Introduction

Ravana praises Seetha’s beauty by extolling every limb of hers, though he enters like a Brahman sanyaasi, a friar. He indulges in a most untoward laudation that is unbefitting for a saintly and elderly almsman. Unable to refute him, because he is in such a pious garb, she had to invite him as an untimely guest.

Verse 1

तया परुषम् उक्तः तु कुपितो राघव अनुजः |
स विकांक्षन् भृशम् रामम् प्रतस्थे न चिरात् इव || ३-४६-१

Raghava’s younger brother Lakshmana is very much infuriated at Seetha who spoke to him rudely, as such he journeyed towards Rama at once as though he is yearning to see Rama immediately, albeit his heart wanted him to stand guard to Seetha. [3-46-1]

1. tayaa = by her [Seetha]; paruSam uktaH = rudely, who is spoken to [Lakshmana]; saH raaghava anujaH = he, Raghava’s, younger brother; kupitaH = is infuriated; bhR^isham = very much; vi kaankSan = verily, yearning [to see Rama]; na ciraat iva = not, lately [at once]; raamam pratasthe = towards Rama, journeyed.

Verse 2

तदा आसाद्य दशग्रीवः क्षिप्रम् अंतरम् आस्थितः |
अभिचक्राम वैदेहीम् परिव्राजक रूप धृक् || ३-४६-२

Quickly taking hold of intervallic time then the ten-headed Ravana approached Vaidehi adopting an aspect of a sanyaasi, a meandering Brahman friar. [3-46-2]

2. antaram aasthitaH = interval [opportunity,] taking hold of; dasha griivaH = ten, throated [headed one, Ravana]; tadaa aasaadya = then, on getting it – opportunity; pari vraajaka = roundabout, moving [Brahman] sanyaasi [meandering friar]; ruupa dhR^ik [dhR^it] = aspect, adopting [wearing]; kSipram = quickly; vaidehiim abhicakraama = to Vaidehi, moved towards – approached.

Verse 3 & 4a

श्लक्ष्ण काषाय संवीतः शिखी चत्री उपानही |
वामे च अंसे अवसज्य अथ शुभे यष्टि कमण्डलू || ३-४६-३
परिव्राजक रूपेण वैदेहीम् अन्ववर्तत |

That sanyaasi is now cloaked in smooth silky saffron, his head-hair is neatly tufted, sandals are wooden, umbrella is on right shoulder, and on his left shoulder a shaft of sanyaasi is shouldered, onto which his handy water vessel is hooked, and he proceeded towards Vaidehi in a mien of meandering sanyaasi. [3-46-3, 4a]

3, 4a. atha = now; shlakSNa kaaSaaya samviitaH [tat parivraajakaH] = smooth [silky,] saffron, enwrapped in [cloaked in] [that sanyaasi is]; shikhii = with tufted head-hair; chatrii = with an umbrella; upaanahii = with [wooden] sandals; vaame amse = on left, shoulder; shubhe yaSTi kamaNDaluu = auspicious, sanyaasi’s shaft, handy water-vessel; avasajya = arranged [hooked – water vessel hooked to hand-shaft]; parivraajaka ruupeNa = with meandering sanyaasi’s, mien; vaidehiim anvavartata = towards Vaidehi, approached to.

Verse 4b & 5a

ताम् आससाद अतिबलो भ्रातृभ्याम् रहिताम् वने || ३-४६-४
रहिताम् सूर्य चन्द्राभ्याम् संध्याम् इव महत् तमः |

As with a pitchiest gloom overcoming the sunless and moonless lively eventide, that great-mighty Ravana came over to Vaidehi in that forest, when she is without two of the brothers, namely Rama and Lakshmana. [3-46-4b, 5a]

4b, 5a. ati balaH = great-mighty – Ravana; vane bhraatR^ibhyaam rahitaam = in forest, two brothers, without – she who is – Seetha; taam = her; suurya candraabhyaam rahitaam = sun, moon [either of them,] without; sandhyaam = [lively] eventide; mahat tamaH = great, darkness – overpowering an evening; iva = like; Ravana; aasasaada = reached.

Verse 5b & 6a

ताम् अपश्यत् ततो बालाम् राज पुत्रीम् यशस्विनीम् || ३-४६-५
रोहिणीम् शशिना हीनाम् ग्रहवत् भृश दारुणः |

As a sinister planet looks over Star Rohini when she is devoid of Moon, that extremely sinister Ravana then looked over the glorious and youthful princess Seetha. [3-46-5b, 6a]

5b, 6a. tataH = then; bhR^isha daaruNaH = extremely, sinister [planet, as well as Ravana]; yashasviniim = glorious one; raaja putriim = king’s, daughter – princess; baalaam = of young age – youthful one; taam = her [at Seetha]; shashinaa hiinaam rohiNiim = by Moon, devoid of, at Star Rohini; grahavat = like a [bad] planet; [yathaa = as with]; apashyat = [Ravana] has seen.

Verse 6b & 7a

तम् उग्रम् पाप कर्माणम् जनस्थान गता द्रुमाः || ३-४६-६
संदृश्य न प्रकंपन्ते न प्रवाति च मारुतः |

On observing ferocious Ravana whose activities are iniquitous, the trees of Janasthaana are not in full sway, nor the wind is in full swing. [3-46-6b, 7a]

6b, 7a. ugram paapa karmaaNam = Ravana who is with – ferocity, with iniquitous, activities; tam samdR^ishya = him, on observing; janasthaana gataa drumaaH = in Janasthaana, gone in [existing in,] trees; na pra kampante = are not, in full, sway; maarutaH ca = wind, also; na pra vaati = not, in full, swing.

Verse 7b & 8a

शीघ्र स्रोताः च तम् दृष्ट्वा वीक्षंतम् रक्त लोचनम् || ३-४६-७
स्तिमितम् गंतुम् आरेभे भयात् गोदावरी नदी |

On seeing him who is seeing with his bloodshot eyes, River Godavari too is frightened and started to rush off quietly, whose onrush will be rapid otherwise. [3-46-7b, 8a]

7b, 8a. shiighra srotaaH ca = rapid, with onrushes, also; godaavarii nadii = Godavari, river; rakta locanam viikSantam = with bloodshot, eyes, one who is looking about; tam dR^iSTvaa = him, on seeing; bhayaat = from fright; stimitam gantum aarebhe = quietly, to go [to rush off,] started to.

Verse 8b & 9a

रामस्य तु अंतरम् प्रेप्सुः दशग्रीवः तत् अंतरे || ३-४६-८
उपतस्थे च वैदेहीम् भिक्षु रूपेण रावणः |

In the meanwhile the Decahedron demon Ravana, who is all the while waiting for some lapse of Rama, neared Vaidehi in the getup of a sanyaasi. [3-46-8b, 9a]

8b, 9a. raamasya tu = Rama’s, but – some [lapse or the other]; antaram prepsuH = lapse – misstep, waiting for; dashagriivaH = ten, throated one – Decahedron; raavaNaH = Ravana; tat antare = in that, meanwhile; bhikSu ruupeNa = sanyaasi, in the getup of; vaidehiim upatasthe = to Vaidehi neared.

Verse 9b & 10a

अभव्यो भव्य रूपेण भर्तारम् अनुशोचतीम् || ३-४६-९
अभ्यवर्तत वैदेहीम् चित्राम् इव शनैश्चरः |

That disgraceful Ravana made advances in a graceful mien of Brahman almsman to Vaidehi who is thinking over her husband, like the slow moving Saturn making advance to Star Citra which will be ominous. [3-46-9b, 10a]

9b, 10a. a bhavyaH = not, proper – disgraceful Ravana; bhartaaram anushocatiim vaidehiim = of husband, who is thinking over, to Vaidehi; bhavya ruupeNa = proper, in mien [graceful mien of a Brahman almsman]; shanaiH caraH = slower, mover – slow moving Saturn; citraam iva = to Star Citra, as with; abhyavartata = made advances to.

Verse 10b & 11a

सहसा भव्य रूपेण तृणैः कूप इव आवृतः || ३-४६-१०
अतिष्ठत् प्रेक्ष्य वैदेहीम् राम पत्नीम् यशस्विनीम् |

Like a wellspring shrouded by grass, enshrouded in a decent getup of a Brahman friar, in a trice Ravana leeringly stood before of Vaidehi, the admirable wife of Rama. [3-46-10b, 11a]

10b, 11a. kuupaH tR^iNaiH [aavR^itaH] iva = wellspring, by grass, shrouded, like; bhavya ruupeNa aavR^itaH = decent, in getup, enshrouded [Ravana]; yashasviniim raama patniim vaidehiim = admirable, Rama, wife of, Vaidehi; prekSya = seeing her [leering her]; sahasaa atiSThat = in a trice, stood – in her fore.

Verse 11b, 12 & 13

तिष्टन् संप्रेक्ष्य च तदा पत्नीम् रामस्य रावण || ३-४६-११
शुभाम् रुचिर दन्त ओष्ठीम् पूर्ण चन्द्र निभ आननाम् |
आसीनाम् पर्णशालायाम् बाष्प शोक अभिपीडिताम् || ३-४६-१२
स ताम् पद्म पलाश अक्षीम् पीत कौशेय वासिनीम् |
अभ्यगच्छत वैदेहीम् हृष्ट चेता निशा चरः || ३-४६-१३

While standing before her then Ravana eyed at the auspicious wife of Rama, whose lips and teeth are fine, visage is shiny like a full moon, and who is presently tortured by her tearful lamentation and sitting in the straw-cottage, and he approached that lotus-petal eyed Vaidehi who is dressed in ochry silks, as that night-walker is gladdened at his heart for her solitude. [3-46-11b, 12,13]

11b, 12. tadaa = then; raavaNaH = Ravana; raamasya patniim = at Rama’s, wife; tiSTan sam prekshya = while standing, eyed; hR^iSTa [duSTa] cetaa = gladdened [wicked,] hearted one; saH nishaa caraH = he, night, walker [Ravana]; shubhaam = at her – auspicious one; rucira danta oSThiim = having fine, teeth, lips; puurNa candra nibha aananaam = full, moon, shiny, visaged one; parNa shaalaayaam aasiinaam = in straw, cottage, who is seated; baaSpa shoka abhipiiDitaam = tears, lamentation, tortured by; padma palaasha akSiim = lotus, petal, eyed one; piita kausheya vaasiniim = ochry, silks, wearing; taam vaidehiim abhyagacChata = at her, Vaidehi, approached.

Verse 14

दृष्ट्वा काम शर आविद्धो ब्रह्म घोषम् उदीरयन् |
अब्रवीत् प्रश्रितम् वाक्यम् रहिते राक्षस अधिपः || ३-४६-१४

He who is hit by the arrows of Love-god that king of demons Ravana, on seeing Seetha entered resonating the resonances of Vedic-hymns as precursory in seeking alms, and spoke these well-mannered sentences to her who is in solitariness. [3-46-14]

14. kaama shara aaviddhaH = Love-god, arrows, hit by; raakSasa adhipaH = demons, king of; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing – her, Seetha; brahma ghoSam udiirayan = Vedic-hymns [said by Brahma,] resonances, uttering [resonating]; [jana] rahite = [people,] without, [to one without companions, to Seetha in solitariness]; pra shritam vaakyam abraviit = well, mannered, sentences, spoke.

Verse 15

ताम् उत्तमाम् त्रिलोकानाम् पद्म हीनाम् इव श्रियम् |
विभ्राजमानाम् वपुषा रावणः प्रशशंस ह || ३-४६-१५

Ravana really acclaimed her who is an excellent one in all the three worlds, beaming forth with the beauty of her body, and who is like Goddess Lakshmi but for Divine-lotus as Her settle, for Seetha is devoid of her settling, namely Rama. [3-46-15]

15. tri lokaanaam = in three, worlds; uttamaam = excellent one [Seetha]; padma hiinaam shriyam iva = Divine-lotus, devoid of, Goddess Lakshmi, [just] like; vapuSaa vibhraajamaanaam = with body [beauty of body, ] beaming forth; taam raavaNaH prashashamsa ha = her, Ravana, acclaimed, really.

Verse 16

का त्वम् कांचन वर्ण आभे पीत कौशेय वासिनि |
कमलानाम् शुभाम् मालाम् पद्मिनी इव च बिभ्रती || ३-४६-१६

“Glittering like the glitter of gold, silkened in ochry silks, you are like a lotus-tendril garlanded with divine lotuses as your ensemble, who are you?” Thus Ravanan started addressing Seetha [3-46-16]

16. kaancana varNa aabhe = oh, one with – gold’s, glitter, glittering; piita kausheya vaasini = ochry, in silks, silkened; padminii iva kamalaanaam = lotus-tendril, like, of lotuses; shubhaam maalaam bibhratii = divine, garland [you wear]; kaa tvam = who, you are.

Verse 17

ह्रीः श्रीः कीर्तिः शुभा लक्ष्मीः अप्सरा वा शुभ आनने |
भूतिर् वा त्वम् वराअरोहे रतिर् वा स्वैर चारिणी || ३-४६-१७

“Oh, rosy faced one, are you the personified numen of Respect, Renown or Resplendence, or the Felicitous Lakshmi herself, or oh, curvaceous one, are you a nymphal Apsara, or the numen of Benefactress, or a self-motivated woman, or Rati Devi, the consort of Manmatha, the Love God. [3-46-17]

17. shubha aanane = oh, rosy, faced one; varaaarohe = oh, curvacious one; tvam = [are] you; hriiH kiirtiH shriiH = [personified] Respect, or Renown, or Resplendence; shubhaa lakSmiiH vaa = felicitous, Lakshmi, or; apsaraa = or [nymphal] apsara; bhuutiH vaa = or Benefactress, or; svaira caariNii = or self, moving [motivated woman]; ratiH vaa = Rati, or.

Verse 18

समाः शिखरिणः स्निग्धाः पाण्डुरा दशनाः तव |
विशाले विमले नेत्रे रक्तान्ते कृष्ण तारके || ३-४६-१८

“Your teeth are evenly, smooth and their tips are like jasmine buds, and your whitish broad eyes are spotless, reddish at ends, and pupils are black. [3-46-18]

18. tava dashanaaH = your, teeth; samaaH = are evenly; shikhariNaH = have tips like jasmine buds; snigdhaaH = smooth; paaNDuraa = whitely; netre vishaale vimale = eyes, broad, spotless; rakta ante = red, at ends; kR^iSNa taarake = black, starred [irises, pupils are black.]

Verse 19 & 20

विशालम् जघनम् पीनम् ऊरू करि कर उपमौ |
एतौ उपचितौ वृत्तौ संहतौ संप्रगल्भितौ || ३-४६-१९
पीन उन्नत मुखौ कान्तौ स्निग्ध ताल फल उपमौ |
मणि प्रवेक आभरणौ रुचिरौ ते पयो धरौ || ३-४६-२०

“Your hips are beamy, thighs burly akin to elephant’s trunks, and these two breasts of yours that are ornamented with best jewellery are rotund, rubbing and bumping each other, and they are swinging up and up, their nipples are brawny and jutting out, and they are smoothish like palm-fruits, thus they are covetable for they are beautiful. [3-46-19, 20]

19, 20. vishaalam jaghanam = beamy, hips; piinam uuruu = burly, thighs; kari kara upamau = elephant’s, hand [trunk,] akin to; te = your; etau = these; maNi praveka aabharaNau = those that have – jewellery, best, ornamented; payaH dharau = milk, bearers – two breasts; upa citau = butting [rubbing each other]; vR^ittau = rotund; sam hatau = well, bumping against each; sam pragalbhitau [sam pra valgitau] = verily, unobtainable [very, well, swinging up]; piina unnata mukhau = brawny, jutting out, faces [of breasts – nipples]; kaantau = covetable; snigdha taala phala upamau = smooth, palm, fruit, like; rucirau = beautiful.

Verse 21 & 22a

चारु स्मिते चारु दति चारु नेत्रे विलासिनि |
मनो हरसि मे रामे नदी कूलम् इव अंभसा || ३-४६-२१
करान्तमित मध्या असि सुकेशी संहत स्तनी |

“Oh, allurer, your smile is alluring, teeth are alluring, and your eyes allure, oh, beauty, your waist is palmful, your hair velvety, your breasts are jostling, and you rob my soul as a spate robs riverbank. [3-46-21, 22a]

21, 22a. caaru smite = oh, on who has – alluring, smile; caaru dati = alluring, teeth; caaru netre = alluring, eyes; vilaasini = oh, allurer; raame = oh, beautiful lady [or, Raamaa, the female form of Rama]; nadii ambhasaa kuulam iva = river, by water [by spate,] riverbank [eroding,] as with; me manaH harasi = my, soul, you are robbing; kara anta mita madhyaa = hand, inside, limitable, waisted – a palmful is your waist; su keshii = good, head-hair [velvety hair]; samhata stanii asi = – jostling, breasted one, you are – breasts extrusive to each other.

Verse 22b & 23a

न एव देवी न गन्धर्वी न यक्षी न च किंनरी || ३-४६-२२
न एवम् रूपा मया नारी दृष्ट पूर्वा मही तले |

“I have not hitherto seen any earthly female with this kind of features on the face of earth; or, a goddess – no; a gandharva female – no; yaksha female – no; kinnaraa female – no, none whosoever! [3-46-22b, 23a]

22b, 23a. mayaa = by me; mahii tale = on earth’s, face; evam ruupaa naarii = this kind of, featured, woman [earthly female]; na dR^iSTa puurvaa = not, seen, earlier [hither to]; devii = a goddess; na eva = not [seen,] in that way; gandharvii na = gandharva female, no; yakSii na = yaksha female, no; kinnarii na = kinnara female, no.

Verse 23b & 24a

रूपम् अग्र्यम् च लोकेषु सौकुमार्यम् वयः च ते || ३-४६-२३
इह वासः च कांतारे चित्तम् उन्मथयन्ति मे |

“I marvel why an excellent one in all the three worlds by her features, more so, fragile and youthful as yourself should be living here in the thick of forest. [3-46-23b, 24, 25a]

23b, 24a. lokeSu agryam te ruupam = in [three] worlds, excellent, by features; saukumaaryam vayaH ca = with fragility, youthfulness, also; iha kaantaare vaasaH ca = here, in thick of forest, living, also; me cittam unmathayanti [unmaadayati] = my, heart, highly stirring up [maddening, I marvel why.]

Verse 25b & 26a

सा प्रतिक्राम भद्रम् ते न त्वम् वस्तुम् इह अर्हसि || ३-४६-२४
राक्षसानाम् अयम् वासो घोराणाम् काम रूपिणाम् |

Such as you are you go back, let safety betide you, as you are unsuited to live in here, for this forest is the dwelling for ghastly demons who by their wish will be changing their guise. [3-46-24b, 25a]

25b, 26a. saa = such as you are; prati kraama = return, you go; te bhadram = to you, safety betides; iha tvam vastum na arhasi = here, to live, you, not, suitable for you [inapt of you]; ayam = this [forest]; ghoraaNaam kaama ruupiNaam = for ghastly ones, by wish, guise-changers; raakSasaanaam vaasaH = for demons, dwelling-place.

Verse 26b & 27a

वरम् माल्यम् वरम् गंधम् वरम् वस्त्रम् च शोभने || ३-४६-२६
भर्तारम् च वरम् मन्ये त्वत् युक्तम् असितेक्षणे |

Oh, beauteous lady, I opine that only best garlands, best scents, best foodstuffs, best clothing are meetly to you, oh, lady with black pupils, hence it is meet and right to you to have a best husband.

26b, 27a. a sita iikSaNe = not, white, one with eyes – oh, one with blackish eyes; shobhane = oh, beauteous one; varam maalyam = best, garlands; varam gandham [bhojyam] = best, scent [foodstuffs]; varam vastram ca = best, clothing, also; varam bhartaaram ca = best, husband, also; tvat yuktam = to you, meetly; manye = I opine.

Verse 27b & 28a

का त्वम् भवसि रुद्राणाम् मरुताम् वा शुचिस्मिते || ३-४६-२७
वसूनाम् वा वराअरोहे देवता प्रतिभासि मे |

“Oh, curvaceous lady, who are you? Oh, one with an impeccable smile, do you belong to Rudraa-gods, or Marut-gods, or to Vasu-s? To me you are beaming forth like a goddess. [3-46-27b, 28a]

27b, 28a. shuci smite = oh, one with impeccable smile; varaaarohe = oh, lay with best midriff – a curvaceous one; tvam kaa bhavasi = you, who, are; rudraaNaam = among Rudraa-gods; marutaam vaa = of Marut-gods, or; vasuunaam vaa = of Vasu-s, or; me devataa pratibhaasi = to me, as goddess, you are beaming forth to me.

Verse 28b & 29a

न इह गच्छंति गंधर्वा न देवा न च किन्नराः || ३-४६-२८
राक्षसानाम् अयम् वासः कथम् तु त्वम् इह आगता |

“This is the dwelling-place of demons, and no goddess, nor a gandharva, nor a kinnara can arrive here, but how you have come here? [3-46-28b, 29a]

28b, 29a. iha gandharvaa na gacChanti = here, gandharva-s, not, they go – arrive; devaa na = gods, no; kinnaraaH ca na = kinnaraa-s, also, no; ayam raakSasaanaam vaasaH = this is, for demons, dwelling-place; tvam katham iha aagataa = you, how, to here, have come.

Verse 29b & 30a

इह शाखामृगाः सिंहा द्वीपि व्याघ्र मृगाः तथा || ३-४६-२९
ऋक्षाः तरक्षवः कंकाः कथम् तेभ्यो न बिभ्यसे |

“Here, simians, lions, leopards, tigers, likewise other predators, bears, tigers, vultures will be moving. How you are not frightened from them? [3-46-29b, 30a]

29b, 30a. iha = here; shaakh aamR^igaaH = tree-branch, animals [simians]; simhaa dviipi vyaaghra = lions, leopards, tigers; tathaa = likewise; mR^igaaH = predators; R^ikSaaH tarakSavaH kankaaH [caranti] = bears, tigers, vultures, [will be moving]; tebhyaH katham na bibhyase = from them, how, not, frightened you are.

Verse 30b & 31a

मद अन्वितानाम् घोराणाम् कुंजराणाम् तरस्विनाम् || ३-४६-३०
कथम् एका महारण्ये न बिभेषि वराअनने |

“Being alone in this forest, oh, lady with a lovely face, how you are unafraid of horrendous and mighty elephants possessed of rut? [3-46-30b, 31a]

30b, 31a. vara aanane = oh, best faced one; mahaa araNye = in great forest; mada anvitaanaam = rut, possessing; ghoraaNaam = horrendous ones; tarasvinaam = mighty ones; kunjaraaNaam = from [such] elephants; ekaa katham na bibheSi = a lonely one, how, not, you are scared.

Verse 31 & 32a

का असि कस्य कुतः च त्वम् किम् निमित्तम् च दण्डकान् || ३-४६-३१
एका चरसि कल्याणि घोरान् राक्षस सेवितान् |

“Oh, auspicious lady, who are you? Whose are you? Also from where are you? And being lonely, what for you are moving in dreadful Dandaka forest that is adored by demons?” Thus Ravana spoke to Seetha. [3-46-31, 32b]

31, 32b. kalyaaNi = oh, auspicious lady; tvam = you; kaa asi = who, are you; kasya = whose – to whom you belong; kutaH ca = from where, also- you have come; raakSasa sevitaan ghoraan daNDakaan = by demons, adored, dreadful, Dandaka forest; ekaa = lonely; kim nimittam carasi = for what, reason, you move about.

Verse 32b & 33

का असि कस्य कुतः च त्वम् किम् निमित्तम् च दण्डकान् || ३-४६-३१
एका चरसि कल्याणि घोरान् राक्षस सेवितान् |

“Oh, auspicious lady, who are you? Whose are you? Also from where are you? And being lonely, what for you are moving in dreadful Dandaka forest that is adored by demons?” Thus Ravana spoke to Seetha. [3-46-31, 32b]

31, 32b. kalyaaNi = oh, auspicious lady; tvam = you; kaa asi = who, are you; kasya = whose – to whom you belong; kutaH ca = from where, also- you have come; raakSasa sevitaan ghoraan daNDakaan = by demons, adored, dreadful, Dandaka forest; ekaa = lonely; kim nimittam carasi = for what, reason, you move about.

Verse 34

उपानीय आसनम् पूर्वम् पाद्येन अभिनिमंत्र्य च |
अब्रवीत् सिद्धम् इति एव तदा तम् सौम्य दर्शनम् || ३-४६-३४

She firstly fetched a seat him, then invited him with water for feet-wash, and then said to him who looked gracious in his bearing, ‘alms are ready.’ [3-46-34]

34. tadaa = then; puurvam aasanam upaaniiya = firstly, seat, on fetching; paadyena abhinimantrya ca = with water, invited, also; saumya darshanam = he who has – gracious, bearing; [bhiksha] siddham iti eva = [food, alms] ready, thus, only; abraviit = said to him.

Verse 35

द्विजाति वेषेण समीक्ष्य मैथिली
तम् आगतम् पात्र कुसुंभ धारिणम् |
अशक्यम् उद्द्वेष्टुम् उपाय दर्शनान्
न्यमंत्रयत् ब्राह्मणवत् यथा आगतम् || ३-४६-३५

Maithili explored him who arrived with the features of a Brahman, with a saffron-robe and alms-bowl, and finding no reason to refute him flatly, as he has come like a Brahman, she invited him as a Brahman.

35. tadaa = then; maithilii = Maithili; dvijaati veSeNa = in Brahman’s, getup of; aagatam = who has arrived; paatra kusumbha dhaariNam = a vessel [alms-bowl,] saffron-robe [or, kamaDulu, handy vessel, as the word kusumbha means doubly, robe is taken here,] wearing; ud dveSTum = to flatly refute [irrefutable appearance]; a shakyam = not, possible one – not a rejectable one; upaaya [a] darshanaan [apaaya a darshanam] = idea [reason,] [not,] found [danger, not, seen = one in an unimperilling appearance]; samiikSya = on exploring – him;braahmaNa vat = a Brahman, like; yathaa aagatam = as, he came nyamantrayat = invited.

Verse 36

इयम् बृसी ब्राह्मण कामम् आस्यताम्
इदम् च पाद्यम् प्रतिगृह्यताम् इति |
इदम् च सिद्धम् वन जातम् उत्तमम्
त्वत् अर्थम् अव्यग्रम् इह उपभुज्यताम् ३-४६-३६

“Oh, Brahman, this is the Darbha-grass-seat and you be seated comfortably, here is water, receive it for hand and feet wash, here is the forest grown victuals for your sake… dine on them relaxedly…” Thus Seetha said to Ravana. [3-46-36]

36. braahmaNa = oh, Brahman; iyam bR^isii = this is, Darbha-mat; kaamam aasyataam = comfortably, be seated; idam paadyam pratigR^ihyataam = here is, water, receive it; iti = thus on saying; idam uttamam vana jaatam = here is, best, in forest, produce [fruits, tubers, victuals]; tvat artham siddham = for your, sake, ready; iha avyagram upabhujyataam = now, relaxedly, be dined on.

Verse 38

ततः सुवेषम् मृगया गतम् पतिम्
प्रतीक्षमाणा सह लक्ष्मणम् तदा |
निरीक्षमाणा हरितम् ददर्श तत्
महद् वनम् न एव तु राम लक्ष्मणौ || ३-४६-३८

Then she looked forward for her shapely husband who has gone on a hunting game, and who must be returning along with Lakshmana, and though she looked intently she could only see the green backdrop of that great forest, but not Rama or Lakshmana. [3-46-38]

38. tataH = then; su veSam = beautiful, bodied one – shapely Rama; mR^igayaa gatam = for hunting, who has gone; saha lakSmaNam = with Lakshmana – one who ought to return with Lakshmana, or, Lakshmana who might be returning; patim prati ikSamaaNaa = husband, towards, one who is waiting for – Seetha; tadaa = thus; niriikSamaaNaa [vi viikkshamaaNaa] = gazing at [or, seeing all sides]; haritam tat mahat vanam dadarsha = greenery, that, great, forest’s, she saw; raama lakSmaNau tu = Rama, Lakshmana, but; na eva = not, thus – she saw.

Verse 37

निमंत्र्यमाणः प्रतिपूर्ण भाषिणीम्
नरेन्द्र पत्नीम् प्रसमीक्ष्य मैथिलीम् |
प्रसह्य तस्या हरणे धृढम् मनः
समर्पयामास आत्म वधाय रावणः || ३-४६-३७

Ravana thoroughly observed that wife of the king, Maithili, when she invited him talking civilities contextual in inviting a guest, that too Brahman sanyasi, and he firmed up his mind to abduct her even forcibly, and started to dedicate himself for destruction. [3-46-37]

37. nimantryamaaNaH = one who is being invited; raavaNaH = Ravana; prati puurNa bhaaSiNiim = in turn, thoroughly, talking [talking civilities contextually]; narendra patniim maithiliim = king’s, wife, at Maithili; pra samiikSya = on thoroughly, observing; [sva] aatma vadhaaya = [his own,] himself, for destruction of; prasahya = [even] forcibly; tasyaa haraNe = in her, abduction; manaH dhR^iDham samarpayaamaasa = mind, firmly, started to dedicate.