Introduction
The pomp and pageantry of Ravana is portrayed along with his idiosyncrasy and individuality, his triumphs and victories, his jalousies and covetousness. Shuurpanakha approaches him to inform of her fate at the hand of Lakshmana.
Verse 1 & 2
ततः शूर्पणखा दृष्ट्वा सहस्राणि चतुर्दश |
हतानि एकेन रामेण रक्षसाम् भीम कर्मणाम् || ३-३२-१
दूषणम् च खरम् चैव हतम् त्रिशिरसम् रणे |
दृष्ट्वा पुनर् महानादम् ननाद जलद उपमा || ३-३२-२
On seeing the fourteen thousands demons of heinous crimes, and even on seeing Trishira, Duushana, and even Khara, who are all exterminated by lone Rama, then Shuurpanakha emitted a thunderous blare like a thundercloud. [3-32-1, 2]
1, 2. tataH = then; shuurpaNakhaa = Shuurpanakha; ekena raameNa = by lone, Rama; bhiima karmaNaam rakSasaam catur dasha sahasraaNi = of heinous, acts – crimes, demons, four, ten, thousand; hataani dR^iSTvaa = as exterminated, on seeing; trishirasam duuSaNam ca kharam caiva = Trishira, Duushana, also, Khara, also thus; raNe = in war; hatam dR^iSTvaa = killed, on seeing; punaH = again; jala da upamaa = water, giver [cloud,] in simile; mahaa naadam nanaada = great, blare, blared.
Verse 3
सा दृष्ट्वा कर्म रामस्य कृतम् अन्यैः सुदुष्करम् |
जगाम परम उद्विग्ना लंकाम् रावण पालिताम् || ३-३२-३
Highly agitated to witness the deed done by Rama, which deed is highly impossible for others, she hurried Lanka ruled by Ravana. [3-32-3]
3. saa = she; anyaiH su duS karam = to others, highly, not, possible; raamasya kR^itam karma = what Rama, has done, the deed; dR^iSTvaa = having seen; parama udvignaa = highly, agitated; raavaNa paalitaam lankaam jagaama = by Ravana, ruled, to Lanka, she hurried to.
Verse 4
सा ददर्श विमान अग्रे रावणम् दीप्त तेजसम् |
उपोपविष्टम् सचिवैः मरुद्भिः इव वासवम् || ३-३२-४
She saw Ravana who is fulgent with his own radiance, seated with ministers at his nearby in the midst of the divine aircraft Pushpaka, as with Indra who will be sitting amidst wind-gods. [3-32-4]
4. saa = she; marudbhiH vaasavam iva = with Wind-gods, Indra, as with; sacivaiH = with ministers; upa upa viSTam = nearly, nearby, seated; diipta tejasam = fulgent, with his own radiance; raavaNam = at Ravana; vimaana agre = in aircraft [divine aircraft named Pushpaka,] midst of, or, on the top of a skyscraper; dadarsha = she saw.
Verse 5
आसीनम् सूर्य संकाशे कांचने परमासने |
रुक्म वेदि गतम् प्राज्यम् ज्वलंतम् इव पावकम् || ३-३२-५
Seated similar to the Sun in firmament on a supreme golden throne, which resembles a golden Altar of Fire, and he himself resembling the blazing Ritual-fire spurting out of it when that Golden-Fire-Altar is drenched with plentiful ghee, she saw such a Ravana. [3-32-5]
5. suurya samkaashe = to Sun, who is similar to – Ravana; kaancane parama aasane = golden, supreme, on a throne; thus who is like; rukma vedi gatam = with golden, Fire-altar, going in – available in that Altar; pra ajyam = plentifully, drenched with ghee – clarified butter; jvalantam = flaring up; paavakam iva = Ritual-fire, as with; aasiinam = who is seated; Shuurpanakha saw.
Verse 6
देव गन्धर्व भूतानाम् ऋषीणाम् च महात्मनाम् |
अजेयम् समरे घोरम् व्यात्त आननम् इव अन्तकम् || ३-३२-६
An invincible one either for gods or gandharva-s, or to sages with exalted souls, or even to any other entity worth its name, whose appearance itself is catastrophic, and who is sitting identical to the Terminator, as though that Terminator himself is sitting with a wide gaped mouth, at such a Ravana Shuurpanakha saw. [3-32-6]
6. deva gandharva bhuutaanaam = by gods, by gandharva-s, by [other] beings; mahaa aatmanaam R^iSiiNaam ca = by exalted, souls, sages, also; samare a jeyam = in war, not, conquerable one – Ravana; ghoram = catastrophic in look; he is like; vyaatta [vi aatta] aananam antakam iva = verily, gaping, mouth, Terminator, as with.
Verse 7
देव असुर विमर्देषु वज्र अशनि कृत व्रणम् |
ऐरावत विषाण अग्रैः उत्कृष्ट किण वक्षसम् || ३-३२-७
One who is severally bruised in several combats of gods and demons with the thunderbolts from the Vajra weapon of Indra, and one who is severally blotched on his chest when the prongs of the tusks of Airavata, the lordly elephant of Indra, gored his chest, at such a Ravana Shuurpanakha saw. [3-32-7]
7. deva asura vi mardeSu = in gods, demons, highly trampling down – in many combats; vajra ashani kR^ita [su bahusho] vraNam = Vajra weapon of Indra, by Thunderbolt, made, [very many,] bruises; airaavata viSaaNa agraiH = Airavata – elephant of Indra, with tusks, prongs of; utkR^iSTa kiNa vakSasam = when gored, blotched, chest.
Verse 8
विंशत् भुजम् दश ग्रीवम् दर्शनीय परिच्छदम् |
विशाल वक्षसम् वीरम् राज लक्ष्मण लक्षितम् || ३-३२-८
One who has twenty arms, ten faces and a broad chest, and a possessor of all regalia of Indra like white parasol, white fanning instruments, colours and the like insigne, and at that brave one who is attributed with all of the kingly attributes, Shuurpanakha saw. [3-32-8]
8. vimshat bhujam = having twenty, arms; dasha griivam = having ten, throats [faces]; darshaniiya paricChadam = one with conspicuous, white parasol, [white fans etc., meaning that he has all regalia of Indra]; vishaala vakSasam = one with broad, chest; viiram = at brave one; raaja lakSmaNa lakSitam = one with kingly, attributes, attributed with.
Verse 9
नद्ध वैदूर्य संकाशम् तप्त कान्चन कुण्डलम् |
सुभुजम् शुक्ल दशनम् महा आस्यम् पर्वतोपमम् || ३-३२-९
Blent with the gleam of Lapis gems studded in his ornaments his glisten is alike that gem, while his ear-knobs are made out of refined gold, and his arms strongish, teeth whitish, mouth widish and he is mountainous, and Shuurpanakha saw such a Ravana. [3-32-9]
9. naddha vaiduurya sankaasham = studded, vaiduurya gems [Lapis, cats-eye gems,] one gleaming alike; tapta kaancana kuNDalam = one with burnt [refined,] gold, ear-knobs; su bhujam = with robust, arms; shukla dashanam = with whitely, teeth; mahaa aasyam = wide, mouthed; parvata upamam = mountain, in simile to.
Verse 10
विष्णु चक्र निपातैः च शतशो देव संयुगे |
अन्यैः शस्त्रैः प्रहारैः च महायुद्धेषु ताडितम् || ३-३२-१०
His body bears hundreds of welts caused when assaulted with Vishnu-disc for hundreds of times in wars with gods, and when assaulted for hundreds of times with the other assaults-missiles in other gruesome wars as well, and Shuurpanakha saw at such a Ravana. [3-32-10]
10. deva samyuge = gods, in war with; shatashaH = hundreds [of times]; viSNu cakra nipaataiH ca = Vishnu’s, disc, with assaults of, also; [anyaiH ] mahaa yuddheSu = in [other,] great wars – gruesome wars; anyaiH shastraiH prahaaraiH ca = with other, missile, by assaults of, also; [shatashaH] taaDitam = he is assaulted – assaults known through scars on body.
Verse 11
आहत अंगम् समस्तैः च देव प्रहरणैः तथा |
अक्षोभ्याणाम् समुद्राणाम् क्षोभणम् क्षिप्र कारिणम् || ३-३२-११
Likewise, whose limbs are thrashed with thrashing missilery of all gods, whereby his body and soul have become harsh, thus he can perpetrate anything swiftly at his will, and he who can capably roil an un-perturbable ocean at his wish, at such Ravana Shuurpanakha saw. [3-32-11]
11. tathaa = likewise; samastaiH deva praharaNaiH = with all of the, gods, hacking [missilery]; aahata angam ca = hacked, limbs, even having; a kSobhyaaNaam samudraaNaam = not, perturbable, oceans; for them; kSobhaNam = who can roil, agitator; kSipra kaariNam = a swift, perpetrator.
Verse 12
क्षेप्तारम् पर्वत अग्राणाम् सुराणाम् च प्रमर्दनम् |
उच्छेत्तारम् च धर्माणाम् पर दार अभिमर्शनम् || ३-३२-१२
At him who is a volleyer of mountain peaks, a represser of gods, an extirpator of ethical values, and a molester of others wives, Shuurpanakha saw. [3-32-12]
12. parvata agraaNaam = to [of] mountain, peaks; kSeptaaram = volleyer of; suraaNaam ca pra mardanam = of gods, even, extreme, represser of; dharmaaNaam ca ucChettaaram = ethical values, even, an extirpator of; para daara abhimarshanam = other’s, wives, [touches] molester.
Verse 13 & 14a
सर्व दिव्य अस्त्र योक्तारम् यज्ञ विघ्न करम् सदा |
पुरीम् भोगवतीम् गत्वा पराजित्य च वासुकिम् || ३-३२-१३
तक्षकस्य प्रियाम् भार्याम् पराजित्य जहार यः |
He who is a marksman of every divine missile, and an ever interdictor of Vedic-rituals, and who on going to the city named Bhogavati, the capital of Naga-s, and on defeating Vaasuki, the King of Serpents, has abducted the dear wife of Taksha on molesting her, and Shuurpanakha saw such a molester of others wives. [3-32-13, 14a]
13, 14a. sarva divya astra yoktaaram = every, divine, missile, marksman of; sadaa yaj~na vighna karam = always, Vedic-rituals, obstacles, causer [interdictor]; such a Ravana she saw; yaH = who; bhogavatiim puriim gatvaa = Bhogavati, to city, on going; vaasukim paraajitya ca = Vaasuki [the King of Serpents,] on defeating, also; takSakasya priyaam bhaaryaam = Taksha’s, dear, wife; paraajitya jahaara = on defeating [molesting,] abducted.
Verse 14b & 15a
कैलासम् पर्वतम् गत्वा विजित्य नर वाहनम् || ३-३२-१४
विमानम् पुष्पकम् तस्य कामगम् वै जहार यः |
On going to Mt. Kailash he who has defeated the god who uses humans as his vehicle, namely Kubera, and snatched away his aircraft, namely Pushpaka, which aircraft transits at the wish of its steersman, and Shuurpanakha saw such a grabber of others possessions. [3-32-14b, 15a]
14b, 15a. yaH = who – Ravana; kailaasam parvatam gatvaa = to Kailash, mountain, on going; nara vaahanam = humans, as vehicle – one who has, Kubera; vijitya = on defeating; tasya kaama gam = his, by wish, transiting; puSpakam vimaanam = Pushpaka, aircraft; jahaara vai snatched away, indeed.
Verse 14b & 15a
कैलासम् पर्वतम् गत्वा विजित्य नर वाहनम् || ३-३२-१४
विमानम् पुष्पकम् तस्य कामगम् वै जहार यः |
On going to Mt. Kailash he who has defeated the god who uses humans as his vehicle, namely Kubera, and snatched away his aircraft, namely Pushpaka, which aircraft transits at the wish of its steersman, and Shuurpanakha saw such a grabber of others possessions. [3-32-14b, 15a]
14b, 15a. yaH = who – Ravana; kailaasam parvatam gatvaa = to Kailash, mountain, on going; nara vaahanam = humans, as vehicle – one who has, Kubera; vijitya = on defeating; tasya kaama gam = his, by wish, transiting; puSpakam vimaanam = Pushpaka, aircraft; jahaara vai snatched away, indeed.
Verse 15b & 16a
वनम् चैत्ररथम् दिव्यम् नलिनीम् नंदनम् वनम् || ३-३२-१५
विनाशयति यः क्रोधात् देव उद्यानानि वीर्यवान् |
He who enviously devastated the divine gardens of Kubera, called Caitraratha, along with a divine Lake of Lotuses pertaining to the same Kubera, called Pushkarini, and the gardens of Indra, called Nandana, along with other paradisiacal gardens of gods, Shuurpanakha saw such an envious demon. [3-32-15b, 16a
15b, 16a. viiryavaan = valiant one [Ravana]; divyam caitraratham vanam = divine, Caitraratha named, garden; naliniim = lotus-lake – puSkariNi; nandanam vanam = Nandana named, garden; deva udyaanaani = of gods, [paradisiacal] gardens; yaH = who; krodhaat vinaashayati = with enviousness, devastated.
Verse 16b & 17a
चन्द्र सूर्यौ महा भागौ उत्तिष्ठन्तौ परंतपौ || ३-३२-१६
निवारयति बाहुभ्याम् यः शैल शिखरोपमः |
Shuurpanakha saw him who is similar to the pinnacle of a mountain, and who with his two hands forestalls the highly propitious ones that are the stiflers of their enemies, namely the Sun and Moon, when they tend to rise. [3-32-16b, 17a]
16b, 17a. shaila shikhara upamaH = mountain’s, pinnacle, in simile; he; yaH = who is – Ravana; uttiSThantau mahaa bhaagau = while rising [when they tend to rise,] highly, propitious ones [sun and moon; paran tapau = enemy-stiflers – sun and moon, or, paran tapaH = enemy-stifler – Ravana; candra suuryau = Moon, Sun are; baahubhyaam nivaarayati = with two arms, forestalls.
Verse 19b & 20a
मन्त्रैः अभितुष्टम् पुण्यम् अध्वरेषु द्विजातिभिः || ३-३२-१९
हविर्धानेषु यः सोमम् उपहन्ति महाबलः |
He who is an extreme-ultraist that expropriates the Soma-juice-oblation form the vessels of oblation in Vedic-rituals, which Soma juice-oblation is blest with Vedic-hymns and kept separately by Vedic Brahmans, since it is intended and shall belong to Indra and other divinities, and she saw such a plunderer. [3-32-19b, 20a]
19b, 20a. mahaabalaH = great-mighty- extreme-ultraist; yaH = which Ravana; adhvareSu in Vedic-rituals; [havirdhaaneSu = in oblation-vessels]; dvi jaatibhiH by twice, born – by Brahmans; abhituSTam = kept separately; mantraiH puNyam = with hymns, blest; somam upahanti = Soma-juice-oblation, expropriates,
Verse 17b & 18a
दश वर्ष सहस्राणि तपः तप्त्वा महावने || ३-३२-१७
पुरा स्वयंभुवे धीरः शिरांसि उपजहार यः |
That courageous one who in early times has practised ascesis for ten thousand years in a great-forest, and who on accomplishing it has dedicated ten of his heads to the Self-Created Brahma, she saw such a Ravana with such ten heads. [3-32-17b, 18a]
17b, 18a. dhiiraH yaH = courageous one, which Ravana; puraa mahaa vane = earlier, in great, forest; dasha varSa sahasraaNi = ten, years, thousand; tapaH taptvaa = asceticism, on accomplishing; svayam bhuve = from the self, created divinity [to Brahma]; shiraamsi upajahaara = heads [his ten heads,] dedicated [to Brahma.]
Verse 18b & 19a
देव दानव गधर्व पिशाच पतग उरगैः || ३-३२-१८
अभयम् यस्य संग्रामे मृत्युतो मानुषाद् ऋते |
Whereby, to whom there is an indemnity against death in war at the hand of gods, demons, gandharva-s, devils, birds, or reptiles, excepting humans, and Shuurpanakha saw such an unimperilled Ravana. [3-32-18b, 19a]
18b, 19a. yasya sangraame = to whom, in war; maanuSaat R^ite = from humans, excepting; deva daanava gadharva pishaaca pataga uragaiH = from gods, demons, gandharva-s, devils, birds, reptiles; mR^ityutaH = from death; a bhayam = no, fear – indemnity – is given by Brahma.
Verse 19b & 20a
मन्त्रैः अभितुष्टम् पुण्यम् अध्वरेषु द्विजातिभिः || ३-३२-१९
हविर्धानेषु यः सोमम् उपहन्ति महाबलः |
He who is an extreme-ultraist that expropriates the Soma-juice-oblation form the vessels of oblation in Vedic-rituals, which Soma juice-oblation is blest with Vedic-hymns and kept separately by Vedic Brahmans, since it is intended and shall belong to Indra and other divinities, and she saw such a plunderer. [3-32-19b, 20a]
19b, 20a. mahaabalaH = great-mighty- extreme-ultraist; yaH = which Ravana; adhvareSu in Vedic-rituals; [havirdhaaneSu = in oblation-vessels]; dvi jaatibhiH by twice, born – by Brahmans; abhituSTam = kept separately; mantraiH puNyam = with hymns, blest; somam upahanti = Soma-juice-oblation, expropriates,
Verse 20b & 21a
प्राप्त यज्ञ हरम् दुष्टम् ब्रह्म घ्नम् क्रूर कारिणम् || ३-३२-२०
कर्कशम् निरनुक्रोशम् प्रजानाम् अहिते रतम् |
He who is such an embezzler of the Vedic-rituals at the time of their culmination, a malicious one, and one with cruel acts, a hinderer of Vedic-rituals, or, the slayer of those Brahmans that conduct Vedic-rituals contrary to his wishes, and one who is heartless and a rampant demon, who is a delighter in the iniquity to the people, at him Shuurpanakha saw. [3-32-20b, 21a]
20b, 21a. praapta yaj~na haram = received [culminated, ] Vedic-ritual, embezzler – Vedic ritual whose fruit is close at hand; duSTam = malicious one; kruura kaariNam = one with cruel, acts; brahma ghnam = Brahman, slayer – or, Vedic-ritual, hinderer of; karkasham = heartless one; nir anukrosham = without, goaded [rampant]; prajaanaam a hite ratam = to people, un, worthy [iniquity,] one who delights in.
Verse 21b & 22a
रावणम् सर्व भूतानाम् सर्व लोक भयावहम् || ३-३२-२१
राक्षसी भ्रातरम् क्रूरम् सा ददर्श महाबलम् |
She that demoness Shuurpanakha saw her brother who makes all beings to wail, an alarming one to all the worlds, an atrocious one and highly formidable Ravana. [3-32-21b, 22a]
21b, 22a. saa raakSasii = she, that demoness – Shuurpanakha; sarva bhuutaanaam raavaNam = for all, beings, one who makes them to wail; sarva loka bhayaavaham = for all, worlds, alarming one; kruuram = an atrocious one; mahaabalam = highly, formidable one; bhraataram dadarsha = at brother, she, saw.
Verse 22b & 23a
तम् दिव्य वस्त्र आभरणम् दिव्य माल्य उपशोभितम् || ३-३२-२२
आसने सूपविष्टम् तम् काले कालम् इव उद्यतम् |
And at him who is conspicuously sitting on a throne, attired and bejewelled in excellent apparels and jewels, shining forth with marvellous garlands, and who is like the Ultimate-Time on the rise destined for the Eventual-Time. [3-32-22b, 23a]
22b, 23a. divya vastra aabharaNam = with excellent, attired, who is bejewelled; divya maalya upashobhitam = with marvellous, garlands, who is shining forth; aasane su upaviSTam = on throne, conspicuously, sitting; udyatam = on the rise; kaale kaalam iva = End-Time, for Time [himself]; tam = him – she saw.
Verse 25
तम् अब्रवीत् दीप्त विशाल लोचनम्
प्रदर्शयित्वा भय लोभ मोहिता |
सुदारुणम् वाक्यम् अभीत चारिणी
महात्मना शूर्पणखा विरूपिता || ३-३२-२५
She who is disfigured by the high souled Lakshmana, and who is still perplexed with the fear of Lakshmana and her own craving for Rama as well, on displaying her misfortune to everybody that fearless rover Shuurpanakha spoke this very caustic sentence to Ravana, whose eyes are broad and burning. [3-32-25]
25. a bhiita caariNii = not, fearing, in her movements – a fearless rover; mahaatmanaa viruupitaa = by great-souled one [Lakshmana,] defaced; such; shuurpaNakhaa = Shuurpanakha; bhaya lobha mohitaa = by fear [of Rama,] by craving [for Rama,] perplexed; pradarshayitvaa = on displaying [her misfortune]; diipta vishaala locanam = aglow, broad, eyed one; tam = to him [to Ravana]; su daaruNam vaakyam = very, caustic, sentence; abraviit = spoke.
Verse 23b & 24
राक्षसेन्द्रम् महाभागम् पौलस्त्य कुल नन्दनम् || ३-३२-२३
उपगम्य अब्रवीत् वाक्यम् राक्षसी भय विह्वला |
रावणम् शत्रु हन्तारम् मंत्रिभिः परिवारितम् || ३-३२-२४
Demoness Shuurpanakha nearing Ravana, who is the highly fortunate king of demons, an enemy-destroyer and a felicity of the dynasty of Sage Pulasta, and who is now surrounded by his ministers, she spoke this sentence. [3-32-23b, 24]
23b, 24. raakshasii = demoness Shuurpanakha; bhaya vihvalaa = by fear, baffled; raakSasa indram mahaa bhaagam = demon’s, king, highly, fortunate one; paulastya kula nandanam = Sage Pulasta’s, dynasty’s, a felicity of; shatru hantaaram = enemy, destroyer; mantribhiH pari vaaritam = with ministers, surrounded by; raavaNam = to Ravana; upagamya vaakyam abraviit = nearing him, sentence, spoke.
