाम् शब्दम् शुश्राव भैरवम्
iti bruvāṇā saramā rākṣasī sītayā saha
sarva udyogena sainyānām śabdam śuśrāva bhairavam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
While Sarama, the ogre was talking as aforesaid with Seetha; a terrific sound was heard, from the troops engaged in the impending war.
दण्ड निर्घात वादिन्याः श्रुत्वा भेर्या महा स्वनम्
उवाच सरमा सीताम् इदम् मधुर भाषिणी
daṇḍa nirghāta vādinyāḥ śrutvā bheryā mahā svanam
uvāca saramā sītām idam madhura bhāṣiṇī
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the crashing sound of kettle drums, made to sound like a thunder storm with a drum stick, Sarama in her sweet voice spoke to Seetha as follows:
सम्नाह जननी ह्य् एषा भैरवा भीरु भेरिका
भेरी नादम् च गम्भीरम् शृणु तोयद निस्वनम्
samnāha jananī hy eṣā bhairavā bhīru bherikā
bherī nādam ca gambhīram śṛṇu toyada nisvanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, timid Seetha! This frightful sound of a kettledrum is indeed indicative of preparation for a war. Hear also the thundering crash of the kettle drums, which resembles the rumbling of clouds"
कल्प्यन्ते मत्त मातम्गा युज्यन्ते रथ वाजिनः
तत्र तत्र च सम्नद्धाः सम्पतन्ति पदातयः
kalpyante matta mātamgā yujyante ratha vājinaḥ
tatra tatra ca samnaddhāḥ sampatanti padātayaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Elephants in rut are being caparisoned for war. Chariot horses are being prepared for a battle. Thousands of horsemen carrying darts in their hands are seen."
तत्र तत्र च सन्नद्धाः सम्पतन्ति सहस्रशः
आपूर्यन्ते राज मार्गाः सैन्यैर् अद्भुत दर्शनैः
tatra tatra ca sannaddhāḥ sampatanti sahasraśaḥ
āpūryante rāja mārgāḥ sainyair adbhuta darśanaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Thousands of soldiers equipped with armor are marching quickly hither and thither. Royal highways are filled with wonderfully looking warriors like a swift flowing sea with its flood of waters making a roaring sound."
शास्त्राणाम् च प्रसन्नानाम् चर्मणाम् वर्मणाम् तथा
śāstrāṇām ca prasannānām carmaṇām varmaṇām tathā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"See hurriedly, this sheen of polished weapons, shields and coats of mail sending forth luster of many hues like the splendor of fire consuming a forest in summer. Here is seen the flurry of chariots, horses and elephants following the lead of Ravana as well as of energetic demons thrilled with joy."
घण्टानाम् शृणु निर्घोषम् रथानाम् शृणु निस्वनम्
हयानाम् हेषमाणानाम् शृणु तूर्य ध्वनिम् यथा
ghaṇṭānām śṛṇu nirghoṣam rathānām śṛṇu nisvanam
hayānām heṣamāṇānām śṛṇu tūrya dhvanim yathā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Hear the sound of bells of elephants. Hear the ratting of chariots. Hear the cry of neighing horses, resembling the flourish of trumpets. Here is the bustle of demons, carrying uplifted weapons in their hands; following the lead of Ravana. This bustling activity is causing hair to stand erect through terror."
श्रीस् त्वाम् भजति शोकघ्नी रक्षसाम् भयम् आगतम्
रामात् कमल पत्र अक्षि दैत्यानाम् इव वासवात्
śrīs tvām bhajati śokaghnī rakṣasām bhayam āgatam
rāmāt kamala patra akṣi daityānām iva vāsavāt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A good fortune, which will bring your sorrow to an end, awaits you. A peril has arrived for demons. The lotus eyed Rama, your husband, who has overcome his anger but having an unimaginable strength will kill Ravana in battle and win you back"
विक्रमिष्यति रक्षह्सु भर्ता ते सह लक्ष्मणः
यथा शत्रुषु शत्रुघ्नो विष्णुना सह वासवः
vikramiṣyati rakṣahsu bhartā te saha lakṣmaṇaḥ
yathā śatruṣu śatrughno viṣṇunā saha vāsavaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Your consort along with Lakshmana will show his valor against the demons, like Indra the lord of celestials along with Vishnu the lord of preservation, the annihilator of enemies exhibited his strength over his adversaries."
आगतस्य हि रामस्य क्षिप्रम् अन्क गताम् सतीम्
अहम् द्रक्ष्यामि सिद्ध अर्थाम् त्वाम् शत्रौ विनिपातिते
āgatasya hi rāmasya kṣipram anka gatām satīm
aham drakṣyāmi siddha arthām tvām śatrau vinipātite
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Very soon, I shall see you, mounted on the lap of Rama who actually arrived, your object of his coming being fulfilled and the enemy fallen."
अश्रूण्य् आनन्दजानि त्वम् वर्तयिष्यसि शोभने
समागम्य परिष्वक्ता तस्य उरसि महा उरसः
aśrūṇy ānandajāni tvam vartayiṣyasi śobhane
samāgamya pariṣvaktā tasya urasi mahā urasaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! You will shed tears of joy on the bosom of that broad-chested Rama, re- united with you and holding you clasped to his breast."
अचिरान् मोक्ष्यते सीते देवि ते जघनम् गताम्
धृताम् एताम् बहून् मासान् वेणीम् रामो महा बलः
acirān mokṣyate sīte devi te jaghanam gatām
dhṛtām etām bahūn māsān veṇīm rāmo mahā balaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Before long, O divine Seetha, that mighty Rama will loosen the one single plait which has reached past your hips, which you have worn these many months."
तस्य दृष्ट्वा मुखम् देवि पूर्ण चन्द्रम् इव उदितम्
मोक्ष्यसे शोकजम् वारि निर्मोकम् इव पन्नगी
tasya dṛṣṭvā mukham devi pūrṇa candram iva uditam
mokṣyase śokajam vāri nirmokam iva pannagī
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Queen! Seeing his face, looking like a rising moon, you will renounce your tears born of grief, like a female snake casts off its slough."
रावणम् समरे हत्वा नचिराद् एव मैथिलि
त्वया समग्रम् प्रियया सुख अर्हो लप्स्यते सुखम्
rāvaṇam samare hatvā nacirād eva maithili
tvayā samagram priyayā sukha arho lapsyate sukham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Seetha! Having killed Ravana in combat within no time, Rama (who deserves facility); will enjoy happiness in the company of the beloved, namely yourself."
समागता त्वम् रामेण मोदिष्यसि महात्मना
सुवर्षेण समायुक्ता यथा सस्येन मेदिनी
samāgatā tvam rāmeṇa modiṣyasi mahātmanā
suvarṣeṇa samāyuktā yathā sasyena medinī
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Acclaimed by the high soled Rama, you will be so happy as how the earth, endowed with crops, feels after the onset of good rains."
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe trayastriṃśaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, queen! Seek refuge now with him - the sun that rolls towards Meru the highest mountain, like a horse that makes its round rapidly. That sun is indeed the source of all creatures."