35 – Ravana proceeds to Mareecha

Introduction

Ravana proceeds to Maareecha seeking his help in the abduction of Seetha. He travels by his aircraft-like chariot and on way he sees many locations along the seacoast that are affluent and divine. On seeing a banyan tree Ravana recollects the episode of Garuda, the Divine Eagle. He arrives at the hermitage of Maareecha.

Verse 1

ततः शूर्पणखा वाक्यम् तत् श्रुत्वा रोम हर्षणम् |
सचिवान् अभ्यनुज्ञाय कार्यम् बुद्ध्वा जगाम ह || ३-३५-१

On hearing the exciting advise of Shuurpanakha then Ravana bade adieu to ministers, and indeed on resolving his further task he proceeded to his personal palace chambers. [3-35-1]

1. tataH = then; roma harSaNam = hair, raising – exciting;, tat shuurpaNakhaa vaakyam shrutvaa = that, Shuurpanakha’s, sentence, advise, on hearing; sacivaan abhyanuGYaaya = to ministers, bidding adieu; kaaryam buddhvaa jagaama ha = his task, resolving, proceeded, indeed.

Verse 2 & 3

तत् कार्यम् अनुगम्यांतर् यथावत् उपलभ्य च |
दोषाणाम् च गुणानाम् च सम्प्रधार्य बल अबलम् || ३-३५-२
इति कर्तव्यम् इति एव कृत्वा निश्चयम् आत्मनः |
स्थिर बुद्धिः ततो रम्याम् यान शालाम् जगाम ह || ३-३५-३

While following up his thinking about that task he got a pertinent thought, and on deliberating about the credits and discredits, strengths and weaknesses of that thought he decided that ‘this is to be done in this method only.’ On taking a decision in that way and with a firm mind he indeed proceeded to his excellent vehicle-garage. [3-35-2, 3]

2, 3. tataH = then; tat kaaryam anugamya = that, task, while following up; yathaavat = as befittingly; upalabhya ca = securing [a thought,] also; doSaaNaam ca guNaanaam ca = discredits, credits, also; bala abalam sampradhaarya = strengths, weaknesses, on deliberating about – that thought; iti kartavyam = this task, be done this method; iti eva = in that way, only; aatmanaH = in mind; nishcayam kR^itvaa = a decision, on making – on taking; sthira buddhiH = with a firm, mind; tataH ramyaam yaana shaalaam jagaama ha = excellent, vehicle, garage, proceeded to, verily.

Verse 4

यान शालाम् ततो गत्वा प्रच्छन्नम् राक्षस अधिपः |
सूतम् संचोदयामास रथः संयुज्यताम् इति || ३-३५-४

That lordly demon then has gone to the vehicle garage in secrecy, and directed the charioteer thus as, ‘let the chariot be harnessed.’ [3-35-4]

4. tataH = then; raakSasa adhipaH = demons, lord of; pracChannam = secreting himself – in secrecy; yaana shaalaam gatvaa = vehicle, garage, having gone; rathaH sam yujyataam = chariot, be harnessed; iti = thus; suutam sam codayaamaasa = at charioteer, directed.

Verse 5

एवम् उक्तः क्षणेन एव सारथिः लघु विक्रमः |
रथम् संयोजयामास तस्य अभिमतम् उत्तमम् || ३-३५-५

When that brisk-paced charioteer is said in this way he instantly harnessed the favourite and choicest chariot of Ravana with horses and got it ready. [3-35-5]

5. evam uktaH = thus, who is said – the charioteer; laghu vikramaH saarathiH = brisk, paced, charioteer; tasya abhimatam = his [Ravana’s] favourite one; uttamam ratham = choicest, chariot; kSaNena eva = in an instant, thus; samyojayaamaasa = started to harness – horses, got it ready.

Verse 6 & 7

कांचनम् रथम् आस्थाय कामगम् रत्न भूषितम् |
पिशाच वदनैः युक्तम् खरैः कनक भूषणैः || ३-३५-६
मेघ प्रतिम नादेन स तेन धनद अनुजः |
राक्षसाधिपतिः श्रीमान् ययौ नद नदी पतिम् || ३-३५-७

That chariot which is decorated with golden ornaments, yoked with monster-faced mules that have gem studded trappings is rideable by the wish of the rider, and sitting in such a chariot which is wholly golden and which rides with a sound like the pealing of thunder, that celebrated Ravana, the brother of Kubera and the lord of demons, travelled towards the lord of rivers and rivulets, namely the ocean. [3-35-6,7]

6. dhanada anujaH = Kubera’s, brother; shriimaan = celebrated one; saH raakSasa adhipatiH = that, demons, lord of; kanaka bhuuSaNaiH = with golden, ornaments; pishaaca vadanaiH = with monster, faces; kharaiH yuktam = with mules, yoked; ratna bhuuSitam = gems, studded with; kaancanam = golden – chariot – wholly golden; kaama gam = by wish [of rider,] rideable; ratham aasthaaya = chariot, on sitting; megha pratima naadena = cloud, similar, with sound – pealing like a thunder; tena = by that – chariot; nada nadii patim – nada – rivulets flowing westward; nadii = rivers flowing to east; pati = their lord – ocean; yayau = travelled towards ocean.

Verse 8,9 & 10

स श्वेत वाल व्यजनः श्वेतः छत्रो दशाननः |
स्निग्ध वैदूर्य संकाश तप्त कान्चन भूषणः || ३-३५-८
दशग्रीवो विंशति भुजो दर्शनीय परिच्छदः |
त्रिदश अरिः मुनीन्द्र घ्नो दश शीर्ष इव अद्रि राट् || ३-३५-९
कामगम् रथम् आस्थाय शुशुभे राक्षसाधिपः |
विद्युन् मण्डलवान् मेघः स बलाक इव अंबरे || ३-३५-१०

Dasha-aanana, the decahedral demon, whose complexion like the smoothened Lapis-gem is lustrous, whose regalia that comprise white long-furred fans, white parasol and the like is spectacular, whose ornaments made out of refined gold are glittering, who similar to a kingly mountain with ten pinnacles and crags by way of his ten heads and twenty arms is gorgeous, and such a chief of demons who by that way is an adversary of gods and cutthroat of eminent-sages, seated in a nitid golden chariot that is rideable by the wish of its steersman, he shone forth like a black-cloud fringed with the streaks of lightning and rimmed with flights of cranes. [3-35-8, 9, 10]

8. shveta vaala vyajanaH = with white, long-furred, fans [regal insignia]; shvetaH ChatraH = with white, parasol; dasha aananaH = ten-faced – Ravana; snigdha vaiduurya samkaasha = [his body] smooth, Lapis, similar in shine; tapta kaancana bhuuSaNaH = having burnt [refined,] golden, ornaments; dasha griivaH vimshati bhujaH = with ten, throats [heads,] twenty, arms; darshaniiya pari cChadaH = with good-looking [spectacular,] over, coverings [regalia]; tridasha ariH = gods’, adversary; muni indra ghnaH = sages, eminent, cutthroat; dasha shiirSa adri raaT iva = ten, heads [pinnacles,] mountain, king, who is similar to; such a; saH raakSasa adhipaH = he that, demons, chief; kaama gam ratham aasthaaya = by wish, rideable, chariot, seated in; ambare = in sky; vidyut maNDalavaan = one with lightning flashes, and with such an area around it; sa balaaka = that is with, [flights of]cranes; meghaH iva = cloud, as with; shushubhe = shone forth.

Verse 11

स शैलम् सागर अनूपम् वीर्यवान् अवलोकयन् |
नाना पुष्प फलैर् वृक्षैर् अनुकीर्णम् सहस्रशः || ३-३५-११

That dauntless Ravana forged ahead while viewing the area along the coastline which is interspersed with thousands of mountains and which is with variously flowered and fruited trees. [3-35-11]

11. viiryavaan = dauntless one; saH = he that Ravana; shailam sahasrashaH = mountain, in thousands; naanaa puSpa phalaiH vR^ikSaiH = with various, flowered, fruited, trees; anu kiirNam = interspersed; saagara anuupam = ocean’s, costal-delta area; ava lokayan = while viewing, – he proceeded.

Verse 12

शीत मंगल तोयाभिः पद्मिनीभिः समंततः |
विशालैः आश्रम पदैः वेदिमद्भिः अलंकृतम् || ३-३५-१२

Everywhere the coastland is bedecked with lotus-lakes containing clean and cool waters, and with extensive thresholds of hermitages containing Fire-altars. [3-35-12]

12. shiita mangala toyaabhiH = with cool, clean, waters; padminiibhiH = with lotus-lakes; vedimadbhiH = having Fire-altars; vishaalaiH aashrama padaiH = with extensive, hermitage, thresholds; samantataH alankR^itam = everywhere, bedecked with – seeing them he proceeded.

Verse 13

कदल्य अटवि संशोभम् नालिकेर उपशोभितम् |
सालैः तालैः तमालैः च तरुभिः च सुपुष्पितैः || ३-३५-१३

Entire coast is gleaming with banana plantation and glistening with coconut trees, and the saala, palm, and tamaala trees are also in full blossom. [3-35-13]

13. kadalya aTavi samshobham = with banana, orchards – plantation, gleaming with; naalikera upashobhitam = coconut trees, glistening with; saalaiH taalaiH tamaalaiH ca tarubhiH ca supuSpitaiH = saala, palm, tamaala, trees, as well, well, blossomed.

Verse 14 & 15

अत्यन्त नियत आहारैः शोभितम् परम ऋषिभिः |
नागैः सुपर्णैः गंधर्वैः किंनरैः च सहस्रशः || ३-३५-१४
जित कामैः च सिद्धैः च चारणैः च उपशोभितम् |
आजैः वैखानसैः माषैः वालखिल्यैः मरीचिपैः || ३-३५-१५

It is brightened up with thousands of reptiles and birds, with those many celestial beings that frequent the earth like gandharva-s, kinnaraa-s. And with eminent sages who have highly controlled food-habits, as well. It is also refulgent with the self-denying Siddha-s, Carana-s, and with sages that are the brainchildren of Brahma, namely Vaikhanasa-s, Maasha-s, Vaalakhilya-s, Mariicipa-s. [3-35-14, 15]

14. naagaiH suparNaiH gandharvaiH = with reptiles, birds, gandharva-s; sahasrashaH = kinnara’s ca = with thousands of, kinnaraiH, as well; aajaiH = with Brahma’s brainchildren; vaikhaanasaiH = with Vaikhanasa sages; maaSaiH = with sage of Maasha descendents; mariici paiH = with Mariicipa-s, sages that dink moonbeams; vaala khilyaiH = with, Vaalakhilya sages; atyanta niyata aahaaraiH = those with highly, controlled, food-habits; parama R^iSibhiH = with eminent, sages; shobhitam = brightened with – coastal area; jita kaamaiH siddhaiH ca = conquered, desires [self-denying,] also, with Siddha-s; caaraNaiH ca = Caarana-s, also with; upashobhitam = coast is – refulgent.

Verse 16

दिव्य आभरण माल्याभिः दिव्य रूपाभिः आवृतम् |
क्रीडा रति विधिज्ञाभिः अप्सरोभिः सहस्रशः || ३-३५-१६

With thousands of celestial maidens divine in their mien, namely apsara-s, who are prettified with divine ornaments and garlands, and who are also the experts in the methodical sex-games that seaside is pervaded. [3-35-16]

16. divya aabharaNa maalyaabhiH = with divine, ornaments, garlands; divya ruupaabhiH = with divine, aspects; kriiDaa rati vidhi GYaabhiH = game of, sex, methods, experts in; sahasrashaH apsarobhiH = in thousands, by apsara-s; aavR^itam = pervaded with.

Verse 17

सेवितम् देव पत्नीभिः श्रीमतीभिः उपासितम् |
देव दानव सन्घैः च चरितम् तु अमृत अशिभिः || ३-३५-१७

That seacoast is adored by the propitious wives of gods and frequented by the assemblages of gods who thrive upon ambrosia, and even patronised by demons that strive for ambrosia. [3-35-17]

17. shriimatiibhiH deva patniibhiH = by propitious, gods, wives of; sevitam = [seashore] is adored; amR^ita ashibhiH = on ambrosia, thrive upon [or, who strive for]; deva sanghaiH ca caritam = gods, assemblages, frequented by; [amR^ita arthibhiH = for ambrosia, who strive for]; by such; daanava upaasitam tu = demon’s, groups, patronised, even.

Verse 18

हंस क्रौन्च प्लव आकीर्णम् सारसैः संप्रणादितम् |
वैदूर्य प्रस्तरम् स्निग्धम् सांद्रम् सागर तेजसा || ३-३५-१८

It is spread with swans, ruddy-gees and frogs, and there the waterfowls are very noisy, and stones overlain on the coast are like lapis-gems, and with the ambience of ocean that whole delta is appearing smooth and sludgy. [3-35-18]

18. hamsa kraunca plava aakiirNam = with swans, ruddy-gees, frogs, spread out; saarasaiH sam pra Naaditam = by saarasa water-fowls, very, much, noisy; vaiduurya prastaram = Lapis-gem like, stones, overlain; saagara tejasaa = by ocean’s, ambience; saandram = sludgy; snigdham = smooth.

Verse 19 & 20

पाण्डुराणि विशालानि दिव्य माल्य युतानि च |
तूर्य गीत अभिजुष्टानि विमानानि समंततः || ३-३५-१९
तपसा जित लोकानाम् कामगान् अभिसंपतन् |
गन्धर्व अप्सरसः चैव ददर्श धनदानुजः || ३-३५-२०

While Ravana, the brother of Kubera, is quickly transiting he saw everywhere the whitish and widish aircrafts belonging to the deified souls who acquired higher worlds, and from those aircrafts adorned with divine flowery tassels and piloted by the wish of their steersmen, instrumental and vocal music is resonating, and gandharva-s are singing and apsara-s are dancing in them. [3-35-19, 20]

19, 20. abhisampatan – abhi sam patan = towards, quickly, falling – while quickly going; dhanada anujaH = Kubera’s, brother – Ravana; tapasaa jita lokaanaam = by asceticism, of those who acquired, [higher] worlds; paaNDuraaNi vishaalaani = whitish, widish; divya maalya yutaani ca = divine, flowery-tassels, having, also; tuurya giita abhijuSTaani = musical notes, singing, resonating; kaama gaan vimaanaani = = by wish, moving, aircrafts – of deified souls; apsarasaH caiva = gandharva-s, apsara-s, also thus – in those aircrafts, where gandharva-s are singing, and apsara-s are dancing; samantataH dadarsha = everywhere, Ravana has seen.

Verse 21

निर्यास रस मूलानाम् चंदनानाम् सहस्रशः |
वनानि पश्यन् सौम्यानि घ्राण तृप्ति कराणि च || ३-३५-२१

Ravana proceeded while observing thousands of woodlands with sandalwood trees that are soothing and satisfying the sense of smell, and that oozed sweet-smelling resin at their bases. [3-35-21]

21. niryaasa rasa muulaanaam = oozing, fluid [resin,] at bases; candanaanaam = of sandalwood trees; saumyaani = soothingly; ghraaNa tR^ipti karaaNi ca = sense of smell, satisfying to, also; sahasrashaH vanaani pashyan = in thousands, woodlands, while observing – Ravana proceeded.

Verse 22

अगुरूणाम् च मुख्यानाम् वनानि उपवनानि च |
तक्कोलानाम् च जात्यानाम् फलानाम् च सुगन्धिनाम् || ३-३५-२२

He also observed on his way the forests and woodlands containing the noteworthy aloe plants, Takkola trees, and the nutmeg trees that are with fruits and aromatic, as well. [3-35-22]

22. mukhyaanaam aguruuNaam ca vanaani = noteworthy, aloe vera plants, forests of; upavanaani ca = woodlands, also; takkolaanaam = of Takkola trees; phalaanaam ca su gandhinaam = with fruits of, also, aromatic ones; jaatyaanaam = of nutmeg trees; he saw while going.

Verse 23

पुष्पाणि च तमालस्य गुल्मानि मरिचस्य च |
मुक्तानाम् च समूहानि शुष्यमाणानि तीरतः || ३-३५-२३

Also seen are the flowers of Tamaala trees, shrubberies of pepper, and heaps of desiccating pearl-oysters along the seashore. [3-35-23]

23. tamaalasya puSpaaNi ca = of Tamaala trees – cassia, at flowers, also; maricasya gulmaani ca = of pepper, shrubberies, also; tiirataH = along seashore; shuSyamaaNaani = that are desiccating; muktaanaam samuuhaani ca = of pearls [of oysters,] heaps, also – he saw.

Verse 24

शैलानि प्रवरान् चैव प्रवाल निचयान् तथा |
कांचनानि च शृंगाणि राजतानि तथैव च || ३-३५-२४

Thus, he saw the peaking boulders, like that the reefs of corals, and like that also at the mountains that have golden and silvern crests. [3-35-24]

24. shailaani pra varaan caiva = boulders, very best ones – peaking, also thus; [sha~NkhAnAM prastara.n caiva = conch shells, heaps of, also thus]; tathaa = like that; pravaala nicayaan = coral, reefs of; kaancanaani raajataani ca = golden, silvern, also – suggesting their ores inside; shR^ingaaNi = also, crests; tathaiva ca = like that, even.

Verse 25

प्रस्रवाणि मनोज्ञानि प्रसन्नानि अद्भुतानि च |
धन धान्य उपपन्नानि स्त्री रत्नैः आवृतानि च || ३-३५-२५
हस्ति अश्व रथ गाढानि नगराणि विलोकयन् |

On seeing the delightful, serene, and marvellous cascades, and cities that are abundant in wealth and agricultural produce, and abundant with gemlike womenfolk, and that are replete with elephants, horses, and chariots, Ravana proceeded further. [3-35-25, 26a]

25, 26a. manoGYaani prasannaani adbhutaani prasravaaNi = delightful, serene, marvellous, cascades; [or, manoGYaani prasravaaNi = delightful, cascades; prasannaani adbhutaani hradaani ca = serene, marvellous, lakes, also;] dhana dhaanya upapannaani = wealth, grain, endowed with; strii ratnaiH aavR^itaani ca = women, gemlike, spread with, also; hasti ashva ratha gaaDhaani = elephants, horses, chariots, replete with; nagaraaNi vilokayan = cities, while viewing at – he proceeded.

Verse 26b & 27a

तम् समम् सर्वतः स्निग्धम् मृदु संस्पर्श मारुतम् || ३-३५-२६
अनूपे सिन्धु राजस्य ददर्श त्रिदिव उपमम् |

Ravana observed the delta adjacent to seacoast of that kingly ocean to be uniform and smooth, while the light air breezing in there is soft for touch, thus it looked heavenly. [3-35-26b, 27a]

26b, 27a. sarvataH samam snigdham = everywhere, land is levelly, smoothly; that has; mR^idu samsparsha maarutam = softly, touched, by light air; tridiva upamam = heaven, similar; sindhu raajasya = of rivers, king – of ocean; tam anuupe = that, deltas – areas on seacoast; dadarsha = Ravana observed.

Verse 27b & 28a

तत्र अपश्यत् स मेघ आभम् न्यग्रोधम् मुनिभिर् वृतम् || ३-३५-२७
समंतात् यस्य ताः शाखाः शत योजनम् आयताः |

There Ravana also saw a banyan tree which in sheen is like a black-cloud, and the branches of which are stretching all over for a hundred yojana-s in length, and on which sages made their abode for practising ascesis. [3-35-27b, 28a]

27b, 28a. tatra = there; saH = he that Ravana; yasya = which – tree’s; taaH shaakhaaH = those, branches; samantaat shata yojanam aayataaH = all over, hundred, yojana, in length; megha aabham = which tree is – cloudlike, in shine; munibhiH vR^itam = with sages, encompassing it – sages settled on that tree practising ascesis; nyagrodham = Indian Fig tree [banyan tree, Ficus benghalensis – the branches of which hang down and root themselves,]; apashyat = he saw.

Verse 28b & 29a

यस्य हस्तिनम् आदाय महा कायम् च कच्छपम् || ३-३५-२८
भक्षार्थम् गरुडः शाखाम् आजगाम महाबलः |

This is the tree on the branch of which once highly mighty Divine Eagle Garuda swooped to perch, clawing an elephant and a mammoth tortoise, for the purpose of dining them out on that tree-branch. [3-35-28b, 29a]

28b, 29a. mahaabalaH = highly mighty; garuDaH = Garuda, the Divine Eagle; bhakSa artham = to dine, for the purposet; hastinam = an elephant; mahaa kaayam kacChapam ca = mammoth, bodied, tortoise, also; aadaaya = on taking – clawing; yasya = on which – tree’s; shaakhaam aajagaama = on to tree branch, arrived – swooped to perch.

Verse 29b & 30a

तस्य ताम् सहसा शाखाम् भारेण पतगोत्तमः || ३-३५-२९
सुपर्णः पर्ण बहुलाम् बभंज अथ महाबलः |

While descending rapidly then that best bird among birds Garuda suddenly broke that tree’s branch which is full with leaves, owing to the impact of his high impetuosity. [3-35-29b, 30a]

29b, 30a. pataga uttamaH = among birds, the best – Garuda; mahaabalaH = highly mighty – with high impetuous Garuda; su parNaH = one with – excellent, wings – Garuda, the eagle; tasya = of its – tree’s; taam parNa bahulaam shaakhaam = that, with leaves, many – that branch full with leaves; atha = then; bhaareNa sahasaa babhanja = owing to his weight, suddenly, broke – while descending rapidly.

Verse 30b & 31a

तत्र वैखानसा माषा वालखिल्या मरीचिपाः || ३-३५-३०
अजा बभूवुः धूम्राः च संगताः परमर्षयः |

Adhering to that tree-branch there are eminent sages like, Vaikhanasa-s, Maasha-s, Vaalakhilya-s, Mariicipa-s, Aja-s, and even sages like Dhuumraa-s that thrive on fumes and smokes are there, and there they are collectively practising asceticism upside down while clasping branches with their legs. [3-35-30b, 31a]

30b, 31a. vaikhaanasaa maaSaa, mariicipaaH = Vaikhanasa-s, Maasha-s, Vaalakhilya-s, Mariicipa-s; ajaaH = Aja-s; dhuumraaH ca = Dhuumraa-s, also; parama rSayaH = eminent-sages; tatra = there – adhering to that branch; sangataaH = collectively; babhuuvuH = are there.

Verse 31b & 32a

तेषाम् दयाअर्थम् गरुडः ताम् शाखाम् शत योजनाम् || ३-३५-३१
भग्नम् आदाय वेगेन तौ च उभौ गज कच्छपौ |

For the sake of the grace of those sages Garuda took flight from that tree, grasping that broken tree-branch of a hundred yojana length along with those pendulous sages with his beak, and both of the elephant and tortoise with both of his claws. [3-35-31b, 32a]

31b, 32a. garuDaH = Garuda; teSaam dayaaartham = for their, grace’s sake; shata yojanaam taam bhagnam shaakhaam = of hundred, yojana-length, that, broken, tree-branch; tau ubhau gaja kacChapau ca = those, two, elephant, tortoise also; aadaaya = on taking; vegena [jagaama] = quickly, [he went – to relocate the sages – verse finishes later.]

Verse 32b & 33

एक पादेन धर्म आत्मा भक्षयित्वा तत् आमिषम् || ३-३५-३२
निषाद विषयम् हत्वा शाखया पतगोत्तमः |
प्रहर्षम् अतुलम् लेभे मोक्षयित्वा महामुनीन् || ३-३५-३३

That virtue-souled Garuda consumed the meat of his prays, namely the elephant and the giant tortoise with a single foot, and destroyed the province of tribesmen with the same broken tree branch, and thus that supreme bird Garuda gained an incomparable happiness in rescuing those great-sages. [3-35-32b, 33]

32b, 33. dharmaaatmaa = virtue-souled one; pataga uttamaH = among birds, the best – supreme bird Garuda; tat aamiSam = that, meat [of elephant and tortoise]; eka paadena bhakSayitvaa = with one, foot, having consumed; shaakhayaa = with tree branch; niSaada viSayam hatvaa = tribesmen’s, province, having destroyed; mahaa muniin mokSayitvaa = great-sages, having released, rescued – in a safe place; atulam praharSam lebhe = incomparable, happiness, he gained.

Verse 34

स तेन तु प्रहर्षेण द्विगुणी कृत विक्रमः |
अमृत आनयनार्थम् वै चकार मतिमान् मतिम् || ३-३५-३४

When his valour has become twice as much with that happiness that heedful Garuda indeed resolved to bring ambrosia from heaven. [3-35-34]

34. matimaan = heedful one; saH = he that Garuda; tena praharSeNa tu = with that, happiness but; dvi guNii kR^ita vikramaH = with two, multiplied – double, rendered, valour – his valour became twice as much – as sages blessed for rescuing them; amR^ita aanayana artham vai = ambrosia, bringing – from heaven, for the purpose of, indeed; cakaara matim = made, his mind – resolved.

Verse 35

अयो जालानि निर्मथ्य भित्त्वा रत्न गृहम् वरम् |
महेन्द्र भवनात् गुप्तम् आजहार अमृतम् ततः || ३-३५-३५

Smashing the guard of iron-grid completely and crashing the unbreakable diamond -like strongroom in which the ambrosia is safeguarded, then Garuda carried off ambrosia from the palace of Indra. [3-35-35]

35. ayaH jaalaani = iron-grid guard; nir mathya = completely, on smashing; ratna varam gR^iham bhittvaa = unbreakable like – diamond, best – strong, room, on crashing; tataH = then; mahendra bhavanaat = Mahendra’s, from palace; guptam = safeguarded; amR^itam aajahaara = ambrosia, plundered.

Verse 36

तम् महर्षि गणैः जुष्टम् सुपर्ण कृत लक्षणम् |
नाम्ना सुभद्रम् न्यग्रोधम् ददर्श धनद अनुजः || ३-३५-३६

Ravana on his way saw such a banyan tree named as Subhadra which is a much sought after tree for assemblages of great sages, and which betokens the deeds of that best-winged Garuda. [3-35-36]

36. dhanada anujaH = Kubera’s, brother Ravana; maharSi gaNaiH juSTam = at it [tree,] great-sages, by assemblages of, sought-after; suparNa kR^ita lakSaNam = by best-winged Garuda, deed, signs – betokens Garuda’s actions; naamnaa subhadram = by name, Subhadra – named as; tam nyagrodham dadarsha = that, banyan tree, Ravana saw – and proceeded.

Verse 37

तम् तु गत्वा परम् पारम् समुद्रस्य नदी पतेः |
ददर्श आश्रमम् एकांते पुण्ये रम्ये वनांतरे || ३-३५-३७

On going to the other side of the lord of rivers, namely ocean, Ravana saw a pleasing hermitage in the sacred and scenic interior of the forest. [3-35-37]

37. nadii pateH samudrasya = rivers, lord, of ocean; tam param paaram = to its, other, shore; gatvaa = on going; ramye puNye vana antare = scenic, sacred, in forest, interiors of; kaante = pleasing [or, ekaante = in solitude]; aashramam dadarsha = hermitage, Ravana saw.

Verse 38

तत्र कृष्ण अजिन धरम् जटा वल्कल धारिणम् |
ददर्श नियत आहारम् मारीचम् नाम राक्षसम् || ३-३५-३८

At that place Ravana saw the demon named Maareecha, wearing jute-clothes and black deerskin and tufts of hairs, and the one with regulated diet. [3-35-38]

38. tatra = at that place,; kR^iSNa ajina dharam = black, deer-skin, wearing; jaTaa valkala dhaariNam = tufts of hair, jute-cloths, wearing one; niyata aahaaram = one with controlled, diet; maariicam naama raakSasam = Maareecha, named, demon; dadarsha = Ravana saw.

Verse 39

स रावणः समागम्य विधिवत् तेन रक्षसा |
मारीचेन अर्चितो राजा सर्व कामैः अमानुषैः || ३-३५-३९

That demon Maareecha welcomed the king Ravana and customarily entertained him catering all the offerings that are beyond the scope of humans. [3-35-39]

39. raajaa saH raavaNaH = king, he that, Ravana; samaagamya = is approached – welcomed by Maareecha; rakSasaa tena maariicena = by demon, that, Maareecha; a maanuSaiH = with super, humanly [not subhuman]; sarva kaamaiH = with all, offerings; vidhivat arcitaH = customarily, Ravana is adored – entertained.

Verse 40

तम् स्वयम् पूजयित्वा च भोजनेन उदकेन च |
अर्थोपहितया वाचा मारीचो वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् || ३-३५-४०

On personally offering meals and drinking water, and venerating him properly Maareecha spoke this sentence to Ravana which is connotative of significance. [3-35-40]

40. maariicaH = Maareecha; tam = him [Ravana]; bhojanena udakena ca = with meals, and with drinking water [offering]; svayam puujayitvaa ca = in person, venerating – entertaining, also; artha upahitayaa vaacaa = with significance, connotative, with words; vaakyam abraviit = sentence, spoke.

Verse 41

कच्चित् ते कुशलम् राजन् लंकायाम् राक्षसेश्वर |
केन अर्थेन् पुनः त्वम् वै तूर्णम् एव इह आगतः || ३-३५-४१

“Oh, king of the demons, is everything well with your Lanka? Oh, king, for what reason you have put in an appearance again, that too in a trice? [3-35-41]

41. raakshasa iishvara = oh, demons, king; te lankaayaam kushalam kaccit = in your, Lanka, safe, isn’t it; raajan = oh, king; tvam kena arthena = you, by which, reason; punaH tuurNam eva iha aagataH = again, in a trice, only, here, came.

Verse 42

एवम् उक्तो महातेजा मारीचेन स रावण |
ततः पश्चात् इदम् वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् वाक्य कोविदः || ३-३५-४२

When Maareecha spoke to him thus, that highly radiant and eloquent Ravana then afterwards spoke this sentence to Maareecha. [3-35-42]

42. maariicena = by Maareecha; evam uktaH = thus, who is spoken to; mahaatejaa vaakya kovidaH = highly radiant one, sentence making, expert in – eloquent one; saH raavaNa = he, that Ravana; tataH pashcaat = then, after; idam vaakyam abraviit = this, sentence, spoke [to Maareecha.]

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