Introduction
Kabandha requests Rama to incinerate him, so that he would get his divine form and then would be able to give some clues in regaining Seetha. He admits that the present hideous state has chanced only because of his arrogant behaviour, thereby a sort of repentance has occurred in him. A course of conversations occurs among these two, as each is distrustful of the other.
Verse 1& 2a
पुरा राम महाबाहो महाबल पराक्रम |
रूपम् आसीत् मम अचिंत्यम् त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् || ३-७१-१
यथा सूर्यस्य सोमस्य शक्रस्य च यथा वपुः |
“Oh, great dextrous Rama with great daring and dashing, as to how the physique of sun, moon, and even that of Indra is there now, my physique was also like that earlier, an unbelievable mien and renowned in all the three worlds… [3-71-1, 2a]
1, 2a. mahaabaaho = oh, great dextrous one; mahaa bala paraakrama raama = oh great, daring, dashing, Rama; puraa = at one time – my form was; suuryasya = sun’s; somasya = of moon’s; yathaa = how it was – physiques of those gods; shakrasya ca = Indra’s [physique,] also; vapuH = body; yathaa = as to how it is; [tathaa = in that way]; mama ruupam = my, form – was there; which is; a cintyam = unbelievable; triSu lokeSu vishrutam = in three, world, renowned; aasiit = was there.
Verse 2b & 3a
सो अहम् रूपम् इदम् कृत्वा लोक वित्रासनम् महत् || ३-७१-२
ऋषीन् वन गतान् राम त्रासयामि ततः ततः |
“Such as I was with an admirable body, disguising myself in this kind of horrendous form which is utterly dreadful to the world, I was scaring the forest living sages, there and there… [3-71-2]
2b, 3a. raama = oh, Rama; saH aham = such as, I was [with an admirable body]; loka vitraasanam = for world, utterly scaring; mahat idam ruupam kR^itvaa = horrendous, this sort of, form, on making [on disguising]; tataH tataH = there, there; vana gataan = forest, gone in – forest moving; R^iSiin = sages; traasayaami = I was scaring,.
Verse 3b & 4a
ततः स्थूलशिरा नाम महर्षिः कोपितो मया || ३-७१-३
संचिन्वन् विविधम् वन्यम् रूपेण अनेन धर्षितः |
“On one day, when a great sage named Sthuulashira was collecting divers forest produce for his Vedic-ritual, I scared him with this ugly form and I even exasperated him… [3-71-3b, 4a]
3b, 4a. tataH = then – on one day; vividham vanyam sancinvan = divers, forest produce, on who is collecting; sthuulashiraa naama maharSiH = Sthuulashariira, named, great sage; anena ruupeNa dharSitaH = by this, [ugly] form, [by me] scared; and; mayaa kopitaH = by me, he is exasperated.
Verse 4b & 5a
तेन अहम् उक्तः प्रेक्ष्य एवम् घोर शाप अभिधायिना || ३-७१-४
एतत् एव नृशंसम् ते रूपम् अस्तु विगर्हितम् |
“On seeing me that sage who is an enforcer of deadly curse cursed me in this way, ‘that which is presently diabolic and despicable form of yours, hereinafter you will abide in this form alone…’ [3-71-4b, 5a]
4b, 5a. prekSya = on seeing [me]; ghora shaapa abhidhaayinaa = deadly, curse, enforcer of; tena aham evam uktaH = by him, I am, this way, said – cursed; te = to you; nR^ishansam = diabolic; vi garhitam = verily, despicable; etat = this; ruupam eva astu = [present] form, alone, will be [you will abide in.]
Verse 5b & 6a
स मया याचितः क्रुद्धः शापस्य अन्तो भवेत् इति || ३-७१-५
अभिशाप कृतस्य इति तेन इदम् भाषितम् वचः |
“When I begged that enraged sage as, ‘even if I have committed this blasphemy owing to my blasphemous fate, will there be an end to this blasphemed form of mine, or not…’ and then he spoke this word to me… [3-71-5b, 6a]
5b-6a. kruddhaH saH = enraged, he; abhishaapa kR^itasya = by blasphemy, committed – wrong of mine; shaapasya antaH bhavet iti [cet] = curse’s, end, [whether] there is [or not,] thus; iti mayaa yaacitaH = thus, by me, when begged; tena idam vacaH bhaaSitam = by him, this, word, is spoken.
Verse 6b & 7a
यदा छित्त्वा भुजौ रामः त्वाम् दहेत् विजने वने || ३-७१-६
तदा त्वम् प्राप्स्यसे रूपम् स्वम् एव विपुलम् शुभम् |
” ‘When Rama incinerates you in an uninhibited forest on chopping off your shoulders, then you will regain your own grand and auspicious form…’ So said the sage to me… [3-71-6b, 7a]
6b-7a. raamaH = Rama; bhujau Chittvaa = shoulders, on chopping off; tvaam yadaa vijane vane dahet = you, when, in uninhibited, forest, incinerates; tadaa = then; tvam = you; svam eva = your own, only; vipulam shubham ruupam praapsyase = grand, auspicious form, will be regained
Verse 7b & 8a
श्रिया विराजितम् पुत्रम् दनोः त्वम् विद्धि लक्ष्मण || ३-७१-७
इन्द्र कोपात् इदम् रूपम् प्राप्तम् एवम् रण आजिरे |
“Oh, Lakshmana, you may know as the most handsome son of Danu, and this misshapen form has chanced on me owing the ire of Indra in battlefield… [3-71-7b, 8a]
7b, 8a. lakSmaNa = oh, Lakshmana; danoH = of Danu; shriyaa viraajitam = with splendidness, who shone forth – most handsome; putram = as the son of – Danu; tvam viddhi = you, know thus; indra kopaat = Indra, by ire of; raNa aajire = in battle, field; evam = in this way; idam ruupam = this, form; praaptam = chanced.
Verse 8b & 9a
अहम् हि तपसा उग्रेण पितामहम् अतोषयम् || ३-७१-८
दीर्घम् आयुः स मे प्रादात् ततो माम् विभ्रमो अस्पृशत् |
“I have gladdened Grandparent Braham with severe ascesis and He granted longevity to me, and then a kind of recalcitrance touched off in my mind… [3-71-8b, 9a]
8b, 9a. aham ugreNa tapasaa = I have, by ascesis, severe; pitaamaham atoSayam = Grandparent Brahma, gladdened; saH me = he, to me; diirgham aayuH praadaat = long, life, granted; tataH maam vibhramaH aspR^ishat = then, to me, headstrongness [a kind of recalcitrance,] touched off [in my mind.]
Verse 9b & 10a
दीर्घम् आयुः मया प्राप्तम् किम् मे शक्रः करिष्यति || ३-७१-९
इति एवम् बुद्धिम् आस्थाय रणे शक्रम् अधर्षयम् |
” ‘When longevity is acquired by me what Indra can do to me…’ thus relying upon that kind of certitude, I jousted with Indra in a bout… [3-71-9b, 10a]
9b, 10a. mayaa diirgham aayuH praaptam = by me, long, life, acquired; shakraH me kim kariSyati = Indra, to me, what, can do; iti evam = thus, that kind of; buddhim aasthaaya = certitude, relying upon; raNe shakram adharSayam = in a bout, with Indra, I jousted with.
Verse 11b & 12a
स मया याच्यमानः सन् न आनयत् यम सादनम् || ३-७१-११
पितामह वचः सत्यम् तत् अस्ति इति मम अब्रवीत् |
“When I begged of him saying, ‘lead me to the hell of Yama, rather than making me to live this hell of a body…’ Then Indra said this to me, ‘Let the Grandparent Brahma’s word about your longevity come true…’ Thus Indra spared me to me… [3-71-11b, 12a]
11b, 12a. saH = he, Indra; mayaa yaacyamaanaH san = by me, begged, even though; yama saadanam na aanayat = to Yama’s, residence [world,] not, led [not led me to hell – spared lives]; tat pitaamaha vacaH satyam astu = that [word of,] Grandparent’s, word, true, let come; iti = thus; mama abraviit = to me, said.
Verse 12b & 13a
अनाहारः कथम् शक्तो भग्न सक्थि शिरो मुखः || ३-७१-१२
वज्रेण अभिहतः कालम् सु दीर्घम् अपि जीवितुम् |
” ‘By the impaction of Thunderbolt disarranged are my thighs and head, thereby my mouth went into my stomach… and without thighs how can I prowl, without arms how can I scrabble, and without a mouth how can I guzzle… and how am I capable to live on, and even that living too, is destined for too long a time…’ [3-71-12b, 13a]
12b, 13a. vajreNa abhihataH = by Thunderbolt, hit down [thus, by its impact]; bhagna = broken [disarranged]; sakthi shiraH mukhaH = thighs, head, mouth; an aahaaraH = without, food; su diirgham kaalam = for very, long, time; jiivitum api = to live, at least; katham shaktaH = how, I am capable.
Verse 13b & 14a
स एवम् उक्तः मे शक्रो बाहू योजनम् आयतौ || ३-७१-१३
तदा च आस्यम् च मे कुक्षौ तीक्ष्ण दंष्ट्रम् अकल्पयत् |
“When I said to Indra this way, Indra devised for me yojana long arms, also that way a rapier-fanged mouth in my paunch… [3-71-13b, 14a]
13b, 14a. saH evam uktaH = he, Indra, this way, said to [by me]; shakraH me = Indra, for me; yojanam aayatau baahuu = yojana, long, arms; tadaa ca = that way, also; tiikSNa danSTram aasyam ca = rapier, fanged, mouth, also; me kukSau akalpayat = in paunch, he devised.
Verse 14b & 15a
सो अहम् भुजाभ्याम् दीर्घाभ्याम् संकृष्य अस्मिन् वने चरान् || ३-७१-१४
सिंह द्विपि मृग व्याघ्रान् भक्षयामि समंततः |
“Such as I am, I have been eating the lions, elephants, animals, and tigers that are on the move in this forest, hauling them in with both of my overlong arms… [3-71-14b, 15a]
14b, 15a. saH aham = such as, I am; diirghaabhyaam bhujaabhyaam = with overlong ones, both arms; asmin vane = in this, forest; samantataH caraan = all over, moving; simha dvipi mR^iga vyaaghraan = lions, elephants, animals, tigers; samkR^iSya = hauling in; bhakSayaami = I am eating.
Verse 15b & 16a
स तु माम् अब्रवीत् इन्द्रो यदा रामः स लक्ष्मणः || ३-७१-१५
छेत्स्यते समरे बाहू तदा स्वर्गम् गमिष्यसि |
“Indra has also said to me, ‘as and when Rama hacks off your arms along with Lakshmana in a conflict, then you can go to heaven…’ Thus Indra said to me and vanished. [3-71-15b, 16a]
15b, 16a. saH indraH tu = he, that Indra, on his part; maam abraviit = to me, said; yadaa sa lakSmaNaH raamaH = as and when, with, Lakshmana, Rama; samare baahuu Chetsyate = in conflict, arms, hacks off; tadaa svargam gamiSyasi = then, to heaven, you can go.
Verse 16b & 17a
अनेन वपुषा तात वने अस्मिन् राजसत्तम || ३-७१-१६
यत् यत् पश्यामि सर्वस्य ग्रहणम् साधु रोचये |
“Oh, sire, I am grabbing whatever I see in this forest while living with this body… oh, powerful king, as I feel it meetly and a must for me… [3-71-16b, 17a]
16b, 17a. raja sattama = oh, king, the powerful; taata = oh, sire; asmin vane = in this, forest; anena vapuSaa = with this, body; yat yat pashyaami = what, what [whatever,] I am seeing; sarvasya grahaNam saadhu rocaye = them all, grabbing, meetly, I feel.
Verse 17b & 18a
अवश्यम् ग्रहणम् रामो मन्ये अहम् समुपैष्यति || ३-७१-१७
इमाम् बुद्धिम् पुरस्कृत्य देह न्यास कृत श्रमः |
“I believed that Rama will certainly come nigh of my captivity, and confiding myself in this kind of determination, presaged by sage Sthuulashira, as well… I have been toiling to dislodge this body… [3-71-17b, 18a]
17b, 18a. raamaH = Rama; avashyam grahaNam samupaiSyati [sam up eS] = certainly, into captivity, comes nigh of; thus; aham manye = I, believed; imaam buddhim puras kR^itya = this kind of, determination, confiding in; deha nyaasa = body, to dislodge; kR^ita shramaH = made, toil [ I became a toiler.]
Verse 18b & 19a
स त्वम् रामो असि भद्रम् ते न अहम् अन्येन राघव || ३-७१-१८
शक्यो हन्तुम् यथा तत्त्वम् एवम् उक्तम् महर्षिणा |
“Oh, Raghava, as to how this has happened in this way according to the sum and substance told by the sage Sthulashira, you alone are that Rama, let safe betide you, and none other than you is capable to mangle me… [3-71-18b, 19a]
18b, 19a. raaghava = oh, Raghava; tvam saH raamaH asi = you, that, Rama, you are; te bhadram = safe betides you; maharSiNaa tattvam = by sage, fact [gravamen]; evam = this way; yathaa uktam = as to how, said; thereby; aham anyena hantum shakyaH na = I am, by other [person,] to be killed [mangle,] capable, not.
Verse 19b & 20a
अहम् हि मति साचिव्यम् करिष्यामि नर ऋषभ || ३-७१-१९
मित्रम् चैव उपदेक्ष्यामि युवाभ्याम् संस्कृतो अग्निना |
“Oh, impetuous man Rama, if I were to be beatified by you two by incinerating me in Fire, I will advice you about the next course of your action… I will further advise you about your prospective friend…” So said Kabandha to Rama. [3-71-19b, 20a]
19b, 20a. nara R^iSabha = oh, man, bullish [impetuous]; aham = I; [yadi cet = if, it were to be]; agninaa samskR^itaH = by Fire, beatified by incineration; yuvaabhyaam = to you two; mati saacivyam = by mind, ministerial help [advice]; kariSyaami = I will do [give]; mitram caiva upadekSyaami = friend, also thus, I will [further] advise.
Verse 20b & 21a
एवम् उक्तः तु धर्मात्मा दनुना तेन राघवः || ३-७१-२०
इदम् जगाद वचनम् लक्ष्मणस्य उपशृण्वतः |
When Raghava is said thus by that Kabandha, the heir of Danu, that duty-minded Rama said this word to Kabandha while Lakshmana is hearing. [3-71-20b, 21a]
20b, 21a. tena danunaa = by him, by Danu [Danu’s son]; evam uktaH = thus, who is said – Rama; dharmaatmaa raaghavaH = duty-mined, Raghava; lakSmaNasya upa shR^iNvataH = of Lakshmana’s, nearby, hearing [while Lakshmana is hearing]; idam vacanam jagaada = this, word, said [to Kabandha]
Verse 21b & 22a
रावणेन हृता सीता मम भार्या यशस्विनी || ३-७१-२१
निष्क्रांतस्य जनस्थानात् सह भ्रात्रा यथा सुखम् |
“Ravana conveniently stole my illustrious wife when myself and my brother exited from Janasthaana… [3-71-21b, 22a]
21b, 22a. janasthaanaat = from Janasthaana; saha bhraatraa = with, brother; niSkraantasya = one who exited – when I exited; mama bhaaryaa yashasvinii siitaa = my, wife, illustrious, Seetha; raavaNena yathaa sukham hR^itaa = by Ravana, as per, convenience [conveniently,] stolen.
Verse 22b & 23a
नाम मात्रम् तु जानामि न रूपम् तस्य रक्षसः || ३-७१-२२
निवासम् वा प्रभावम् वा वयम् तस्य न विद्महे |
“I only know his name but not the form of that demon… and we are unaware either of his stronghold or of his staying power… [3-71-22b, 23a]
22b, 23a. tasya rakSasaH = that, of demon; naama maatram tu jaanaami = name, only, but, I know; ruupam na = [his] form, not – I don’t know; tasya = his; nivaasam vaa = residence [stronghold,] either; prabhaavam vaa = staying power, or; vayam na vidmahe = we, of his, not, in the know of [unaware of.]
Verse 23b & 24a
शोक आर्तानाम् अनाथानाम् एवम् विपरिधावताम् || ३-७१-२३
कारुण्यम् सदृशम् कर्तुम् उपकारे च वर्तताम् |
“It will be apt of you to show befitting mercy on us who are anguished by agony, running all over helter-skelter like unsheltered ones, and we who will be compliant for your restitution… [3-71-23b, 24a]
23b, 24a. shoka aartaanaam = by agony, anguished – we are; a naathaanaam = un, sheltered ones; evam = this way; vi pari dhaavataam = verily, all over, running [we are running helter-skelter]; upakaare vartataam ca = in helpfulness [in your restitution,] [we who will be] following [comply with]; kaaruNyam = mercifulness; sadR^isham kartum [arhasi] = this type of [befitting,] to do, [apt of you to show mercy on us.]
Verse 24b & 25a
काष्ठानि आनीय भग्नानि काले शुष्काणि कुंजरैः || ३-७१-२४
धक्ष्यामः त्वाम् वयम् वीर श्वभ्रे महति कल्पिते |
“Oh, brave Kabandha, on bringing dried up firewood that was rent at times by elephants, and on digging a large trench, we will incinerate you in it… [3-71-24b, 25a]
24b, 25a. viira = oh, brave Kabandha; kaale kunjaraiH bhagnaani = at times, by elephants, rent; shuSkaaNi kaaSThaani aaniiya = dried up, firewood, on brining in; kalpite mahati shvabhre = on arranging [digging,] large, in trench; vayam tvaam dhakSyaamaH = we, you, will incinerate.
Verse 25b & 26a
स त्वम् सीताम् समाचक्ष्व येन वा यत्र वा हृता || ३-७१-२५
कुरु कल्याणम् अत्यर्थम् यदि जानासि तत्त्वतः |
“Such as you are, if you actually know who stole Seetha, or whereto she is stolen, either… you clearly inform of her when incinerated, thus you will be rendering a most gracious deed to me, and to all concerned…” Thus Rama made clear of his case. [3-71-25b, 26a]
25b, 26a. saH tvam = such as, you are; tattvataH jaanaasi yadi = actually, you know, if; siitaam = about Seetha; yena vaa = by whom, or; yatra vaa = to where, or; hR^itaa = stolen; samaacakSva = inform clearly; ati artham = very much – most; kalyaaNam kuru = gracious deed, you do.
Verse 26b & 27a
एवम् उक्तः तु रामेण वाक्यम् दनुः अनुत्तमम् || ३-७१-२६
प्रोवाच कुशलो वक्तुम् वक्तारम् अपि राघवम् |
When he is said thus that expert articulator Kabandha replied Rama, who is also an expert enunciator, with expedient words. [3-71-26b, 27a]
26b-27a. raameNa = by Rama; evam uktaH = thus, who is spoken – Kabandha; vaktum kushalaH danuH = in articulation, expert, Kabandha of Danu; vaktaaram raaghavam = to enunciator, to Raghava; anuttamam vaakyam = unexcelled [expedient words,] words; provaaca = replied.
Verse 27b & 28a
दिव्यम् अस्ति न मे ज्ञानम् न अभिजानामि मैथिलीम् || ३-७१-२७
यः ताम् ज्ञास्यति तम् वक्ष्ये दग्धः स्वम् रूपम् आस्थितः |
“There is no divine knowledge to me as of now… nor I can identify Maithili… but when I am burnt I assume my own original divine form, and then I will be able tell about him, who will find her out… [3-71-27b, 28a]
27b, 28a. me divyam GYaanam na asti = to me, divine, knowledge, not, is there; na abhijaanaami maithiliim = not, I can identify, Maithili; dagdhaH = when I am burnt down; svam ruupam aasthitaH = [my] own, form, on assuming; yaH = he; taam = her; GYaasyati = will know [will find out]; tam = him; vakSye = I tell of.
Verse 28b & 29
यो अभिजानाति तद् रक्षः तद् वक्ष्ये राम तत् परम् || ३-७१-२८
अदग्धस्य हि विज्ञातुम् शक्तिः अस्ति न मे प्रभो |
राक्षसम् तम् महावीर्यम् सीता येन हृता तव || ३-७१-२९
“With this unburnt body, oh, Rama, I indeed have no ability to discern anything, hence oh, lord, I will be able to speak about him who can familiarise you with that great mighty demon, by whom your Seetha is stolen, only after that incineration… [3-71-28b, 29]
28b, 29. prabho = oh, lord; raama = Rama; yena = by whom; tava siitaa hR^itaa = your, Seetha, is stolen; tam mahaa viiryam raakSasam = about that, great mighty, demon; viGYaatum = to know; a dagdhasya = when not, incinerated – with an unburnt body; me shaktiH na asti = ability, is not, there; tat param hi = there, after, indeed – after incineration; yaH abhijaanaati tat rakshaH = who, can familiarise, that [incineration,] demon; tat vakshye that, I speak about.
Verse 30
विज्ञानम् हि महत् भ्रष्टम् शाप दोषेण राघव |
स्वकृतेन मया प्राप्तम् रूपम् लोक विगर्हितम् || ३-७१-३०
“Oh, Raghava, utterly distorted is my acumen, indeed, by the blemish of curse… and this form which is despicable to world has bechanced only because of my own antics… [3-71-30]
30. raaghava = oh, Raghava; shaapa doSeNa = by curse’s, blemish; [mama = my]; viGYaanam = acumen; mahat bhraSTam hi = utterly, distorted, isn’t it; mayaa sva kR^itena = by me, by my own, deeds – my own antics towards sages and Indra; loka vigarhitam = world, despicable; ruupam praaptam = form, bechanced.
Verse 31
किम् तु यावत् न याति अस्तम् सविता श्रान्त वाहनः |
तावत् माम् अवटे क्षिप्त्वा दह राम यथा विधि || ३-७१-३१
“Oh, Rama, soon you have to toss me into trench to burn me customarily, sooner than the Sun’s going to Mt. Dusk when his horses are fatigued… [3-71-31]
31. raama = oh, Rama; kim tu = but; savitaa = Sun; shraanta vaahanaH = one with fatigued, vehicle [here, horses]; astam = to dusk; yaavat na yaati = soon before, not, goes; taavat = sooner than; maam avaTe kSiptvaa = me, in trench, on tossing; yathaa vidhi daha = as per, custom, burn.
Verse 32
दग्धः त्वया अहम् अवटे न्यायेन रघुनंदन |
वक्ष्यामि तम् महावीर यः तम् वेत्स्यति राक्षसम् || ३-७१-३२
“Oh, Rama, the legatee of Raghu, when I am scripturally burnt by you in a trench, oh, great valiant Rama, for sure, I will tell of him, who can quiet fathom that demon… [3-71-32]
32. mahaa viira = oh, great valiant Rama; raghunandana = oh, legatee of Raghu; aham tvayaa = I, by you; nyaayena = justifiably [scripturally]; avaTe dagdhaH = in trench, when burnt; yaH = who; tam raakSasam vetsyati = about that, demon, knows [quite fathoms]; tam = about him; vakSyaami = I [for sure] tell of.
Verse 33
तेन सख्यम् च कर्तव्यम् न्याय्य वृत्तेन राघव |
कल्पयिष्यति ते प्रीतः साहाय्यम् लघु विक्रमः || ३-७१-३३
“Oh, Raghava, you have to befriend him with an amicable comportment… and that valiantly alacritous one will be gladdened by the sequel of your friendship, and he will evolve a succour to you… [3-71-33]
33. raaghava = oh, Raghava; nyaayya vR^ittena = with amicable, comportment; tena sakhyam ca kartavyam = with him, friendship, also, made [effectuated]; laghu vikramaH = that quick-paced, valiant [valiantly alacritous Sugreeva]; priitaH = gladdened; te saahaayyam kalpayiSyati = to you, succour, evolves.
Verse 34
न हि तस्य अस्ति अविज्ञातम् त्रिषु लोकेषु राघव |
सर्वान् परिवृतो लोकान् पुरा वै कारण अन्तरे || ३-७१-३४
“Oh, Raghava, nothing is there in all the three worlds that is unfamiliar to him, for he circumnavigated all worlds once, in a different context… [3-71-34]
34. raaghava = oh, Raghava; triSu lokeSu = in three, worlds; tasya = to him; a viGYaatam = not, familiar; na asti hi = not, is there, indeed; puraa = once; kaaraNa antare = on cause, different [causa sine qua non]; sarvaan lokaan pari vR^itaH vai = all, worlds, circum, navigated, remarkably.
