🌿 Aranya Kanda

Sarga 17

25 shlokas

AK-17-1Aranya Kanda 17.1

कृताभिषेको रामस्तु सीता सौमित्रिरेव च। तस्माद्गोदावरीतीरात्ततो जग्मुस्वमाश्रमम्।।3.17.1।।

kṛtābhiṣeko rāmastu sītā saumitrireva ca| tasmādgodāvarītīrāttato jagmusvamāśramam||3.17.1||

Translation

कृताभिषेकः bath over, रामस्तु Rama too, सीता Sita, सौमित्रिरेव च and also Lakshmana, ततः then, तस्मात् therefrom, गोदावरीतीरात् from the bank of Godavari, स्वम् their, आश्रमम् hermitage, जग्मुः went.

Meaning

Ablution over, Rama, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, went back from the bank of the river Godabari to their hermitage.

AK-17-2Aranya Kanda 17.2

आश्रमं तमुपागम्य राघवस्सह लक्ष्मणः। कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकं कर्म पर्णशालामुपागमत्।।3.17.2।।

āśramṃ tamupāgamya rāghavassaha lakṣmaṇḥ| kṛtvā paurvāhṇikṃ karma parṇaśālāmupāgamat||3.17.2||

Translation

सहलक्ष्मणः accompanied by Lakshmana, राघवः Rama, तम् that, आश्रमम् hermitage, उपागम्य on reaching, पौर्वाह्णिकम् rituals to be performed in the forenoon, कर्म rituals, कृत्वा after doing, पर्णशालाम् cottage thatched with leaves, उपागमत् went in.

Meaning

On reaching the hermitage, Rama and Lakshmana performed the forenoon rituals and entered the leafthatched cottage.

AK-17-3Aranya Kanda 17.3

उवास सुखितस्तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः। लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा चकार विविधाः कथाः।।3.17.3।।

uvāsa sukhitastatra pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ| lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā cakāra vividhāḥ kathāḥ||3.17.3||

Translation

महर्षिभिः by ascetics, पूज्यमानः worshipped by, तत्र there, सुखितः peacefully, उवास stayed, भ्रात्रा brother, लक्ष्मणेन सह with Lakshmana, विविधाः diverse, कथाः talks, चकार making.

Meaning

Honoured by the ascetics , Rama stayed there peacefully with brother Lakshmana, discussing diverse matters (from time to time).

AK-17-4Aranya Kanda 17.4

स रामः पर्णशालायामासीनस्सह सीतया। विरराज महाबाहुश्चित्रया चन्द्रमाः इव।।3.17.4।।

sa rāmḥ parṇaśālāyāmāsīnassaha sītayā| virarāja mahābāhuścitrayā candramāḥ iva||3.17.4||

Translation

सीतया सह along with Sita, पर्णशालायाम् in the cottage, आसीनः seated, महाबाहुः longarmed, सः रामः that Rama, चित्रया with the constellation Chitra, चन्द्रमाः इव like the Moon, विरराज appeared.

Meaning

Longarmed Rama seated with Sita in the cottage, appeared like the Moon in conjunction with constellation Chitra.

AK-17-5Aranya Kanda 17.5

तदाऽऽसीनस्य रामस्य कथासंसक्तचेतसः। तं देशं राक्षसी काचिदाजगाम यदृच्छया।।3.17.5।।

tadā''sīnasya rāmasya kathāsṃsaktacetasḥ| tṃ deśṃ rākṣasī kācidājagāma yadṛcchayā||3.17.5||

Translation

रामस्य Rama's, कथासंसक्तचेतसः engrossed in conversation, तथा like that, आसीनस्य while he was sitting, काचित् one, राक्षसी demoness, यदृच्छया by chance, तं देशम् to that place, आजगाम came.

Meaning

While Rama was thus seated, engrossed in conversation, there incidentally appeared a demoness.

AK-17-6Aranya Kanda 17.6

सा तु शूर्पणखा नाम दशग्रीवस्य राक्षसः। भगिनी राममासाद्य ददर्श त्रिदशोपमम्।।3.17.6।।

sā tu śūrpaṇakhā nāma daśagrīvasya rākṣasḥ| bhaginī rāmamāsādya dadarśa tridaśopamam||3.17.6||

Translation

राक्षसः demon, दशग्रीवस्य of the tenheaded (Ravana), भगिनी sister, शूर्पणखा नाम by name Surpanakha, सा तु she, त्रिदशोपमम् resembling god, रामम् Rama, आसाद्य near, ददर्श saw.

Meaning

Surpanakha, sister of the tenheaded demon (Ravana) approached Rama shining like a god.

AK-17-7-9Aranya Kanda 17.7–9 (त्रिकम्)

सिंहोरस्कं महाबाहुं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम्। आजानुबाहुं दीप्तास्यमतीव प्रियदर्शनम्।।3.17.7।। गजविक्रान्तगमनं जटामण्डलधारिणम्। सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम्।।3.17.8।। राममिन्दीवरश्यामं कन्दर्पसदृशप्रभम्। बभूवेन्द्रोपमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी काममोहिता।।3.17.9।।

siṃhoraskṃ mahābāhuṃ padmapatranibhekṣaṇam| ājānubāhuṃ dīptāsyamatīva priyadarśanam||3.17.7|| gajavikrāntagamanṃ jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇam| sukumārṃ mahāsattvṃ pārthivavyañjanānvitam||3.17.8|| rāmamindīvaraśyāmṃ kandarpasadṛśaprabham| babhūvendropamṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasī kāmamohitā||3.17.9||

Translation

सिंहोरस्कम् whose chest was like that of a lion, महाबाहुम् longarmed, पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम् whose eyes resembled lotus petals, आजानुबाहुम् kneelong arms, दीप्तास्यम् with a glowing face, अतीव vey much, प्रियदर्शनम् pleasing to look at, गजविक्रान्तगमनम् who walked with the gait of an elephant, जटामण्डलधारिणम् having matted hair, सुकुमारम् delicate, महासत्वम् very strong , पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम् endowed with royal traits, इन्दीवरश्यामम् bluelotuslike complexion, कन्दर्पसदृशप्रभम् glowing like the god of love, इन्द्रोपमम् as Indra, रामम् Rama, दृष्ट्वा after seeing, राक्षसी demoness, काममोहिता infatuated, बभूव became.

Meaning

The demoness was infatuated with Rama, whose chest was like that of a lion, who was strongarmed, who had a glowing face, pleasing to the eyes, who walked with the gait of an elephant, whose hair was matted, who was gentle and strong who was, endowed with royal traits, who had a blue lotuslike complexion, who was handsome as the god of love, and who resembled Indra.

AK-17-10-12Aranya Kanda 17.10–12 (त्रिकम्)

सुमुखं दुर्मुखी रामं वृत्तमध्यं महोदरी। विशालाक्षं विरूपाक्षी सुकेशं ताम्रमूर्धजा।।3.17.10।। प्रीतिरूपं विरूपा सा सुस्वरं भैरवस्वरा। तरुणं दारुणा वृद्धा दक्षिणं वामभाषिणी।।3.17.11।। न्यायवृत्तं सुदुर्वृत्ता प्रियमप्रियदर्शना। शरीरजसमाविष्टा राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.17.12।।

sumukhṃ durmukhī rāmṃ vṛttamadhyṃ mahodarī| viśālākṣṃ virūpākṣī sukeśṃ tāmramūrdhajā||3.17.10|| prītirūpṃ virūpā sā susvarṃ bhairavasvarā| taruṇṃ dāruṇā vṛddhā dakṣiṇṃ vāmabhāṣiṇī||3.17.11|| nyāyavṛttṃ sudurvṛttā priyamapriyadarśanā| śarīrajasamāviṣṭā rākṣasī vākyamabravīt||3.17.12||

Translation

दुर्मुखी looking, महोदरी hugebellied, विरूपाक्षी woman with deformed eyes, ताम्रमूर्धजा copperred hair, विरूपा ugly, भैरवस्वरा of shrill voice, दारुणा वृद्धा dreadfully old, वामभाषिणी with a perverted tongue, सुदुर्वृता very wicked, अप्रियदर्शना ugly to look at, राक्षसी the demoness, सुमुखम् of beautiful face, वृत्तमध्यम् slender waist, विशालाक्षम् largeeyed, सुकेशम् with beautiful hair, प्रीतिरूपम् with lovely appearance, सुस्वरम् sweet voice, तरुणम् young , दक्षिणम् favourable, न्यायवृत्तम् who was just, प्रियम् lovely, रामम् to Rama, शरीरजसमाविष्टा overcome by lust, वाक्यम् these words, अब्रवीत् said.

Meaning

Rama's face was lovely, Surpanakha's was hideous. Rama had a slender waist, she had a huge belly. His eyes were large, hers were deformed. His hair was black and beautiful, hers was coppercoloured. He was lovely in appearance, she was ugly. His voice was sweet, hers was shrill. He was young, she was dreadfully old. He was positive, she was perverted. Rama was wellbehaved, she was wicked. Rama was just and loving while she was overcome by lust. (This) demoness said to Rama :

AK-17-13Aranya Kanda 17.13

जटी तापसरूपेण सभार्यश्शरचापधृत्। आगतस्त्वमिमं देशं कथं राक्षससेवितम्।।3.17.13।। किमागमनकृत्यं ते तत्त्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि।

jaṭī tāpasarūpeṇa sabhāryaśśaracāpadhṛt| āgatastvamimṃ deśṃ kathṃ rākṣasasevitam||3.17.13|| kimāgamanakṛtyṃ te tattvamākhyātumarhasi|

Translation

त्वम् you, जटी having matted hair, सभार्यः with your wife, शरचापधृत् holding bow and arrows, तापसरूपेण in the form of an ascetic, राक्षससेवितम् haunted by demons, इमं this, देशम् place, कथम् how, आगतः have you come, ते your, आगमनकृत्यम् reason for coming, किम् what, तत्वम् truth, अख्यातुम् to tell, अर्हसि should.

Meaning

O Rama you are wearing matted hair like an ascetic, but living with your wife and holding bow and arrows. What brings you to this place haunted by demons ? You should tell me the truth ?

AK-17-14Aranya Kanda 17.14

एवमुक्तस्तु राक्षस्या शूर्पणख्या परन्तपः।।3.17.14।। ऋजुबुद्धितया सर्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे।

evamuktastu rākṣasyā śūrpaṇakhyā parantapḥ||3.17.14|| ṛjubuddhitayā sarvamākhyātumupacakrame|

Translation

राक्षस्या by the demoness, शूर्पणख्या by Surpanakha, एवम् in that way, उक्तः asked, परन्तपः a scorcher of foes, ऋजुबुद्धितया due to simplemindedness, सर्वम् everything, आख्यातुम् to tell, उपचक्रमे started.

Meaning

Thus asked by the demoness Surpanakha, Rama, scorcher of foes began telling her everything due to his simplemindedness.

AK-17-15Aranya Kanda 17.15

अनृतं न हि रामस्य कदाचिदपि सम्मतम्।।3.17.15।। विशेषेणाऽश्रमस्थस्य समीपे स्त्रीजनस्य च।

anṛtṃ na hi rāmasya kadācidapi sammatam||3.17.15|| viśeṣeṇā'śramasthasya samīpe strījanasya ca|

Translation

रामस्य to Rama, अनृतम् untruth, कदाचिदपि ever, न सम्मतं हि not acceptable, आश्रमस्थस्य while at the hermitage, स्त्रीजनस्य of women, समीपे च in the presence of, विशेषेण especially.

Meaning

To Rama untruth is never acceptable at the hermitage and especially in the presence of a woman.

AK-17-16Aranya Kanda 17.16

आसीद्धशरथो नाम राजा त्रिदशविक्रमः।।3.17.16।। तस्याहमग्रजः पुत्रो रामो नाम जनैश्श्रुतः।

āsīddhaśaratho nāma rājā tridaśavikramḥ||3.17.16|| tasyāhamagrajḥ putro rāmo nāma janaiśśrutḥ|

Translation

त्रिदशविक्रमः mighty like the gods, दशरथो नाम Dasaratha by name, राजा king, आसीत् was, अहम् I am, तस्य his, अग्रजः eldest, पुत्रः son, रामो Rama, नाम by name, जनैः by people, श्रुतः heard.

Meaning

(Rama replied) There was a king named Dasaratha who was mighty like the gods. I am his eldest son known among the people as Rama.

AK-17-17Aranya Kanda 17.17

भ्राताऽयं लक्ष्मणो नाम यवीयान्मामनुव्रतः।।3.17.17।। इयं भार्या च वैदेही मम सीतेति विश्रुता।

bhrātā'yṃ lakṣmaṇo nāma yavīyānmāmanuvratḥ||3.17.17|| iyṃ bhāryā ca vaidehī mama sīteti viśrutā|

Translation

अयम् he is, लक्ष्मणो नाम Lakshmana by name, यवीयान् younger one, भ्राता brother, माम् to me, अनुव्रतः always following me, वैदेही daughter of king of Videha, इयम् this, मम my, भार्या wife, सीतेति as Sita, विश्रुता wellknown.

Meaning

Here is Lakshmana , my younger brother, who always follows me . And this is the daughter of the king of Videha and my wife, wellknown as Sita.

AK-17-18Aranya Kanda 17.18

नियोगात् तु नरेन्द्रस्य पितुर्मातुश्च यन्त्रितः।।3.17.18।। धर्मार्थं धर्मकाङ्क्षी च वनं वस्तुमिहागतः।

niyogāt tu narendrasya piturmātuśca yantritḥ||3.17.18|| dharmārthṃ dharmakāṅkṣī ca vanṃ vastumihāgatḥ|

Translation

नरेन्द्रस्य king's, पितुः father's, मातुश्च and mother's, नियोगात् by the order, यन्त्रितः impelled, धर्मकाङ्क्षी च one desirous of establishing righteousness, धर्मार्थम् for the sake of duty, इह here, वस्तुम् to reside, वनम् to the forest, आगतः I have come.

Meaning

I have come here, commanded by the king, my father and mother.Intending to obey the orders of my father, and impelled by duty to establish righteousness I have come to reside here.

AK-17-19Aranya Kanda 17.19

त्वां तु वेदितुमिच्छामि कस्य त्वं कासि कस्य वा।।3.17.19।। त्वं हि तावन्मनोज्ञाङ्गी राक्षसी प्रतिभासि मे।

tvāṃ tu veditumicchāmi kasya tvṃ kāsi kasya vā||3.17.19|| tvṃ hi tāvanmanojñāṅgī rākṣasī pratibhāsi me|

Translation

त्वाम् you, वेदितुम् to know, इच्छामि I wish, कथ्यताम् you may speak, क्व who, असि you are, कस्य वा whose, मनोज्ञाङ्गी a woman of beautiful limbs, राक्षसी demoness, मे to me, न प्रतिभासि seem not.

Meaning

I wish to know who you are. Tell me who your kins are. With lovely limbs you do not appear to be a demoness.

AK-17-20Aranya Kanda 17.20

इह वा किंनिमित्तं त्वमागता ब्रूहि तत्त्वत:।।3.17.20।। साब्रवीद् वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसी मदनार्दिता।

iha vā kiṃnimittṃ tvamāgatā brūhi tattvata:||3.17.20|| sābravīd vacanṃ śrutvā rākṣasī madanārditā|

Translation

इह here, किंनिमित्तम् for what purpose, त्वम् you, आगता वा you have come, तत्त्वत: truly, ब्रूहि tell, वचनम् these words, श्रुत्वा hearing, मदनार्दिता overtaken by passion, सा राक्षसी that demoness, अब्रवीत् said,

Meaning

Tell me truly what you have come here for. Having heard the words of Rama and overtaken by passion, the demoness said:

AK-17-21-22Aranya Kanda 17.21–22 (युग्मम्)

श्रूयतां राम वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वार्थं वचनं मम। 3.17.21।। अहं शूर्पणखा नाम राक्षसी कामरूपिणी। अरण्यं विचरामीदमेका सर्वभयङ्करा।।3.17.22।।

śrūyatāṃ rāma vakṣyāmi tattvārthṃ vacanṃ mama| 3.17.21|| ahṃ śūrpaṇakhā nāma rākṣasī kāmarūpiṇī| araṇyṃ vicarāmīdamekā sarvabhayaṅkarā||3.17.22||

Translation

अहम् myself, शूर्पणखा नाम is Surpanakha by name, कामरूपिणी assume the form I desire, राक्षसी a demoness, एका alone, सर्वभयङ्करा can terrorise all creatures, इदम् this, अरण्यम् forest, विचरामि I move about.

Meaning

My name is Surpanakha. I am a demoness who can assume any form at will, I move in this forest alone, unleashing a reign of terror.

AK-17-23Aranya Kanda 17.23

रावणो नाम मे भ्राता बलीयान्राक्षसेश्वरः। वीरो विश्रवसः पुत्रो यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः।।3.17.23।।

rāvaṇo nāma me bhrātā balīyānrākṣaseśvarḥ| vīro viśravasḥ putro yadi te śrotramāgatḥ||3.17.23||

Translation

बलीयान् strongman, वीरः a hero, विश्रवस: Visrava's, पुत्रः son, रावणो नाम by name Ravana, राक्षसेश्वरः lord for all demons, मे my, भ्राता brother, ते to you, श्रोत्रम् is heard,यदि I suppose.

Meaning

My brother is Ravana, son of Visrava, and lord of all demons. You have heard his name I suppose.

AK-17-24Aranya Kanda 17.24

प्रवृद्धनिद्रश्च सदा कुम्भकर्णो महाबलः। विभीषणस्तु धर्मात्मा न तु राक्षसचेष्टितः।।3.17.24।। प्रख्यातवीर्यौ च रणे भ्रातरौ खरदूषणौ।

pravṛddhanidraśca sadā kumbhakarṇo mahābalḥ| vibhīṣaṇastu dharmātmā na tu rākṣasaceṣṭitḥ||3.17.24|| prakhyātavīryau ca raṇe bhrātarau kharadūṣaṇau|

Translation

सदा always, प्रवृद्धनिद्रः in deep sleep, महाबलः very strong, कुम्भकर्णः च Kumbhakarna, धर्मात्मा a righteous one, विभीषणस्तु Vibhisana also, तु but, राक्षसचेष्टितः nature of the demon, न not, रणे in war, प्रख्यातवीर्यौ both very wellknown heroes, खरदूषणौ च Khara and Dusana, भ्रातरौ two brothers.

Meaning

Kumbhakarna is another brother of mine. He is very strong. He is always in deep sleep. Vibhisna another brother. He is righteous free from any demoniac trait. My other two brothers are Khara and Dusana who are wellknown heroes of war.

AK-17-25Aranya Kanda 17.25

तानहं समतिक्रान्ता राम त्वा पूर्वदर्शनात्।।3.17.25।। समुपेतास्मि भावेन भर्तारं पुरुषोत्तमम्।

tānahṃ samatikrāntā rāma tvā pūrvadarśanāt||3.17.25|| samupetāsmi bhāvena bhartārṃ puruṣottamam|

Translation

राम O Rama, अहम् I, तान् them, समतिक्रान्ता transgressing all of them, पूर्वदर्शनात् as soon as I saw, पुरुषोत्तमम् finest of men, त्वा you, भर्तारम् as husband, भावेन with that feeling, समुपेता approached, अस्मि I am.

Meaning

Setting them aside, I came here, as soon as I saw you. You are the finest among men and I am here wishing you to be my husband.

AK-17-26Aranya Kanda 17.26

अहं प्रभावसम्पन्ना स्वच्छन्दबलगामिनी।।3.17.26।। चिराय भव मे भर्ता सीतया किं करिष्यसि।

ahṃ prabhāvasampannā svacchandabalagāminī||3.17.26|| cirāya bhava me bhartā sītayā kiṃ kariṣyasi|

Translation

अहम् I, प्रभावसम्पन्ना influential, स्वच्छन्दबलगामिनी I have the capacity for moving wherever I want चिराय for long, मे my, भर्ता husband, भव you, सीतया with Sita, किंन्करिष्यसि what will you do?

Meaning

I have influence over others, I have capacity to move wherever I want. Be my husband forever. What will you do with Sita?

AK-17-27Aranya Kanda 17.27

विकृता च विरूपा च न चेयं सदृशी तव।।3.17.27।। अहमेवानुरूपा ते भार्या रूपेण पश्य माम्।

vikṛtā ca virūpā ca na ceyṃ sadṛśī tava||3.17.27|| ahamevānurūpā te bhāryā rūpeṇa paśya mām|

Translation

विकृता च an ugly form, विरूपा च deformed too, इयम् this woman, तव your, न सदृशी is not suitable to you, ते you, अहमेव I alone, अनुरूपा suitable, माम् me, भार्यारूपेण as wife, पश्य look upon.

Meaning

She is ugly, deformed, unsuitable for you. I am alone fit for you. Look upon me as your wife.

AK-17-28Aranya Kanda 17.28

इमां विरूपामसतीं करालां निर्णतोदरीम्।।3.17.28।। अनेन ते सह भ्रात्रा भक्षयिष्यामि मानुषीम्।

imāṃ virūpāmasatīṃ karālāṃ nirṇatodarīm||3.17.28|| anena te saha bhrātrā bhakṣayiṣyāmi mānuṣīm|

Translation

विरूपाम् deformed, असतीम् unchaste, करालाम् frightful, निर्णतोदरीम् flat bellied woman, इमां मानुषीम् to this lady, ते भ्रात्रासह along with your brother, भक्षयिष्यामि I will eat up.

Meaning

I will devour your brother along with this disfigured, unchaste and fearful lady with a flat belly.

AK-17-29Aranya Kanda 17.29

ततः पर्वतशृङ्गाणि वनानि विविधानि च।।3.17.29।। पश्यन्सह मया कान्त दण्डकान्विचरिष्यसि।

tatḥ parvataśṛṅgāṇi vanāni vividhāni ca||3.17.29|| paśyansaha mayā kānta daṇḍakānvicariṣyasi|

Translation

कान्त O darling, ततः thereafter, पर्वतशृङ्गाणि tops of mountains, विविधानि many kinds, वनानि च forests also, पश्यन् while seeing, मया सह with me, दण्डकान् Dandaka forest, विचरिष्यसि will wander.

Meaning

O darling, thereafter you can keep wandering with me in this Dandaka forest, enjoying the beauty of the mountain tops and forests.

AK-17-30Aranya Kanda 17.30

इत्येवमुक्तः काकुत्स्थः प्रहस्य मदिरेक्षणाम्।।3.17.30।। इदं वचनमारेभे वक्तुं वाक्यविशारदः।

ityevamuktḥ kākutsthḥ prahasya madirekṣaṇām||3.17.30|| idṃ vacanamārebhe vaktuṃ vākyaviśāradḥ|

Translation

इत्येवम् in this way, उक्तः said, वाक्यविशारदः expert in speech, काकुत्स्थ: Rama, प्रहस्य laughing, मदिरेक्षणाम् to her with bewitching eyes, इदं वचनम् these words, वक्तुम् to speak, आरेभे started.

Meaning

Thus addressed, Rama, skilled in speech, laughed and started speaking to that woman of bewitching eyes. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे सप्तदशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the seventeenth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

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