Introduction
Rama spots Jataayu, whose wings are hacked and who is breathless, and is in his last moments. On conceding to the suggestion of Lakshmana that they should search for Seetha, they start searching the forest and at certain place the mountainous Jataayu is seen. Mistaking him to be a demon Rama wants to kill and speedily approaches Jataayu, but on listening Jataayu’s words, Rama recognises and laments for his wretched situation.
Verse 1
पूर्वजो अपि उक्त मात्रः तु लक्ष्मणेन सुभाषितम् |
सार ग्राही महासारम् प्रतिजग्राह राघवः || ३-६७-१
Even though Rama is elder to Lakshmana he gleaned the ultimate tenor of Lakshmana’s words when Lakshmana just said them expediently because Raghava is a best gleaner of the gist of advises. [3-67-1]
1. saara graahii = essence, taker [best gleaner of the gist]; raaghavaH = Raghava; puurva jaH api = earlier, born [elder brother of Lakshmana,] even though; lakSmaNena ukta maatraH tu = by Lakshmana, when he [Rama] is said, just, but; mahaa saaram = ultimate, tenor; su bhaaSitam = well, said [said expediently]; prati jagraaha = in turn, taken [himself gleaned.]
Verse 2
स निगृह्य महाबाहुः प्रवृद्धम् रोषम् आत्मनः |
अवष्टभ्य धनुः चित्रम् रामो लक्ष्मणम् अब्रवीत् || ३-६७-२
Such as he is that dextrous Rama on controlling his highly heightening fury, propping against his bedazzling bow spoke this to Lakshmana. [3-67-2]
2. saH = such as he is – Rama; mahaabaahuH = dextrous one; raamaH = Rama; pra vR^iddham aatmanaH roSam nigR^ihya = highly heightening, his own, fury, on controlling; citram dhanuH avaSTabhya = bedazzling bow, on that bow, propping against; lakSmaNam abraviit = he, to Lakshmana, said.
Verse 3
किम् करिष्यावहे वत्स क्व वा गच्छाव लक्ष्मण |
केन उपायेन पश्येयम् सीताम् इह विचिन्तय || ३-६७-३
“What is to be done by us, oh, dear boy… or, whereto we might go, or, by which device Seetha is discernable… Lakshmana, now you think of it, clearly… [3-67-3]
3. vatsa = oh, bear boy; lakSmaNa = Lakshmana; kim kariSyaavahe = what, is to be done by us; kva vaa gacChaava = to where, or, we go; siitaam kena upaayena pashyeyam = Seetha, by which, device, we can see; iha vi cintaya = in this matter, you clearly think.
Verse 4 & 5a
तम् तथा परिताप आर्तम् लक्ष्मणो रामम् अब्रवीत् |
इदम् एव जनस्थानम् त्वम् अन्वेषितुम् अर्हसि || ३-६७-४
राक्षसैः बहुभिः कीर्णम् नाना द्रुम लता आयुतम् |
To such a Rama who is tormented by anguish, Lakshmana said, “it will be apt of you to search this Janasthaana alone which is rife with many demons, and replete with manifold trees and climber-plants… [3-67-4]
4, 5a. tathaa = in that manner; paritaapa aartam = by anguish, tormented; tam raamam = to him, to Rama; lakSmaNaH abraviit = Lakshmana, said; tvam = you; bahubhiH raakSasaiH kiirNam = with many, demons, rife with; naanaa druma lataa aayutam = manifold, trees, climber-plants, replete with; idam janasthaanam eva = this, Janasthaana, alone; anveSitum arhasi = to search, apt of you.
Verse 5b & 6
सन्ति इह गिरि दुर्गाणि निर्दराः कंदराणि च || ३-६७-५
गुहाः च विविधा घोरा नाना मृग गण आकुलाः |
आवासाः किन्नराणाम् च गन्धर्व भवनानि च || ३-६७-६
“Here there are unclimbable mountains, glens and glyphs as well. There are divers and pernicious caverns tumultuous with diverse packs of predators, and here are the mansions of kinnaraa-s and palaces of gandharva-s, as well… [3-67-5b, 6]
5b, 6. iha = at this place; giri durgaaNi = mountains, unclimbable; nirdaraaH = glens; kandaraaNi ca = glyphs, as well; vividhaa = divers; ghoraa = pernicious; naanaa mR^iga gaNa aakulaaH = with diverse, predators, packs, tumultuous with; guhaaH ca = caverns, also; kinnaraaNaam aavaasaaH = kinnaraa-s, mansions; gandharva bhavanaani ca = gandharva-s, palaces, as well; santi = are there.
Verse 7 & 8a
तानि युक्तो मया सार्धम् समन्वेषितुम् अर्हसि |
त्वत् विधा बुद्धि संपन्ना माहात्मानो नरर्षभ || ३-६७-७
आपत्सु न प्रकंपन्ते वायु वेगैः इव अचलाः |
“It will be apt of you to steadfastly search in them along with me, and oh, best one among men, your sort of literati and clever-souls will be unfluctuating in calamities like the mountains unfluctuating in windstorms…” Lakshmana said so Rama. [3-67-6, 7, 8a]
7, 8a. [tvam = you]; yuktaH = steadfastly; maya saardham = me, along with; taani sam anveSitum arhasi = them, to thoroughly search, apt of you; nararSabha = oh, best one among men; buddhi sampannaaH = cleverness, those possessed with [literati]; tvat vidhaa = your, sort of; maahaa aatmaanaH = clever souls; vaayu vegaiH = by wind, speed [storms]; a calaaH = not, fluctuating ones [i.e., mountains]; iva = as with; aapatsu na pra kampante = in calamities, will not, fluctuate.
Verse 8b & 9a
इति उक्तः तत् वनम् सर्वम् विचचार स लक्ष्मणः || ३-६७-८
क्रुद्धो रामः शरम् घोरम् संधाय धनुषि क्षुरम् |
When Lakshmana said in this way to that ireful Rama, he roved entire forest along with Lakshmana readying a crescent-shaped razor-sharp deadly arrow on his bow. [3-67-8b, 9a]
8b, 9a. kruddhaH raamaH = ireful, Rama; iti uktaH = thus, when he is said by Lakshmana; sa lakSmaNaH = along with Lakshmana; dhanuSi = in bow; ghoram = a deadly one; kSuram sharam = razor-sharp / crescent shaped, arrow; sandhaaya = on readying; sarvam tat vanam vicacaara = all, that, forest, he roved.
Verse 9b & 10a
ततः पर्वत कूट आभम् महा भागम् द्विज उत्तमम् || ३-६७-९
ददर्श पतितम् भूमौ क्षतज आर्द्रम् जटायुषम् |
Then Rama beheld Jataayu who is akin to a mountaintop in his gleam, and a best beatific brave bird among all the birds, but bloodstained and buckling on earth. [3-67-9b, 10a]
9b, 10a. tataH = then; parvata kuuTa aabham = mountain, top, in gleam [akin]; mahaa bhaagam = best, beatific; dvija uttamam = [among all] birds, best [brave]; bhuumau patitam = onto earth, fallen; kSataja aardram = blood, wet [bloodstained]; jaTaayuSam = at Jataayu; dadarsha = [Rama] beheld.
Verse 10b & 11a
तम् दृष्ट्वा गिरि शृंग आभम् रामो लक्ष्मणम् अब्रवीत् || ३-६७-१०
अनेन सीता वैदेही भक्षिता न अत्र संशयः |
On beholding him who is like a mountaintop in his gleam, Rama said to Lakshmana, “This one has gluttonised Seetha, the princess from Vaidehi, there is no doubt about it… [3-67-10b, 11a]
10b, 11a. giri shR^inga aabham = mountain, top, in gleam; tam dR^iSTvaa = him, on beholding; raamaH lakSmaNam abraviit = Rama, to Lakshmana, said; anena = by him [by this one]; vaidehii siitaa bhakSitaa = Videha king’s daughter, Seetha, is gluttonised; atra samshayaH na = in that matter, doubt, is not there.
Verse 11b & 12
गृध्र रूपम् इदम् व्यक्तम् रक्षो भ्रमति काननम् || ३-६७-११
भक्षयित्वा विशालाक्षीम् आस्ते सीताम् यथा सुखम् |
एनम् वधिष्ये दीप्त अग्रैः घोरैः बाणैः अजिह्मगैः || ३-६७-१२
“It is apparent that this demon skulks in the forest in the semblance of an eagle, and having gluttonised that wide-eyed Seetha he is now reposing comfortably. I will eliminate him with deadly arrows, whose arrowheads blaze away and which shoot off straightly…” Thus Rama declared. [3-67-11b, 12]
11b, 12. idam rakSaH = this, demon; gR^idhra ruupam = in eagle’s, semblance – assuming; kaananam bhramati = in forest, skulks; vyaktam = apparently; vishaalaakSiim siitaam = wide-eyed, Seetha; bhakSayitvaa = having gluttonised; yathaa sukham = as per, his comfort [comfortably]; aaste = reposing [himself]; diipta agraiH = with blazing, arrowheads; ghoraiH = deadly ones; a jihma gaiH = not, crisscross, going [shoot off straightly]; baaNaiH = with bolts; enam vadhiSye = him, I eliminate.
Verse 13
इति उक्त्वा अभ्यपतत् गृध्रम् सन्धाय धनुषि क्षुरम् |
क्रुद्धो रामः समुद्र अन्ताम् चालयन् इव मेदिनीम् || ३-६७-१३
On saying thus and on readying a crescent-shaped razor-sharp deadly arrow on his bow, that ireful Rama rushed towards the eagle, as though to a-tremble the whole of the earth that which is within the perimeter of oceans. [3-67-13]
13. raamaH = Rama; iti uktvaa = thus, saying; kruddhaH = ireful one; dhanuSi kSuram sandhaaya = on bow, razor-sharp / crescent shaped arrow, on readying; samudra antaam mediniim caalayan iva = ocean, up to perimeter, [whole of the] earth, to a-treble, as though; gR^idhram = to eagle; abhyapatat [abhi aa patat = towards, come, and fallen] = rushed towards.
Verse 14
तम् दीन दीनया वाचा स फेनम् रुधिरम् वमन् |
अभ्यभाषत पक्षी तु रामम् दशरथ आत्मजम् || ३-६७-१४
But that bird spewing up frothy blood pathetically appealed to such an ireful son of Dasharatha, namely Rama, in a pathetic tone. [3-67-14]
14. pakSii tu = bird, on its part; sa phenam rudhiram vaman = with, frothy, blood, spewing up; diina = pathetically; tam dasharatha aatmajam raamam = to him, to Dasharatha’s, son, to Rama; diinayaa vaacaa = in a pathetic, tone; abhyabhaaSata = uttered [appealed.]
Verse 15
याम् ओषधिम् इव आयुष्मन् अन्वेषसि महा वने |
सा देवी मम च प्राणा रावणेन उभयम् हृतम् || ३-६७-१५
“Oh, boy Rama, blest is your eternality, for whom you are searching as with the search of a rejuvenescent herb in the vast of forest, Ravana stole that lady and my lives, too… [3-67-15]
15. aayuSman = oh, boy blest is your eternality – oh, Rama; yam = whom; mahaa vane oSadhim iva anveSasi = in vast, of forest, herb, as with, you are searching; saa devii = she, that lady; mama praaNaa ca = my, lives, too; ubhayam = both; raavaNena hR^itam = by Ravana, stolen.
Verse 16
त्वया विरहिता देवी लक्ष्मणेन च राघव |
ह्रियमाणा मया दृष्टा रावणेन बलीयसा || ३-६७-१६
“I have seen that lady while being stolen by brute-forced Ravana when you and even Lakshmana absented from her… [3-67-16]
16. Raaghava = oh, Raghava; tvayaa = with you; lakSmaNena ca = with Lakshmana, as well; virahitaa = without, absented; devii = lady – Seetha; baliiyasaa raavaNena hriyamaaNaa = by brute-forced, by Ravana, while being stolen; mayaa dR^iSTaa = by me, seen.
Verse 17
सीताम् अभ्यवपन्नो अहम् रावणः च रणे मया |
विध्वंसित रथः च अत्र पातितो धरणी तले || ३-६७-१७
“I outreached to rescue Seetha… and in a combat Ravana is rendered as one with utterly battered chariot… and I felled him and that chariot there… onto earth’s surface… [3-67-17]
17. aham = I; siitaam = for Seetha; abhyavapannaH [abhi ava pad = towards, nearly, got at to rescue] = outreached to rescue; raNe = in combat; maya = by me; raavaNaH ca = Ravana, also; vidhvansita rathaH ca = [Ravana is rendered as one with a] utterly, battered, chariot, also; atra dharaNii tale paatitaH = there, on earth’s, surface, felled [him and that chariot.]
Verse 18
एतत् अस्य धनुः भग्नम् एतत् अस्य शरावरम् |
अयम् अस्य रणे राम भग्नः सांग्रामिको रथः || ३-६७-१८
“This one is his fragmented bow and this is his fragmented armour… oh, Rama, this is his combat-chariot… which, in combat shattered by me… [3-67-18]
18. raama = oh, Rama; etat asya bhagnam dhanuH = this one is, his, fragmented, bow; etat asya sharaavaram = this one, his, armour; ayam = this one is; asya = his; raNe = in combat; bhagnaH = shattered [by me]; saangraamikaH rathaH = combatant’s / used in combats, chariot.
Verse 19 & 20
अयम् तु सारथिः तस्य मत् पक्ष निहतो भुविः |
परिश्रान्तस्य मे पक्षौ छित्त्वा खड्गेन रावणः || ३-६७-१९
सीताम् आदाय वैदेहीम् उत्पपात विहायसम् |
रक्षसा निहतम् पूर्वम् न माम् हन्तुम् त्वम् अर्हसि || ३-६७-२०
“This is his charioteer drop dead onto earth by my wings… when I am overtired Ravana gashed my wings and flew skyward taking Seetha of Videha kingdom with him, and it will be inapt of you to kill me who am already killed by the demon…” Thus Jataayu appealed to Rama. [3-67-19, 20]
19. ayam tu = he is, on his part; bhuviH = on earth; mat paksha nihataH = by my, wings, drop dead; tasya saarathiH = his, charioteer; raavaNaH = Ravana; parishraantasya = overtired [such I was]; me pakSau khaDgena Chittvaa = my, two wings, with sword, on gashing; vaidehiim siitaam aadaaya = of Videha, Seetha, on taking; vihaayasam = on skies; utpapaata = fallen in a trice; rakSasaa puurvam nihatam = by demon, earlier [already,] killed; maam = me; tvam hantum na arhasi = to you, to kill, not, apt of you.
Verse 21
रामः तस्य तु विज्ञाय सीता सक्ताम् प्रियाम् कथाम् |
गृध्र राजम् परिष्वज्य परित्यज्य महत् धनुः || ३-६७-२१
Rama jettisoned his forceful bow when he heard the much desired news about Seetha while hugging that kingly eagle Jataayu. [3-67-21]
21. raamaH = Rama; tasya = of his – from him; siitaa saktaam = Seetha, concerning to; priyaam kathaam = desirable, narration – news; viGYaaya = came to know; parityajya mahat dhanuH = jettisoned, forceful, bow; gR^idhra raajam pariSvajya = eagle, kingly, on hugging.
Verse 22
निपपात अवशो भूमौ रुरोद सह लक्ष्मण |
द्विगुणीकृत ताप आर्तो रामो धीरतरो अपि सन् || ३-६७-२२
Even though Rama is comparatively a bold person he involuntarily fell down to ground, as the onefold scorch of anguish for Seetha is doubled by this predicament of Jataayu, and he wept over Jataayu. [3-67-22]
22. raamaH = Rama; dhiira taraH = bold [person,] higher in degree [comparatively bold person]; api san = even though, he is; a vashaH = without, control [involuntarily]; bhuumau = on earth; nipapaata = fell down; saha lakshmaNa ruroda = along with, Lakshmana, wept over [the fate of Jataayu]; dvi guNii kR^ita taapa aartaH = two, fold, made as [doubled,] he is scorched, by anguish.
Verse 23
एकम् एक अयने कृच्छ्रे निःश्वसन्तम् मुहुर् मुहुः |
समीक्ष्य दुःखितो रामः सौमित्रिम् इदम् अब्रवीत् || ३-६७-२३
Jataayu is supine on a single-strait passable for a single-person and he is suspiring for several times, and on seeing such Jataayu Rama became anguished and spoke this to Soumitri. [3-67-23]
23. kR^icChre = [single] strait [supine on pathway]; eka ayane = for single [person,] passable – on pathway; ekam = singly; muhuH muhuH niHshvasantam = again, again [for several times,] suspiring [Jataayu]; samiikSya = on seeing; raamaH duHkhitaH = Rama, became anguished; saumitrim idam abraviit = to Soumitri, this, spoke.
Verse 24
राज्यम् भ्रष्टम् वने वासः सीता नष्टा मृते द्विजः |
ईदृशी इयम् मम अलक्ष्मीः दहेत् अपि पावकम् || ३-६७-२४
“Mislaid is my kingdom and I am mislocated into forests, Seetha is misplaced and now this mischance of death on this bird… this kind of misfortune of mine incinerates even Agni, the Divine-Incinerator… [3-67-24]
24. raajyam bhraSTam = kingdom, forfeited – misfired; vane vaasaH = in forest, resided [misplaced]; siitaa naSTaa = Seetha, lost [mislaid]; mR^ite dvijaH = [mischance of] death, to bird – or, dvijo hataH = bird, is killed; iidR^ishii iyam = this kind of, this; mama a lakSmiiH = my, mis, fortune; paavakam api dahet = Agni, Fire-god – Divine-Incinerator, even, incinerates.
Verse 25
संपूर्णम् अपि चेत् अद्य प्रतरेयम् महोदधिम् |
सो अपि नूनम् मम अलक्ष्म्या विशुष्येत् सरिताम् पतिः || ३-६७-२५
“Even if it were to be a plethoric and limitless ocean, and now if I were to enter it, or take a swim to the other shore of blissfulness, even that Lord of Rivers runs completely dry, owing to my misfortune, it is definite… [3-67-25]
25. adya = now; sampuurNam mahaa udadhim api = plethoric, limitless, ocean, even; pra tareyam cet = sincerely, to take a swim [for the shore of blissfulness,] if – or, pravisheyam cet = I were to enter, if; saH saritaam patiH api = that, rivers, lord, even; mama = owing to my; a lakSmyaa = mis, fortune; vi shuSyet = completely, runs dry; nuunam = definitely.
Verse 26
न अस्ति अभाग्यतरो लोके मत्तो अस्मिन् स चराचरे |
येन इयम् महती प्राप्ता मया व्यसन वागुरा || ३-६७-२६
“There will not be any greater unfortunate being in this world than me, even if all the sessile and mobile beings are put together, by whom such a complicated catastrophic enmeshment as this is derived… [3-67-26]
26. yena = by whom [me]; maya = [suchlike] me; iyam mahatii = this, great [complicated]; vyasana vaaguraa = catastrophic, enmeshment; praaptaa = chanced; mattaH = than me; abhaagyataraH [a bhaagya taraH = un, fortunate, comparatively higher – greater unfortunate being; sa cara acare = [even if] put together, mobile, sessile [all beings]; asmin = in this; loke = in world; na asti = not, is there.
Verse 27
अयम् पितृ वयस्यो मे गृध्र राजो जरा अन्वितः |
शेते विनिहतो भूमौ मम भाग्य विपर्ययात् || ३-६७-२७
“This decrepit kingly eagle is the friend of my father who is terminally gashed and recumbent on the floor owing only to the backlash of my fortune…” So lamented Rama for the wounded eagle Jataayu. [3-67-27]
27. me pitR^i vayasyaH = my, father’s, friend; jaraa anvitaH = decrepitude, having; ayam gR^idhra rajah = this, eagle, king; mama bhaagya = [owing to] my, fortune’s; viparyayaat = owing to counteraction; vi nihataH = terminally gashed; bhuumau shete = on floor, he is recumbent.
Verse 29
निकृत्त पक्षम् रुधिर अवसिक्तम्
तम् गृध्र राजम् परिरभ्य रामः |
क्व मैथिलि प्राण समा मम इति
विमुच्य वाचम् निपपात भूमौ || ३-६७-२९
On hugging that kingly eagle whose wings are hacked off and who is bloodstained, and on uttering this much, “she who is identical with my lives,… where is that Maithili…” Rama collapsed to earth. [3-67-29]
29. raamaH = Rama; nikR^itta pakSam = one with hacked off, wings; rudhira avasiktam = with blood, sopped; tam gR^idhra raajam = him, eagle, king; parirabhya = on hugging; mama praaNa samaa = to my, lives, equal; Maithili kva = Maithili, where is; iti vaacam vimucya = thus, words, on releasing – uttering this mcuh; bhuumau nipapaata = onto earth, he fell down.
Verse 28
इति एवम् उक्त्वा बहुशो राघवः सह लक्ष्मणः |
जटायुषम् च पस्पर्श पितृ स्नेहम् निदर्शयन् || ३-६७-२८
Thus, lamenting in that way for many times Raghava patted the body of Jataayu along with Lakshmana instancing his parental regard. [3-67-28]
28. raaghavaH = Raghava; iti evam bahushaH uktvaa = thus, in that way, in many ways, saying – lamenting; saha lakSmaNaH = with, Lakshmana; pitR^i sneham nidarshayan = parental, regard, instancing; jaTaayuSam pasparsha = Jataayu is, also, patted [on body.]
