Introduction
Ravana vaingloriously extols himself and tempts Seetha with all impossible comforts and luxuries, if she obliges him and comes to Lanka with him, leaving Rama. She curtly dismisses all his baiting and luring.
Verse 1
एवम् ब्रुवत्याम् सीतायाम् संरब्धः परुष अक्षरम् |
ललाटे भ्रुकुटीम् कृत्वा रावणः प्रति उवाच ह || ३-४८-१
When Seetha spoke thus Ravana is embittered, and knitting his eyebrows he indeed spoke these rudish words to Seetha. [3-48-1]
1. siitaayaam evam bruvatyaam = to such Seetha, thus, she who is speaking; raavaNaH samrabdhaH = Ravana, embittered; lalaaTe bhru kuTiim kR^itvaa = on forehead, eyebrow, folding, on making; paruSa akSaram prati uvaaca ha = rude, words, in reply, spoke, indeed.
Verse 2
भ्राता वैश्रवणस्य अहम् सापत्नो वरवर्णिनि |
रावणो नाम भद्रम् ते दशग्रीवः प्रतापवान् || ३-४८-२
“I am known as Ravana, oh, lady with superb complexion, let safety betide you, the highly valorous and ten-headed stepbrother of Kubera. [3-48-2]
2. vara varNini = oh, lady of superb, complexion; aham vaishravaNasya saapatnaH bhraataa = I am, of Vaishravana [Kubera’s,] from stepmother, brother – stepbrother; dasha griivaH = one who is – ten, faced; prataapavaan = one who is – highly valorous one; raavaNaH naama = Ravana, known as; te bhadram = to you, let there be safety.
Verse 3
यस्य देवाः स गंधर्वाः पिशाच पतग उरगाः |
विद्रवन्ति भयात् भीता मृत्योः इव सदा प्रजाः || ३-४८-३
“I am that Ravana at whose sight all the gods together with gandharva-s, evil-spirits, birds and snakes will always be frightened and fleeing, as with the people frightened and fleeing from death. [3-48-3]
3. prajaaH = people; mR^ityoH iva = by death, as with; yasya bhayaat bhiitaa = from whose, fear, frightened – at whose very sight; sa gandharvaaH = along with, gandharva-s; devaaH pishaaca pataga uragaaH = gods, together evil-spirits, birds, snakes; sadaa vi dravanti = always, verily, running away; I am that Ravana.
Verse 4
येन वैश्रवणो भ्राता वैमात्रः कारणांतरे |
द्वन्द्वम् आसादितः क्रोधात् रणे विक्रम्य निर्जितः || ३-४८-४
“I am that Ravana who when infuriated for some other reason took up a duel with Kubera, his brother from stepparent, wherein that Kubera is set up against and completely trounced in a combat. [3-48-4]
4. yena = by whom; kaaraNa antare = for reason, another; krodhaat = infuriately; dvandvam aasaaditaH = duel, one who obtained – Kubera; vaimaatraH bhraataa = one from stepparent, brother; vaishravaNaH = Vaishravana [Kubera,]; raNe vikramya ni rjitaH = in combat, setting upon, completely trounced.
Verse 5
मत् भय आर्तः परित्यज्य स्वम् अधिष्ठानम् ऋद्धिमत् |
कैलासम् पर्वत श्रेष्ठम् अध्यास्ते नर वाहनः || ३-४८-५
“I am that Ravana by whom Kubera, the god for Wealth-Management whose vehicular transport is handled by humans, is tormented fearfully and made to completely abandon his wealthiest place which is presided over by him till then, and I am the one who made that Kubera to flee to the excellent Mt. Kailash where he is somehow living, because I will not cause any harm on Mt. Kailash as I hold it sacred. [3-48-5]
5. nara vaahanaH = one who has – humans, as vehicular transport – Kubera; yat bhaya aartaH = by whom, fearfully, [Kubera is] tormented; R^iddhimat = wealthiest [place]; svam adhiSThaanam = his own [Kubera’s place] presided over place; pari tyajya completely, abandoning; parvata shreSTham kailaasam adhyaaste = mountain, excellent, on Kailash, living.
Verse 6
यस्य तत् पुष्पकम् नाम विमानम् कामगम् शुभम् |
वीर्याद् आवर्जितम् भद्रे येन यामि विहायसम् || ३-४८-६
“I am that Ravana, oh, auspicious lady, who just by his valour acquired Kubera’s auspicious aircraft known as Pushpaka, whose pilotage is just by the wish of its aviator, with which I will be travelling in skies. [3-48-6]
6. bhadre = oh, auspicious lady; yasya = whose [Kubera’s]; tat puSpakam naama = that, Pushpaka, known as; kaama gam = by wish, piloted; shubham = an auspicious [aircraft]; vimaanam = aircraft; viiryaat = by valour; aavarjitam = acquired; yena vihaayasam yaami = by which, in sky, I travel.
Verse 7
मम संजात रोषस्य मुखम् दृष्ट्वा एव मैथिलि |
विद्रवन्ति परित्रस्ताः सुराः शक्र पुरोगमाः || ३-४८-७
“Just by seeing rancour-shot face of mine, oh, Maithili, all the gods will quickly shoot off, even if Indra is leading them, then where is the question of their confronting me. [3-48-7]
7. maithil = oh, Maithili; sanjaata roSasya = shot up, with rancour; mama mukham = my, face; dR^iSTvaa eva = seeing, just by; pari trastaaH = highly, frightened; shakra purogamaaH suraaH = with Indra, at their fore – as leader, [all] gods; vi dravanti = quickly, running away.
Verse 8
यत्र तिष्ठामि अहम् तत्र मारुतो वाति शन्कितः |
तीव्र अंशुः शिशिर अंशुः च भयात् संपद्यते रविः || ३-४८-८
“Where I will be staying there the Air-god wafts doubtfully, lest his gusts and blasts may hurt me, and the Sun also effectuates his singeing sunbeams as cooling moonbeams, lest I may abduct his wife Prabha, the Sunshine. [3-48-8]
8. aham yatra tiSThaami = I am, where, staying; tatra = there; maarutaH shankitaH vaati = Air-god, doubtfully, wafts; tiivra amshuH raviH ca = one with singeing, sunbeams, Sun, also; bhayaat = by fear; shishira amshuH sampadyate = cooling, moonbeams, he obtains [effectuates].
Verse 9
निष्कंप पत्राः तरवो नद्यः च स्तिमित उदकाः |
भवन्ति यत्र तत्र अहम् तिष्ठामि च चरामि च || ३-४८-९
“At places where I will be staying or freely moving there the leaves of trees will be less of rustle, lest I may wilt them up, and there the gush of water of rivers too will quieten, lest I may dry them up. [3-48-9]
9. aham yatra tatra tiSThaami = I, where, and where, am staying; ca caraami ca = freely, moving, also; there; taravaH = trees – will become; niS kampa patraaH = without, rustle, of leaves; nadyaH ca = rivers, also; stimita udakaaH = with quiet, waters; bhavanti = they become [they quieten.]
Verse 10
मम पारे समुद्रस्य लंका नाम पुरी शुभा |
संपूर्णा राक्षसैः घोरैः यथा इन्द्रस्य अमरावती || ३-४८-१०
“My magnificent city known as Lanka is there on the other shore of the ocean, plethoric with all kinds of amenities, as well as with ghastly demons, which city will be on par with Indra’s Amaravati, but for meekly gods and meaningless souls. [3-48-10]
10. ghoraiH raakSasaiH sampuurNaa = with ghastly, demons, plethoric; lankaa naama = Lanka, known as; shubhaa = magnificent one; indrasya amaraavatii yathaa = Indra’s, Amaravati, on par with; mama purii = my, city; samudrasya paare = of ocean, on other shore is there.
Verse 11
प्राकारेण परिक्षिप्ता पाण्डुरेण विराजिता |
हेम कक्ष्या पुरी रम्या वैदूर्यमय तोरणा || ३-४८-११
“That gorgeous city is completely walled in with compound walls that are adorned with whitish silver, and its palace-chambers are golden, and its archways are fully jewelled with lapis jewels. [3-48-11]
11. ramyaa purii = that gorgeous, city; paaNDureNa viraajitaa praakaareNa pari kSiptaa = with whitish [silver wall,] adorned, with compound walls, completely, covered; hema kakSyaa = with golden, chambers; vaiduurya maya toraNaa = full of lapis jewelled, with archways.
Verse 12
हस्ति अश्व रथ संभाधा तूर्य नाद विनादिता |
सर्व काम फलैः वृक्षैः संकुल उद्यान भूषिता || ३-४८-१२
“It is encumbered with elephants, horses and chariots, well sounded by the sounds of trumpets, and with trees which yield fruits that fulfil all the savours, and it is bedecked with chirrupy pleasure-gardens. [3-48-12]
12. hasti ashva ratha sambhaadhaa = elephants, horses, chariots, trodden are its streets [encumbered]; tuurya naada vinaaditaa = with trumpet’s, sounds, verily sounded; sarva kaama phalaiH vR^ikSaiH = all, cherishes [savours,] with fruits, with trees; sankula udyaana bhuuSitaa = chirruping, pleasure-garden, bedecked with.
Verse 13
तत्र त्वम् वस हे सीते राजपुत्रि मया सह |
न स्मरिष्यसि नारीणाम् मानुषीणाम् मनस्विनि || ३-४८-१३
“Oh, princess, oh, self-respectful lady, if you reside there together with me, hè, Seetha, then you will not think of yourself as one from among human females. [3-48-13]
13. raaja putri = oh, king’s, daughter – princess; manasvini = oh, self-respectful lady; hè, siite = Seetha; tatra = there – in Lanka; mayaa saha = me, along with; tvam vasa = you, reside, [or, sojourn, stop over]; maanuSiiNaam naariiNaam na smariSyasi = among females, as one among human [females,] not, you think.
Verse 14
भुंजाना मानुषान् भोगान् दिव्यान् च वरवर्णिनि |
न स्मरिष्यसि रामस्य मानुषस्य गत आयुषः || ३-४८-१४
“Revelling in humanly luxuries, over and beyond in heavenly luxuries also, you will not recollect humanly Rama, whose longevity is lessened. [3-48-14]
14. vara varNini = oh, superb, complexioned one; maanuSaan bhogaan = humanly, luxuries; divyaan [bhogaan ] ca = heavenly, [luxuries,] also; bhunjaanaa = revelling in; maanuSasya gata aayuSaH raamasya = of human, with lessened, longevity, of Rama; na smariSyasi = not, you, recollect.
Verse 15
स्थापयित्वा प्रियम् पुत्रम् राज्ञा दशरथेन यः |
मन्द वीर्यः सुतो ज्येष्ठः ततः प्रस्थापितो वनम् || ३-४८-१५
“Though Rama is the eldest son, king Dasharatha established his dear son Bharata as king, and because Rama is spineless he is put to flight to forests, and now, what is he and what am I, in matter of sovereignty. [3-48-15]
15. manda viiryaH = less of, bravery [spineless, because that Rama is spineless]; jyeSThaH sutaH = [though] eldest son; yaH = which Rama is – exiled; raaGYaa dasharathena = by king, by Dasharatha; priyam putram sthaapayitvaa = dear, son [Bharata,] on establishing; tataH = therefrom; vanam prasthaapitaH = to forests, put to flight.
Verse 16
तेन किम् भ्रष्ट राज्येन रामेण गत चेतसा |
करिष्यसि विशालाक्षि तापसेन तपस्विना || ३-४८-१६
“Rama is subverted from kingdom, thus dwindled is valour, thus winded down is his anima, thus he has become a pitiable one, thus he became an ascetic as nothing else is there for him to undertake, oh, broad-eyed lady, what do you aspire to do with such a Rama? [3-48-16]
16. vishaala akSi = oh, broad-eyed one; bhraSTa raajyena = subverted, from kingdom; gata cetasaa = gone is, his anima [or, dwindled is, his valour]; taapasena = simmered down [pitiable]; tapasvinaa = with an ascetic; tena raameNa kim kariSyasi = with him [with such a] Rama, what, you aspire to do.
Verse 17
सर्व राक्षस भर्तारम् कामय – कामात् – स्वयम् आगतम् |
न मन्मथ शर आविष्टम् प्रति आख्यातुम् त्वम् अर्हसि || ३-४८-१७
“I, the king of all the demons, am hit by the arrows of Love-god and came to you in love, and instead of beseeching me to love you, your rejection and speaking this way, is unapt of you.
17. [kaamaat] kaamaya = in love, [you love me]; svayam aagatam = personally, came [to you]; manmatha shara aaviSTam = Love-god’s, arrow, hit by; sarva raakSasa bhartaaram = all, demon’s, king; such as I am, me; tvam = you; prati [iva] = towards [this way]; aakhyaatum = to speak – or, pratikhyaatum = to reject; na arhasi = not, apt of you.
Verse 18
प्रति आख्याय हि माम् भीरु परितापम् गमिष्यसि |
चरणेन अभिहत्य इव पुरूरवसम् ऊर्वशी || ३-४८-१८
“Oh, modest lady, on refusing me you surely become remorseful like Uurvashi who once kicked Puruurava with her feet. [3-48-18]
18. bhiiru = oh, modest lady; maam = me; prati aakhyaaya = against, by saying [refusing]; puruuravasam = Puruurava is; caraNena abhihatya = with feet, on kicking; uurvashii iva = Uurvashi, as with; paritaapam gamiSyasi = remorse, you enter – you become remorseful.
Verse 19
अंगुल्या न समो रामो मम युद्धे स मानुषः |
तव भाग्येन् संप्राप्तम् भजस्व वरवर्णिनि || ३-४८-१९
“He that Rama is merely a human, and in war he equals me not by my finger, oh, richly colourful lady, and I chanced here merely by your serendipity, thus you honour me and my desire to possess you…” Thus Ravana spoke to Seetha. [3-48-19]
19. varavarNini = oh, richly, colourful lady; maanuSaH saH raamaH = [mere] human, he, that Rama; yuddhe = in war; mama angulyaa samaH na = my, finger, equal to, not – he is not; tava bhaagyen sampraaptam [maam] bhajasva = by your, serendipity [good fortune,] chanced, [me] you honour.
Verse 20
एवम् उक्ता तु वैदेही क्रुद्धा संरक्त लोचना |
अब्रवीत् परुषम् वाक्यम् रहिते राक्षस अधिपम् || ३-४८-२०
Vaidehi who is spoken thus is infuriated on her part and with her eyes bloodshot spoke these bitter words to the king of demons in that lonely lace. [3-48-20]
20. evam uktaa vaidehii tu = thus, spoken to, Vaidehi, on her part; kruddhaa samrakta locanaa = infuriated, with bloodshot, eyes; rahite = without [anyone, in lonely place]; raakSasa adhipam = to demon’s, king paruSam vaakyam abraviit = bitter, words, she spoke.
Verse 21
कथम् वैश्रवणम् देवम् सर्व देव नमस्कृतम् |
भ्रातरम् व्यपदिश्य त्वम् अशुभम् कर्तुम् इच्छसि || ३-४८-२१
“How you wish to commit sins although saying that Kubera, a god reverenced by all of the gods, is your brother? [3-48-21]
21. sarva deva namaskR^itam = by all, gods, reverenced; devam vaishravaNam = god, Vaishravana [Kubera]; bhraataram vyapadishya = brother, by making known – telling his name; tvam = you; a shubham kartum katham icChasi = un, holy [sinful acts,] to commit, how, you wish to.
Verse 22
अवश्यम् विनशिष्यन्ति सर्वे रावण राक्षसाः |
येषाम् त्वम् कर्कशो राजा दुर्बुद्धिः अजित इन्द्रियः || ३-४८-२२
“All the demons will perforce get completely destroyed, oh, Ravana, for whom you the cruel and culpable one with uncontrolled senses is the king, and you will be blameworthy for the elimination of righteous demons like Vibheeshana, et al. [3-48-22]
22. raavaNa = oh, Ravana; karkashaH = cruel one; dur buddhiH = bad, minded [culpable]; a jita indriyaH = with not, controlled, senses; such as you are; tvam = you; yeSaam raajaa = to whom, you are a king; such of those; sarve raakSasaaH = all of those, demons; avashyam vi nashiSyanti = perforce, completely get destroyed.
Verse 23
अपहृत्य शचीम् भार्याम् शक्यम् इन्द्रस्य जीवितुम् |
न हि रामस्य भार्याम् माम् अपनीय अस्ति जीवितम् || ३-४८-२३
“It may be possible to live after abducting Shaci Devi, the wife of Indra, somehow and anyhow there will be no liveability after abducting me, the wife of Rama. [3-48-23]
23. indrasya bhaaryaam shaciim apahR^itya = Indra’s, wife, Shaci, on abducting; jiivitum shakyam = to live on, it possible to; raamasya bhaaryaam maam = Rama’s, wife, me; apa niiya = leading away – on abducting; jiivitam = liveability na asti hi = not, is there, indeed.
Verse 24
जीवेत् चिरम् वज्र धरस्य हस्तात्
शचीम् प्रधृष्य अप्रतिरूप रूपाम् |
न मा दृशीम् राक्षस धर्षयित्वा
पीत अमृतस्य अपि तव अस्ति मोक्षः || ३-४८-२४
“Oh, demon, un-mirrored is the prettiness of prettyish Shaci Devi, and one may live long on forcibly snatching her away from the hands of the wielder of Thunderbolt, Indra, but to him who intimidates or abuses me or women like me, there will be no moksha, release from the cycle of rebirth, even if he has consumed amR^ita ambrosia.” Thus Seetha spoke to Ravana. [3-48-24]
24. raakSasa = oh, demon; a prati ruupa ruupaam = not, mirrored, prettiness, prettyish lady; shaciim = Shaci Devi is; vajra dharasya hastaat = Thunderbolt, wielder, from the hand of; pradhR^iSya = on forcibly snatching away; ciram jiivet = for a long time, one may live; maa dR^ishiim = me, similar; dharSayitvaa [duuSayitvaa] = on intimidating, [on abusing]; piita amR^itasya api = though consumed, ambrosia, even if; tava asti mokSaH = to you [your-like,] is there, moksha, [release from the cycle of rebirth]; na = is not there.
