Introduction
Rama arrives at the hermitage of Sage Suteekshna, as directed by Sage Sharabhanga in the previous chapter and asks the sage to show a place to dwell. Suteekshna asks Rama to stay at his own hermitage, which has no other problems than the wild animals that come in herds and make blaring noises. Rama wishes to kill those animals that hamper the tranquillity of hermits living therein, but having observed the kindness of Suteekshna towards those wild animals, however disturbing they may be, Rama refrains to kill them, and would like to go to any other place than this. They spend that night there.
Verse 1
रामः तु सहितः भ्रात्रा सीतया च परंतपः |
सुतीक्ष्णस्य आश्रम पदम् जगाम सह तैः द्विजैः || ३-७-१
Rama, the enemy-scorcher, has gone towards the threshold of the hermitage of Sage Suteekshna along with his brother Lakshmana and Seetha, also along with those Brahmans who accompanied him all the way. [4-7-1]
1. param tapaH raamaH tu = others [enemies,] scorcher, Rama, but; bhraataa siithyaa cha sahitaH = Rama, with brother, Seetha, also, along with; taiH dvijaiH saha = those, Brahmans, along with; sutiikshNasya aashrama padam jagaama = Sage Suteekshna’s, hermitage, threshold, gone towards.
Verse 2
स गत्वा दीर्घम् अध्वानम् नदीः तीर्त्वा बहु उदकाः |
ददर्श विमलम् शैलम् महा मेरुम् इव उन्नतम् || ३-७-२
He travelling on a long way, and on crossing rivers with plenty of waters has seen a tranquil mountain towering like great Mt. Meru. [3-7-2]
2. saH = he that Rama; diirgham adhvaanam gatvaa = long, way, having gone on; bahu udakaaH nadiiH tiirtvaa = with plenty, of waters, rivers, on crossing; mahaa merum iva unnatam = great, Mt. Meru, like, towering; vimalam shailam- tranquil mountain; dadarsha = has seen.
Verse 3
ततः तद् इक्ष्वाकु वरौ सततम् विविधैः द्रुमैः |
काननम् तौ विविशतुः सीतया सह राघवौ || ३-७-३
Then those best ones from Ikshvaku dynasty, those two Raghava-s along with Seetha have entered the forest which will always be full with diverse trees. [3-7-3]
3. tataH ikshvaaku varau = then, of Ikshvaku-s, those, best ones; tau raaghavau = those, Raghava-s; siitayaa saha = along with Seetha; satatam vividhaiH drumaiH = always, with divers, tress; tat kaananam vivishatuH = that, forest, they, entered.
Verse 4
प्रविष्टः तु वनम् घोरम् बहु पुष्प फल द्रुमम् |
ददर्श आश्रमम् एकान्ते चीर माला परिष्कृतम् || ३-७-४
Entering that perilous forest with its many a flower and fruit bearing trees, they have seen the hermitage in a reclusive place adorned with rows of jute cloths as though garlanding it. [3-7-4]
4. pravishtaH tu vanam ghoram = entering, forest, perilous one; bahu puSpa phala drumam = with many, flower and fruit bearing trees; dadarsha aashramam = have seen, hermitage; ekaante = in a reclusive place; ciira maalaa parishkR^itam = jute cloths, garlanded, adorned with.
Verse 5
तत्र तापसम् आसीनम् मल पङ्कज धारिणम् |
रामः सुतीक्ष्णम् विधिवत् तपोधनम् अभाषत || ३-७-५
There on seeing the ascetically rich Sage Suteekshna sitting in yogic posture with his body bearing lotus-like blotches of soil, Rama dutifully spoke to him. [3-7-5]
5. tatra = there; Rama; mala pankaja dhaariNam = soiled, [lotus-like] blotches bearing; aasiinam = one who is sitting; tapaH dhanam = ascetically wealthy one; taapasam sutiikshnam = ascetic, Suteekshna; [dR^iSTvaa = having seen]; vidhivat = dutifully; abhaaSata = spoke to.
Verse 6
रामोऽहम् अस्मि भगवन् भवन्तम् द्रष्टुम् आगतः |
तत् मा अभिवद धर्मज्ञ महर्षे सत्य विक्रम || ३-७-६
“Oh! godly sage I am Rama, I have come to see you, hence oh, knower of virtue, oh, great sage, oh, one with truthfulness as your courage, please talk to me…” [3-7-6]
6. bhagavan = oh god; aham raamaH asmi = I am Rama; bhavantam draSTum aagataH = you, to see, have come; tat = therefore; dharmaGYa = O, virtue-knower; maharSe = great sage; satya vikrama = truthfulness, having as your courage; maa abhi vada = to me, you talk.
Verse 7
स निरीक्ष्य ततः धीरो रामम् धर्मभृताम् वरम् |
समाश्लिष्य च बाहुभ्याम् इदम् वचनम् अब्रवीत् || ३-७-७
Then that sage having seen that brave and best proponent of virtue, Rama, embraced him with both of his hands, and spoke this sentence. [3-7-7]
7. tataH = then; dhiiraH saH = highly learned one, he that sage; niriikshya = having seen bhR^itaam varam raamam = virtue, proponent, the best one, at Rama; baahubhyaam sam aashlishya ca = with both hands, well embracing, also; idam vacanam abraviit = this, sentence, said.
Verse 8
स्वागतम् ते रघु श्रेष्ठ राम सत्यभृताम् वर |
आश्रमओ अयम् त्वया आक्रान्तः सनाथ इव सांप्रतम् || ३-७-८
“Welcome to you Rama, best of Raghu dynasty and the best patron of truth, and when you presently caught this hermitage unprepared this has become a well-lorded one… [3-7-8]
8. svaagatam te raghu shreSTha = welcome, to you, Raghu, the best; Rama; satya bhR^itaam vara = truth, patron, the best; saampratam = presently; tvayaa aakraantaH = by you, caught unprepared [treaded upon]; ayam aashramaH = this, hermitage; sa naatha iva[as if] with, a husband one, like – well-lorded one; [babhuuva = became.]
Verse 9 & 10a
प्रतीक्षमाणः त्वाम् एव न आरोहे अहम् महायशः |
देव लोकम् इतो वीर देहम् त्यक्त्वा महीतले || ३-७-९
चित्रकूटम् उपादाय राज्य भ्रष्टो असि मे श्रुतः |
“I am awaiting for you only, oh, greatly renowned one, without my ascent to heavens by casting off this body on the earth’s plane, oh, brave one, for I have heard that you have arrived at Chitrakuta after you are repudiated from your kingdom… [3-7-9]
9, 10a. mahaa yashaH = greatly renowned; viira = brave one; aham tvaam eva = I, for you, only; pratiikshamaaNaH = while awaiting; deham tyaktvaa mahii tale = body, casting off, on earth’s plane; itaH deva lokam na aarohe = from here, gods world [heavens,] not, ascended; raajya bhraSTaH citrakuuTam upaadaaya asi = from kingdom, repudiated, at Chitrakuta, arrived, you are;[iti = thus a]; me shrutaH = I heard thus.
Verse 10b & 11
इह उपयातः काकुत्स्थः देवराजः शततक्रतुः || ३-७-१०
उपागंय च मे देवो महादेवः सुर ईश्वरः |
सर्वान् लोकान् जितान् आह मम पुण्येन कर्मणा || ३-७-११
“The king of gods and the chief invitee in hundred sacrifices Indra approached me, and that great deity said me that I have conquered all the worlds by my meritorious deeds… [3-7-10, 11]
10b, 11. kaakutsthaH = Rama; shata kratuH deva rajaH iha upayaataH = one with hundred rituals, deities, king, here, he came; mahaadevaH sura iishvaraH = great god, celestials’ ; devaH = such Indra; upaagamya = on approaching; mama puNyena karmaNaa = by my, meritorious, deeds; sarvaan lokaan jitaan = all, worlds, conquered [ by me]; maam aaha = [thus] to me, he said.
Verse 12
तेषु देव ऋषि जुष्टेषु जितेशु तपसा मया |
मत् प्रसादात् स भार्यः त्वम् विहरस्व स लक्ष्मणः || ३-७-१२
“Let me bequeath those worlds that are cherished by gods and sages alike, but which are won over by me by my ascesis, and you enjoy in them with your wife and with your brother Lakshmana… [3-7-12]
12. mayaa tapasaa jiteSu deva R^iSi juSTeSu = by me, by ascesis, won over, by gods and sages, cherished; teSu = in them [those conquered worlds]; sa bhaaryaH = with, your wife; sa lakshmanaH = with, Lakshmana; tvam mat prasaadaat viharasva = you, by my, bequeathal, you enjoy.
Verse 13
तम् उग्र तपसम् दीप्तम् महर्षिम् सत्य वादिनम् |
प्रत्युवाच आत्मवान् रामो ब्रह्माणम् इव वासवः || ३-७-१३
That self-respecting Rama replied the radiant sage with intense asceticism, a great soul and an advocate of truth by himself, as Indra would reply to Brahma. [3-7-13]
13. aatmavaan = self-respecting one; Rama; ugra tapasaa diiptam = by intense, asceticism, radiant one; tam = him; maharSim = to great sage; satya vaadinam = truth, advocate of; prati uvaaca = in turn, said; brahmaaNam iva vaasavaH = to Brahma, like, Indra.
Verse 14
अहम् एव आहरिष्यामि स्वयम् लोकान् महामुने |
आवासम् तु अहम् इच्छामि प्रदिष्टम् इह कानने || ३-७-१४
“I alone can gain all those worlds, oh, great saint, I now seek a place to dwell here in this forest as indicated by you… [3-7-14]
14. mahaamune = oh, great saint; aham eva aaharishyaami svayam = I, alone, will gain, myself; lokaan = all worlds; aavasam tu = dwelling place, only; aham icChaami = I seek; pradiSTam iha kaanane = indicated [by you,] here, in this forest.
Verse 15
भवान् सर्वत्र कुशलः सर्वभूत हिते रतः |
आख्यातः शरभंगेन गौतमेन महात्मना || ३-७-१५
“You are an expert in all affairs, and you are interested in the welfare of all the beings, so said the great souled Sage Sharabhanga of Sage Gautama’s dynasty…” [So said Rama to the sage.] [3-7-15]
15. bhavaan sarvatra kushalaH = you are, in all affairs, expert; sarva bhuuta hiteH rataH = all, beings’, welfare, interested in; aakhyaataH mahaatmanaa = sharabhangena gautamena = said by, great soul, Sharabhanga, belonging to sage Gautama’s dynasty.
Verse 16
एवम् उक्तः तु रामेण महर्षिः लोक विश्रुतः |
अब्रवीत् मधुरम् वाक्यम् हर्षेण महता युतः || ३-७-१६
When said thus by Rama, that great sage with world renown spoke sweet worded sentence with great pleasure. [3-7-16]
16. raameNa evam uktaH = by Rama, that way, when said; loka vishrutaH maharSiH = world, renowned, sage; mahataa harSeNa yutaH = with great, joy, having; abraviit madhuram vaakyam = spoke, sweet worded, sentence.
Verse 17
अयम् एव आश्रमो राम गुणवान् रंयताम् इति |
ऋषि संघ अनुचरितः सदा मूल फलैर् युतः || ३-७-१७
“You can take delight in this good featured hermitage alone, for groups of sages will always be moving here, and this always contains tubers and fruits…” Thus said Sage Suteekshna. [3-7-17]
17. Rama; R^ishi sangha anu charitaH = sage, groups, well, moving about; sadaa muula phalaiH yutaH = always, tubers, fruits, containing in; ayam aashramaH eva guNavaan = this, hermitage, alone, fully featured one; [by you] ramyataam iti = delight here, thus.
Verse 18
इमम् आश्रमम् आगंय मृग संघा महीयसः |
अहत्वा प्रतिगच्छन्ति लोभयित्वा अकुतोभयाः || ३-७-१८
“But herds of very large animals will be coming to this hermitage, they return after scaring us, of course without killing anyone, and they fear none… [3-7-18]
18. imam aashramam aagamya = to this hermitage, having come; mR^iga sanghaa mahiiyasaH = deer, herds, large ones; a hatvaa prati gacChanti = without killing, return they go; lobhayitvaa = luring us; a kutaH bhayaaH = not, from anyone, fearing [fearing none.]
Verse 19 & 20a
ना अन्यो दोषो भवेत् अत्र मृगेभ्यः अन्यत्र विद्धि वै |
तत् श्रुत्वा वचनम् तस्य महर्षेः लक्ष्मणाग्रजः || ३-७-१९
उवाच वचनम् धीरो विगृह्य स शरम् धनुः |
“Know that no other problem is there other than the animals…” So said the sage. On hearing those words of that great sage, that brave elder brother of Lakshmana taking bow and arrow said this sentence. [3-7-19, 20a]
19, 20a. viddhi vai = you know, thus indeed; atra mR^igebhyaH anyatra anya doSaH naa bhavet = here, from animals, other than, other, problem, will not, be there; dhiiraH lakshmamaNa agrajaH = couraeous one, Lakshmana’s, elder – Rama; tasya maharsheH tat vacanam shrutvaa = of that, great sage, that, sentence, on hearing; sa sharam dhanuH vi gR^ihya = with, arrow, bow, on taking; uvaaca vacanam = said, sentence.
Verse 20b & 21a
तान् अहम् सुमहाभाग मृगसंघान् समागतान् || ३-७-२०
हन्याम् निशित धारेण शरेण नत पर्वणा |
“I will eradicate them, oh, greatly blessed one, those animals that will come collectively in herds with sharp edged, curve-end arrows… [3-7-20b, 21a]
20b, 21a. su mahaa bhaagaH = oh, greatly, blessed one; samaagataan taan mR^iga sanghaan = that collective come, animal, herds; shareNa nishita dhaareNa nata parvaNaa = arrows, having sharp edges, curved, ends; aham hanyaam = I will, eradicate.
Verse 21b & 22a
भवान् तत्र अभिषज्येत किम् स्यात् कृच्छ्र तरम् ततः || ३-७-२१
एतस्मिन् आश्रमे वासम् चिरम् तु न समर्थये |
“But you may be more interested in those animals mercifully, then what will be there more painful to you, hence I deem our staying in this hermitage for along will be unbefitting…” So said Rama. [3-7-21b, 22a]
21b, 22a. tatra bhavaan abhishajyetaH = in them, you may be, interested [mercifully]; tataH kR^icChra taram kim syaat = than that, more painful, what, will be, there; [therefore]; etasmin aashrame ciram vaasam na samarthaye = in this, hermitage, for a long, staying, not, befitting [thus I deem.]
Verse 24
ततः शुभम् तापस अन्नम्
स्वयम् सुतीक्ष्णः पुरुषर्षभाभ्याम् |
ताभ्याम् सुसत्कृत्य ददौ महात्मा
संध्या निवृत्तौ रजनीम् समीक्ष्य || ३-७-२४
Then the great soul Sage Suteekshna on completing his evening rituals and on observing the fall of night he himself courteously served food that is auspicious and worthy of sages to two of the best men, Rama and Lakshmana. [3-7-23]
23. tataH = then; mahaatmaa sutiikshaNaH sandhyaa nivR^ittau = great souled, Suteekshna, evening rituals, on completing; rajaniim avekshya = nightfall, on observing; taabhyaam puruSarSabhaabhyaam = to two of them, men, best among; su satkR^itya = well, looking after [courteously]; shubham taapasa annam = auspicious one, sage’s, food; svayam = himself; dadau = gave [served.]
Verse 22b & 23
तम् एवम् उक्त्वा उपरमम् रामः संध्याम् उपागमत् || ३-७-२२
अन्वास्य पश्चिमाम् संध्याम् तत्र वासम् अकल्पयत् |
सुतीक्ष्णस्य आश्रमे रंये सीतया लक्ष्मनेन च || ३-७-२३
On saying thus to the sage then Rama came by the twilight, and he paused at it. On worshipping the westward vesperal time, Rama arranged a stay for himself along with Seetha and Lakshmana, there in that delightful hermitage of Sage Suteekshna. [3-7-22b, 23]
22b, 23. Rama; tam evam uktvaa = to him [to sage,] thus, on saying; upa ramam = paused; sandhyaam upa aagamat = twilight, nearly, came by; anvaasya pashcimaam sandhyaam = worshipped, the westward, vesperal time; siitayaa lakshmaNena cha = with Seetha, with Lakshmana, too; sutiikshNasya aashrame ramye = Suteekshna’s, hermitage, delightful one; tatra vaasam akalpayat = there, stay, arranged for himself.
