Introduction
Viradha the demon confronts Rama and other and tries to abduct Seetha, and then Rama. The killing of this Viradha is the first act of Rama in eliminating negative forces in his empire to establish Rama Raajya. This killing is also a gift to Sage Sharabhanga, whom he meets later, as per the meaning of verse I-1-41 of Samkshepa Ramayana contained in Bala Kanda. Rama thus started to act freeing the saints and sages in forests, and the forests themselves, from the cruelties of demons. Viradha is a demon by curse and a devotee Goddess Lakshmi, now incarnate as Seetha. Hence this demon wanted to own his goddess and hence lifts Seetha into his hands to abduct her away from Rama. But Rama and Lakshmana overpower and eliminate him, rescuing not only Seetha, but also other saints and sages living thereabout.
Verse 1
कृत आतिथ्योऽथ रामस्तु सूर्यस्य उदयनम् प्रति |
आमंत्र्य स मुनीम् तत् सर्वान् वनम् एव अन्वगाहत || ३-२-१
Then, on receiving the hospitality in that hermitage for that day, and on the next day before sunrise, Rama bade farewell to all of the sages, and thus entered the deep forests. [3-2-1]
1. atha = then; kR^ita aatithyaH = on receiving, hospitality; saH raamaH tu = he, that Rama; suuryasya udayanam prati = sun, rise, before; sarvaan muniin aamantrya = all, sages, bade farewell; vanam eva anvagaahataH = into forests, thus, entered [the deep of forest.]
Verse 2 & 3
नाना मृग गण आकीर्णम् ऋक्ष शार्दूल सेवितम् |
ध्वस्त वृक्ष लता गुल्मम् दुर्दर्श सलिलाशयम् || ३-२-२
निष्कूजमाना शकुनि झिल्लिका गण नादितम् |
लक्ष्मण अनुचरोओ रामो वन मध्यम् ददर्श ह || ३-२-३
Rama followed by Lakshmana has indeed seen that midst of the forest which is filled with very many animal herds, where the bears and tigers are frequenting, and whose trees, creepers, bushes are ruined, water ponds rendered unsightly, birds song-less, but where the swarms of crickets are whistling deafeningly. [3-3-2, 3]
2-3. lakshmana anucharaH = Lakshmana, following; raamaH = Rama; naanaa mR^iga gaNa aakiirNam = very many, animal, herds of, filled with; R^iksha shaarduula sevitam = bears, tigers, adored by [frequented by]; dhastva = ruined are; vR^iksha lathaa gulmam = trees, creepers, bushes; dur darsha = unsightly; salila aashayam = water, ponds; nisH kuujamaana shakuni = not, singing, birds; jhillikaa gaNa naaditam = crickets, swarms, whistling [deafeningly]; vana madhyam = forest’s, midst of; dadarsha ha = has seen, indeed.
Verse 4
सीताया सह काकुत्स्थः तस्मिन् घोर मृग आयुते |
ददर्श गिरि शृङ्ग आभम् पुरुषादम् महास्वनम् || ३-२-४
Therein Rama has seen along with Seetha, a lurid voiced man-eater who is akin to a mountain-peak, among horrendous animals. [3-2-4]
4. tasmin = in there; siithaayaa saha kaakuthsa = Seetha, along with, Rama; dadarsha = saw; ghora mR^iga aayute = horrendous, animals, among; giri sR^i~Nga aabham = mountain, peak, akin to; puruSa aadam = man-eater; mahaa svanam = lurid, voiced one.
Verse 5
गम्भीर अक्षम् महावक्त्रम् विकटम् विकटोदरम् |
बीभत्सम् विषमम् दीर्घम् विकृतम् घोर दर्शनम् || ३-२-५
Deep eyed, huge mouthed, horrible with a monstrous belly, hideously misshapen, and a very soaring one that demon is, an ugly one with a horrendous look. [3-2-5]
5. gabhiira aksham = deep, eyed; mahaa vaktram = large, mouthed; vikaTam = horrible; vikaTa udaram = monstrous, bellied; biibhatsam = hideous; viSamam = misshapen; diirgham = very soaring; vikR^itam = ugly; ghora darshanam = horrendous, look.
Verse 6
वसानम् चर्म वैयाघ्रम् वस आर्द्रम् रुधिरोक्षितम् |
त्रासनम् सर्व भूतानाम् व्यादितास्यम् इव अन्तकम् || ३-२-६
Wearing tiger’s skin that is wetted with fat and dampened with blood, he is frightening to all beings like the wide-open mouth of Death. [3-2-6]
6. vasaanam charma vaiyaaghram = wearing, skin, of tiger; vasa aardram = fat, wetted; rudhiraH ukshitam = blood, dampened; traasanam sarva bhuutaanaaam = frightening, to all, beings; vyaadita aasyam iva antakam = wide-open, mouth, like, Death.
Verse 7 & 8a
त्रीन् सिंहान् चतुरो व्याघ्रान् द्वौ वृकौ पृषतान् दश |
सविषाणम् वसादिग्धम् गजस्य च शिरो महत् || ३-२-७
अवसज्य आअयसे शूले विनदन्तम् महास्वनम् |
He skewered three lions, four tigers, two wolves, ten spotted deer, and a big head of an elephant with tusks and fouled with fat on an iron spear, and he is yelling with his deafening voice. [3-2-7-8a]
7-8a. triin simhaan = three, lions; charuraH vyaaghraan = four, tigers; dvaau vR^ikau = two, wolves; pR^iSTaan dasha = spotted deer, ten; sa viSaaNam = with, tusks; vasaa digdhaam = with fat, fouled; mahat shiraH gajasya cha = a big, head, of elephant, also; avasajya aayase shuule = skewered onto, iron, spear; vi nadantam = verily, yelling; mahaa svanam = with blaring voice.
Verse 7 & 8a
त्रीन् सिंहान् चतुरो व्याघ्रान् द्वौ वृकौ पृषतान् दश |
सविषाणम् वसादिग्धम् गजस्य च शिरो महत् || ३-२-७
अवसज्य आअयसे शूले विनदन्तम् महास्वनम् |
He skewered three lions, four tigers, two wolves, ten spotted deer, and a big head of an elephant with tusks and fouled with fat on an iron spear, and he is yelling with his deafening voice. [3-2-7-8a]
7-8a. triin simhaan = three, lions; charuraH vyaaghraan = four, tigers; dvaau vR^ikau = two, wolves; pR^iSTaan dasha = spotted deer, ten; sa viSaaNam = with, tusks; vasaa digdhaam = with fat, fouled; mahat shiraH gajasya cha = a big, head, of elephant, also; avasajya aayase shuule = skewered onto, iron, spear; vi nadantam = verily, yelling; mahaa svanam = with blaring voice.
Verse 8b & 9a
स रामम् लक्ष्मणम् चैव सीताम् दृष्ट्वा च मैथिलीम् || ३-२-८
अभ्य धावत् सुसंक्रुद्धो प्रजाः काल इव अन्तकः |
He that demon on seeing Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha ran towards them very angrily, like the Time, the Eliminator of people. [3-2-8b-9a]
8b-9a. saH = he that demon; raamam lakshmanam cha eva siithaam ca maithiliim = at Rama, Lakshmana, also, thus Seetha, the Maithili; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; abhya dhaavat = towards, ran; su samkruddhaH = very, angrily; prajaaH kaala iva antakaH = of people, Time, like, eliminator.
Verse 9b & 10a
स कृत्वा भैरवम् नादम् चालयन् इव मेदिनीम् || ३-२-९
अङ्केन आदाय वैदेहीम् अपक्रंय तदा अब्रवीत् |
He shouted a tremulous blare, as though to tremor the earth, and seized Vaidehi with his arms and gone afar, and then said this way. [9b-10a]
9b-10a. saH kR^itvaa bhairava naadam = he, shouting, tremulous, blare; chaalayan iva mediniim = to tremor, as though, the earth; ankena aadaaya vaidehiim = by arms, seizing, Vaidehi; apa kramya = afar, gone; tadaa abraviit = then, said [this way.]
Verse 10b & 11a
युवाम् जटा चीर धरौ सभार्यौ क्षीण जीवितौ || ३-२-१०
प्रविष्टौ दण्डकारण्यम् शर चाप असि पाणिनौ |
“You two wear jute cloths like hermits, but handle arrows, bows and swords like warriors, yet entered Dandaka forest with your wife… your lives are on the wane… [3-2-10b-11a]
10. yuvaam = you two; jata chiira dharau = jute, cloths, wearers [like hermits]; kshiiNa jiivitau = with dwindled, lives; sa bhharyau = with, wife; shara chaapa asi dhaariNau = arrow, bow, sword, wielding [like warriors]; dandaka aranyam praviShTau = Dandaka forests entered.
Verse 11b & 12a
कथम् तापसयोः युवाम् च वासः प्रमदया सह || ३-२-११
अधर्म चारिणौ पापौ कौ युवाम् मुनि दूषकौ |
“How saintly are you while living with your wife? You sinful fellows dishonest are you ways… who are you… you insulters of sainthood? [3-2-11b-12a]
11b-12a. katham taapasayoH yuvaam cha = how, saintly, you are, also; vaasa pramadaaya saha = living, with wife, withal; a dharma chaariNau = dishonest, you ways, are; paapau = sinful ones; kau yuvaam muni duuSakau = who [you are], you two, sainthood, insulters of.
Verse 12b & 13a
अहम् वनम् इदम् दुर्गम् विराघो नाम राक्षसः || ३-२-१२
चरामि सायुधो नित्यम् ऋषि मांसानि भक्षयन् |
“I am a demon named Viradha and I will be on the rove in this impassable forest with weapon, always eating the flesh of sages… [3-2-12b-13a]
12b-13a. aham = I am; viraadha naama raakshasaH = Viradha, named, demon; sa aayudhaH = with, weapon; nityam R^iSi maamsa bhakshayan = always, sage’s, flesh, eating; dur gam idam vanam charaami = impassable, this, in forest, I rove.
Verse 13b & 14a
इयम् नारी वरारोहा मम भार्या भविष्यति || ३-२-१३
युवयोः पापयोः च अहम् पास्यामि रुधिरम् मृधे |
“This best waisted woman will be my wife, and I will drink your blood of you two sinful one in a fight with you… [3-2-13b-14a]
13b-14a. varaarohaa = well waisted one; iyam naarii = this, woman; mama bhaaryaa bhavishyati = my, wife, she becomes; aham mR^idhe = I will, in fight; paapayoH = sinful ones; yuvayoH rudhiram paasyaami = your, blood, I will drink.
Verse 14b & 15a
तस्य एवम् ब्रुवतो दुष्टम् विराधस्य दुरात्मनः || ३-२-१४
श्रुत्वा सगर्वितम् वाक्यम् संभ्रान्ता जनकात्मजा |
On listening those arrogant words spoken in bad intent by that evil minded Viradha, Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, is much panicked. [3-2-14b-15a.]
14b-15a. evam = that way; bruvataH = speaking; duraatmanaH = eveil minded one; tasya viraadhasya = his, that Viradha’s; sa garvitam = with, pride; duSTam = in bad intent; vaakyam = words; shrutvaa = on hearing; janaka aatmaja sambhraantaa = Janaka’s daughter, is much panicked.
Verse 15b & 16
सीता प्रावेपिता उद्वेगात् प्रवाते कदली यथा || ३-२-१५
ताम् दृष्ट्वा राघवः सीताम् विराध अङ्कगताम् शुभाम् |
अब्रवीत् लक्ष्मणम् वाक्यम् मुखेन परिशुष्यता || ३-२-१६
Seetha in fear wiggled like a plantain tree in a whirlwind, and on seeing at the auspicious lady gone into the arms of Viradha, Raghava spoke this sentence to Lakshmana, with his face fully turning to pale. [3-2-15b-16]
15b-16. siitaa udvegaat = in fear, pravaate kadalii yathaa = in whirlwind, plantain tree, like; pravepita = verily wiggled; raaghavaH = Rama; viraadha anka gataam shubhaam = into Viradha’s, arms, gone in, auspicious lady; taam dR^iSTvaa siithaam = her, on seeing, at Seetha; abraviit lakshmanam vaakyam = spoke, to Lakshmana, sentence; mukhena pari Sushyataa = with his face, fully, turning to pale.
Verse 17 & 18a
पश्य सौंय नरेन्द्रस्य जनकस्य अत्म संभवाम् |
मम भार्याम् शुभाचाराम् विराधाङ्के प्रवेशिताम् || ३-२-१७
अत्यन्त सुख संवृद्धाम् राजपुत्रीम् यशस्विनीम् |
“See! Gentle Lakshmana, see that illustrious princes Seetha, the daughter of emperor Janaka, one who is brought up comfortably in immense comfort, and my auspiciously traditional wife… now gone into the wretched hands of a demon… [3-2-17-18a]
17-18a. pashya soumya = see, oh gentle one [Lakshmana]; narendrasya janakasya aatma sambhavaam = emperor’s, of Janaka, soul, born [daughter]; mama bhaaryaam = my, wife; shubha aachaaraam = auspiciously, traditional; viraadha anke praveshitaam = Viraadha’s, arm-fold, entered atyanta sukha samvR^idhaam = immense, in comfort, comfortably brought up; raaja putriim yashasviniim = king’s, daughter, illustrious one.
Verse 18b & 19a
यत् अभिप्रेतम् अस्मासु प्रियम् वर वृतम् च यत् || ३-२-१८
कैकेय्यास्तु सुसंवृत्तम् क्षिप्रम् अद्य एव लक्ष्मण |
“That which is desired to befall on us, and that which is the choicest desire of Kaikeyi, and that which is concomitant to her boons, oh, Lakshmana, that has come to pass quickly, and today only Lakshmana… [3-2-18b-19a]
18b-19a. oh, Lakshmana; asmaasu yat abhipretam = in our respect, which is, desired [to befall on us]; yat vara vR^itam cha = which is, by boons, happened [concomitant to]; kaikeyyaH priyam = for Kaikeyi, choicest; adya eva kshipram susamvR^ittam = today, only quickly, came to pass.
Verse 19b & 20
या न तुष्यति राज्येन पुत्रार्थे दीर्घ दर्शिनी || ३-२-१९
ययाऽहम् सर्वभूतानाम् प्रियः प्रस्थापितो वनम् |
अद्य इदानीम् सकामा सा या माता मम मध्यमा || ३-२-२०
“She who is a foresighted lady, she who is not happy with the kingdom for her son, she by whom I, a dear one to all beings, am sent to forests, and she is my middle mother, her desire is fulfilled today, nay now itself… [3-2-19b-20]
19b-20. yaa = she who is diirgha darshanii = fore, sighted lady; putraarthe = for her son; raajyena na tuSyati = by kingdom, not, happy; yayaa = by whom; aham sarva bhuutaanaa priyaH = I am, for all, beings, dear one; prasthaapitaH vanam = sent forth, to forest; yaa mama maataa madhyamaa = she, who is, my, mother, middle one; saa = such she; adya idaaniim = today, now; sa kaamaa = with fulfilled, desire.
Verse 21
पर स्पर्शात् तु वैदेह्या न दुःखतरम् अस्ति मे |
पितुर् विनाशात् सौमित्रे स्व राज्य हरणात् तथा || ३-२-२१
“To me, oh, Soumitri, the grief of others touching Seetha is more, than father’s demise or grabbing away my kingdom… [3-2-21]
21. Soumitri; pitur vinaashaat = father’s, by demise; tathaa = like that; sva raajya haraNaat = my, kingdom, than grabbing away; para sparshaat vaidehyaa = others, touching, Seetha; na duHkha taram asti me = no, grief, higher, is, to me.
Verse 22
इति ब्रुवति काकुत्स्थे बाष्प शोक परिप्लुतः |
अब्रवीत् लक्ष्मणः क्रुद्धो रुद्धो नाग इव श्वसन् || ३-२-२२
When said thus by Rama, Lakshmana said this with flooding tears of lament, and in his anger hissing like a forestalled snake. [3-2-22]
22. iti bruvati kaakuthse = thus, when said, by Rama; lakshmanaH = Lakshmana; baashpa shoka pari pluta = tears, in lament, over, flooding; kruddhaH = in anger; ruddhaH naaga iva shvasan = forestalled, snake, like, hissing; abraviit = said.
Verse 23
अनाथ इव भूतानाम् नाथः त्वम् वासवोपमः |
मया प्रेष्येण काकुत्स्थः किम् अर्थम् परितप्यसे || ३-२-२३
“Oh, Rama, you being the Indra like lord of all beings, and while you are being attended by an adherent like me, what for you worry yourself like a derelict? [3-2-23]
23. kaakuthsa = oh, Rama; bhuutaanaam naathaH = for all beings, lord; vaasava upama = Indra, in similitude; tvam anaatha iva = you, derelict, like; preSyena mayaa = adherent, I am [with you]; kim artham paritapyase = what for, you, worry yourself.
Verse 24
शरेण निहतस्य अद्य मया क्रुद्धेन रक्षसः |
विराधस्य गत असोः हि मही पास्यति शोणितम् || ३-२-२४
“He will now be felled with my arrow as I am enraged at him, and gone are his lives now, and indeed the earth shall drink his blood… [3-2-24]
24. kruddhena maya = an enraged one, by me; adya shreNa nihatasya = now, by arrow, felled; gata ashuH = gone are, his lives; rakshasaH viraadhasya shoNitam = demon, Viradha’s, blood; mahii paasyati hi = earth, drinks, indeed.
Verse 26
मम भुज बल वेग वेगितः
पततु शरोऽस्य महान् महोरसि |
व्यपनयतु तनोः च जीवितम्
पततु ततः च महीम् विघूर्णितः || ३-२-२६
“Accelerated by my shoulder strength this ruinous arrow shall fall on his massive chest, thus life from his body shall decamp, and then he shall whirlingly fall onto the earth…” So said Lakshmana. [3-2-26]
26. mama bhuja bala = by my, shoulder, strength; vega vegitaH = by speed, accelerated; mahaan sharaH = ruinous, arrow; asya mahaa urashi patatu = on his, massive chest, shall fall; tanoH jiivitam vyapanayatu = from body, life, shall decamp; tataH vighuurNitaH mahiim patatu = then, whirling, on earth, shall fall.
Verse 25
राज्य कामे मम क्रोधो भरते यो बभूव ह |
तम् विराधे विमोक्ष्यामि वज्री वज्रम् इव अचले ||३-२-२५
“Indeed, that which anger was there to me on Bharata when he desired kingdom, that anger I will now release on Viradha, as Indra released his Thunderbolt on the mountain… [3-2-25]
25. raajya kaame bharate = kingdom, in desiring, on Bharata; mama yaH krodhaH babhuuva ha = my, which, anger, was there, indeed; tam = that, anger; vajrii vajram achale iva = Indra, Thunderbolt [released,] on the mountain, as with; viraadhe vi mokshyaami = on Viradha, I will release.
