Introduction
Ravana enquires about Rama’s valour and weaponry for which Shuurpanakha narrates about Rama, Seetha, and Lakshmana and what has happened in Janasthaana. Thus she prompts Ravana to achieve Seetha as his wife, for none surpasses Seetha in her beauty.
Verse 1
ततः शूर्पणखाम् दृष्ट्वा ब्रुवन्तीम् परुषम् वचः |
अमात्य मध्ये संकृउद्धः परिपप्रच्छ रावणः || ३-३४-१
On observing Shuurpanakha who is speaking bitter words against him in the presence of ministers then Ravana is highly infuriated and queried her. [1-34-1]
1. tataH = then; amaatya madhye = ministers, amidst [in presence of]; paruSam vacaH bruvantiim = bitter, words, one who is speaking; shuurpaNakhaam dR^iSTvaa = Shuurpanakha, on seeing; samkR^iuddhaH raavaNaH paripapracCha = highly, infuriated one, Ravana, questioned – queried.
Verse 2
कः च रामः कथम् वीर्यः किम् रूपः किम् पराक्रमः |
किम् अर्थम् दण्डकारण्यम् प्रविष्टः च सुदुस्तरम् || ३-३४-२
“Who is Rama? How brave he is? Of what mien and what calibre he is? And for what reason he entered the highly inscrutable Dandaka forest? [1-34-2]
2. raamaH kaH = Rama, who is; katham viiryaH = what, is his calibre; kim ruupaH = of what, mien; kim paraakramaH = what, is his bravery; su dustaram = highly, inscrutable; daNDaka araNyam = Dandaka forest; kim artham praviSTaH = what, for reason, he entered.
Verse 3 & 4a
आयुधम् किम् च रामस्य येन ते राक्षसाः हता |
खरः च निहतः संख्ये दूषणः त्रिशिराः तथा || ३-३४-३
तत् त्वम् ब्रूहि मनोज्ञान्गी केन त्वम् च विरूपिता |
“What is the weapon of that Rama by whom these many demons are killed in war, likewise Duushana and Trishira are killed, and even the unkillable Khara is killed? Oh, lady with fascinating limbs, who disfigured you? That you tell. [1-34-3, 4a]
3, 4a. yena = by whom [by which Rama]; raakSasaaH = demons; kharaH ca = Khara, also; duuSaNaH trishiraaH tathaa = Duushana, Trishira, likewise; sankhye nihataa = in war, killed; such a; raamasya aayudham kim ca = Rama’s, weapon, what is, also; manoj~na angii = fascinating, having limbs – oh, lady with fascinating limbs [Shuurpanakha]; kena tvam viruupitaa ca = by whom, you are, disfigured, even; tat tvam bruuhi = that, you, tell.
Verse 4b & 5a
इति उक्ता राक्षस इन्द्रेण राक्षसी क्रोध मूर्च्छिता || ३-३४-४
ततो रामम् यथा न्यायम् आख्यातुम् उपचक्रमे |
When the king of demons has asked her thus, she that demoness Shuurpanakha who is in a fit of fury then commenced to describe Rama in the point of fact. [3-34-4b, 5a]
4b, 5a. raakSasa indreNa = by demons, king; iti uktaa = this way, she is who is spoken; krodha muurcChitaa raakSasii = with fury, who is in a fit of, demoness; tataH = then; raamam = about Rama; yathaa nyaayam = as it is – in the point of fact; aakhyaatum upacakrame = to describe, commenced.
Verse 4b & 5a
दीर्घबाहुः विशालाक्षः चीर कृष्ण अजिन अम्बरः || ३-३४-५
कन्दर्प सम रूपः च रामो दशरथ आत्मजः |
“Dasharatha’s son Rama is the one with inescapable arms and keen-eyed, but has jute-cloths and skin of black-deer for his dress, yet in semblance he is similar to the Love-god. [3-34-5b, 6a]
5b, 6a. dasharatha aatmajaH raamaH = Dasharatha’s, son, Rama; diirgha baahuH = long, one with arms, or implicitly- inescapable arms; vishaala akSaH = broad, eyed one, or implicitly – keen eyed; ciira = has jute-cloth; kR^iSNa ajina ambaraH = black, deer, skin, as his dress; kandarpa sama ruupaH ca = Love-god, similar, in semblance.
Verse 6b & 7a
शक्र चाप निभम् चापम् विकृष्य कनकांगदम् || ३-३४-६
दीप्तान् क्षिपति नाराचान् सर्पान् इव महा विषान् |
“Yanking out a bow with golden fillets, and that is similar to the bow of Indra in its shine, he strews candent iron-arrows that simulate snakes with deadly poison. [3-34-6b, 7a]
6b, 7a. shakra caapa nibham = Indra’s, bow, [Rainbow] similar in sheen; kanaka angadam caapam = that has golden, fillets, a bow; vikR^iSya = on yanking out; mahaa viSaan sarpaan iva = those that have deadly, poison, snakes, like; diiptaan naaraacaan kSipati = candent, iron-arrows, he strews.
Verse 7b & 8a
न आददानम् शरान् घोरान् न मुंचंतम् महाबलम् || ३-३४-७
न कार्मुकम् विकर्षन्तम् रामम् पश्यामि संयुगे |
“It has become imperceivable for me to me to see when and how he drew his ghastly arrows from quiver on the battleground; or, stretching his bow admitting those arrows on bowstring – no; or, his releasing those sharp edged arrows from the bow – no; why them, that great mighty Rama himself has become imperceptible in the fastness of his action. [3-34-7b, 8a]
7b, 8a. samyuge = on battleground; ghoraan sharaan = ghastly, arrows; aa dadaanam = taking [drawing from quiver]; na pashyaami = not, I do see – imperceivable; kaarmukam vikarSantam = bow, stretching of; na = I do not see; muncantam [shiilii mukhaan] = shooting from bowstring, [arrows with sharp points]; na = neither; mahaabalam raamam = great-mighty one, Rama; na = I do not see.
Verse 8b & 9a
हन्यमानम् तु तत् सैन्यम् पश्यामि शर वृष्टिभिः || ३-३४-८
इन्द्रेण इव उत्तमम् सस्यम् आहतम् तु अश्म वृष्टिभिः |
“As with a crop of grain devastated by a hailstorm of Indra, I could only see that best army while it is being annihilated with a downpour of arrows. [3-34-8b, 9a]
8b, 9a. indreNa = by Indra; ashma vR^iSTibhiH = with stones, of rain – with hailstorm; aahatam sasyam iva = devastated, rich harvest, as with; shara vR^iSTibhiH = of arrows, with downpour; tu = but; hanyamaanam tat uttamam sainyam = being annihilated, that, best, army; pashyaami = I am seeing – then I have seen.
Verse 9b & 10
रक्षसाम् भीम वीर्याणाम् सहस्राणि चतुर्दश || ३-३४-९
निहतानि शरैः तीक्ष्णैः तेन एकेन पदातिना |
अर्धाधिक मुहूर्तेन खरः च सह दूषणः || ३-३४-१०
“Thus a lone foot-soldier with his excruciating arrows has exterminated fourteen thousand demons with fiendish might, including Duushana, and along withKhara, say, within one and half hours. [3-34-9b,10]
9b, 10. padaatinaa ekena tena = foot-soldier, lone one, by him [by Rama]; tiikSNaiH sharaiH = with excruciating, arrows; ardha adhika muhuurtena = half, more, one hour; bhiima viiryaaNaam rakSasaam = of fiendish, might, demons; caturdasha sahasraaNi = fourteen, thousands; nihataani = are destroyed; saha duuSaNaH kharaH ca = along with, Duushana, Khara, is also [killed.]
Verse 11 & 12
ऋषीणाम् अभयम् दत्तम् कृत क्षेमाः च दण्डकाः || ३-३४-११
एका कथंचित् मुक्ता अहम् परिभूय महात्मना |
स्त्री वधम् शंकमानेन रामेण विदितात्मना || ३-३४-१२
“Accorded is the protection to the sages, and Dandaka is made as a snuggest place for them. I am the lone one somehow let off by such a high-minded Rama, of course, on humiliating me by cutting my nose and ears. Maybe, it is because he is hesitant of woman-slaughter for he is a well-versed soul. [1-34-11, 12]
11 – one foot verse, 12. R^iSiiNaam abhayam dattam = to sages, protection, accorded; daNDakaaH = Dandaka forest; kR^ita kSemaaH ca = made [restored,] to safety – rendered as snuggest place, also; mahaatmanaa vidita aatmanaa = by high-minded one, well-versed, soul – in scriptures; strii vadham shankamaanena = woman, slaughter, hesitant of; raameNa = by such Rama is; aham ekaa = I, a single one; pari bhuuya = on humiliating; kathamcit muktaa = somehow, let off.
Verse 13
भ्राता च अस्य महातेजा गुणतः तुल्य विक्रमः |
अनुरक्तः च भक्तः च लक्ष्मणो नाम वीर्यवान् || ३-३४-१३
“A highly resplendent one who by his trait matches his brother in bravery, an adherent and a devotee of his brother, such a stout-hearted one is Rama’s brother known as Lakshmana. [1-34-13]
13. mahaatejaa = highly resplendent; guNataH tulya vikramaH = by trait, matches [his brother Rama,] in bravery; anuraktaH ca = adherent, also; bhaktaH ca = devotee, also; viiryavaan = stout-hearted one; lakSmaNaH naama = Lakshmana, known as; asya bhraataa = is his – Rama’s, brother.
Verse 14
अमर्षी दुर्जयो जेता विक्रान्तो बुद्धिमान् बली |
रामस्य दक्षिणे बाहुः नित्यम् प्राणो बहिः चरः || ३-३४-१४
“That Lakshmana is an easily irritable one, he is not that easily invincible, an easy victor, but not an easygoing valiant, yet he is an intellectual at ease, and a mighty one who does not ease off, such a Lakshmana is the perpetual right-hand and the peripherally moving life of Rama. [1-34-14]
14. amarSii = irritable one; durjayaH = invincible one; jetaa = victor; vikraantaH = valiant; buddhimaan = intelligent one; balii = mighty one; such a brother Lakshmana is; nityam raamasya dakSiNe baahuH = perpetual, Rama’s, a right, hand; bahiH caraH praaNaH = – peripherally, moving, life; gist – vividly.
Verse 15
रामस्य तु विशालाक्षी पूर्णेन्दु सदृश आनना |
धर्म पत्नी प्रिया नित्यम् भर्तृः प्रिय हिते रता || ३-३४-१५
“But, one with her broad-eyes, face similar to the full-moon is the dear and wedded wife of Rama, and she always takes delight in the well-being of her dear one, namely Rama. [1-34-15]
15. vishaala akSii = broad-eyed one; puurNa indu sadR^isha aananaa = full, moon, similar, one with such face; tu = but; raamasya dharma patnii = Rama’s, wedded, wife; bhartR^iH priyaa = husband’s, dear one; nityam priya hite rataa = always, in her dear one – Rama’s, well-being, delights in.
Verse 16
सा सुकेशी सुनासोरुः सुरूपा च यशस्विनी |
देवत इव वनस्थ अस्यराजते श्रीर् इव अपरा || ३-३४-१६
“She is the one with lengthy hairdo, her nose and thighs are fine, and that glorious one with fine looks is the wife of Rama, and she is beaming forth like a sylvan deity situated in that woodland, who in turn is like Goddess Lakshmi in a temporal form. [1-34-16]
16. su keshii = one with lengthy, hair; su naasa uuruH = with fine, nose, thighs; su ruupaa ca = fine, looking, also; yashasvinii = a glorious one; saa = she; asya vanastha devata iva = of that, situated in woodland, goddess, like; aparaa shriiH iva = another – temporal, Goddess Lakshmi, like; raajate = is beaming forth.
Verse 17
तप्त कांचन वर्ण आभा रक्त तुंग नखी शुभा |
सीता नाम वरारोहा वैदेही तनु मध्यमा || ३-३४-१७
“She has a complexion mathing the shade of refined gold, her nails are rosy and jutting, and she with her curvaceous hips and slim waist is the daughter of King of Videha, and known as Seetha. [1-34-17]
17. tapta kaancana varNa aabhaa = burnt [refined,] gold, in colour [in complexion,] in shade of; rakta tunga nakhii = having rosy, jutted, nails; shubhaa = auspicious one; [saa] vaidehii = that daughter of king of Videha kingdom; varaarohaa = with curvaceous, hips; tanu madhyamaa = with slender waist; siitaa naama = Seetha, known as.
Verse 18
न एव देवी न गंधर्वा न यक्षी न च किंनरी |
तथा रूपा मया नारी दृष्ट पूर्वा महीतले || ३-३४-१८
“So far I have not seen any goddess with such a comeliness; a gandharva female – no; a yaksha female – no; a kinnara female – no; and a woman, no, not on the face of earth! [1-34-18]
18. tathaa ruupaa = such a, kind of comeliness; devii = a goddess; mayaa na eva dR^iSTa puurvaa = by me, not, in that way, seen, previously – so far; gandharvaa [gandharvii] = gandharva female; na = no; yakSii na = yaksha-female, no; kinnarii ca = kinnaraa-female, even; na = no; naarii mahiitale = woman, on the face of earth; na = no – not seen by me.
Verse 19
यस्य सीता भवेत् भार्या यम् च हृष्टा परिष्वजेत् |
अति जीवेत् स सर्वेषु लोकेषु अपि पुरंदरात् || ३-३४-१९
“To whom Seetha becomes a wife and around whom she gladly throws her arms after such a marriage, he lives more grandly than Indra in all the worlds. [1-34-19]
19. yasya = to whom; siitaa bhaaryaa bhavet = Seetha, wife, becomes as; hR^iSTaa yam pariSvajet ca = gladly, whom, she hugs, also [after becoming his wife – not owing to a forced marriage]; saH sarveSu lokeSu = he, in all, worlds; purandaraat api = even, [better than] Indra; ati jiivet = grandly, lives.
Verse 20
सा सुशीला वपुः श्लाघ्या रूपेण अप्रतिमा भुवि |
तव अनुरूपा भार्या सा त्वम् च तस्याः पतिः वरः || ३-३४-२०
“She is a highly gracious lady, laudable by her bodily structure, incomparable by her appearance, and she will become a seemly wife of yours, and you too will become a best husband of hers. [1-34-20]
20. su shiilaa = highly, gracious; vapuH shlaaghyaa = by bodily structure, laudable; saa = she is; ruupeNa a pratimaa bhuvi = by appearance, not, comparable; saa tava anuruupaa bhaaryaa = she is, to you, seemly for, a wife; [syaat = she becomes; tathaa = likewise]; tvam ca = you, too [will become]; tasyaaH varaH patiH = her, best, husband.
Verse 21 & 22a
ताम् तु विस्तीर्ण जघनाम् पीन उत्तुंग पयो धराम् |
भार्या अर्थे तु तव आनेतुम् उद्यता अहम् वर आननाम् || ३-३४-२१
विरूपिता अस्मि क्रूरेण लक्ष्मणेन महाभुज
“Oh, mighty shouldered brother, but when I ventured to bring her as your wife, whose hips are broad, bosom fat and bulgy, face excellent, that cruel Lakshmana disfigured me. [1-34-21, 22a]
21, 22a. mahaa bhuja = oh, mighty shouldered one – Ravana; vistiirNa jaghanaam = she who is broad, hipped; piina uttunga paya dharaam = one with fatty, bulgy, milk, containers [breasts]; taam vara aananaam tu = her, who has excellent, face, but; tava bhaaryaa arthe tu = wife, for the purpose of, but; aanetum = to bring her – to Lanka; udyataa = when venturing; aham = I am; kruureNa lakshmaNena = by cruel, Lakshmana; viruupitaa asmi = disfigured, I am.
Verse 22b & 23a
ताम् तु दृष्ट्वा अद्य वैदेहीम् पूर्ण चन्द्र निभ आननाम् || ३-३४-२२
मन्मथस्य शराणाम् च त्वम् विधेयो भविष्यसि |
“You too will become a groveller at the arrows Lover-god in case you now see Vaidehi with a face shining like full-moon. [1-34-22, 23a]
22b, 23a. puurNa candra nibha aananaam = full, moon, shine, with such a face; taam tu vaidehiim adya dR^iSTvaa = her, at Vaidehi, now, if you see; tvam = you; manmathasya sharaaNaam = to Lover-god’s, arrows; vidheyaH bhaviSyasi = a groveller, you will become.
Verse 23b & c
यदि तस्याम् अभिप्रायो भार्या अर्थे तव जायते |
शीघ्रम् उद् ध्रियताम् पादो जयार्थम् इह दक्षिणः || ३-३४-२३
“Hence, if you hatch an opinion to make her as your wife, and if you aspire success, now itself quickly put your best foot, namely your right foot, forward. [1-34-23]
23b, c. tasyaam = her; tava bhaaryaa arthe = your, wife, for the purpose of; abhipraayaH jaayate yadi = opinion, is created, if – if you hatch; iha = now; jaya artham = success, for the purpose of – if you aspire success; dakSiNaH paadaH = right, foot; shiighram uddhriyataam = quickly, be upraised – put your best foot forward.
Verse 24
रोचते यदि ते वाक्यम् मम एतत् राक्षसेश्वर |
क्रियताम् निर्विशंकेन वचनम् मम रावण || ३-३४-२४
“Oh, the king of demons Ravana, if this advise of mine is pleasing to you, let this idea be actualised without any shilly-shallying in your mind. [1-34-24]
24. raakshasa iishvara raavaNa = oh, demon’s, king, Ravana; mama etat vaakyam = my, all this, sentence – advise; te rocate yadi = to you, pleasing, if; nir vi shankena = without, verily, doubting – without becoming a shilly-shallyer; mama vacanam kriyataam = my, sentence – idea, let it be done.
Verse 25
विज्ञाय इह आत्म शक्तिम् च क्रियताम् च महाबल |
सीता तव अनवद्यांगी भार्यत्वे राक्षसेश्वर || ३-३४-२५
“Oh, king of the demons, realise your stout-heartedness, and oh, great mighty one, let that immaculately limbed Seetha be abducted to become your wife. [1-34-25]
25. raakshasa iishvara = oh, demon’s, king; mahaabala = oh, great-mighty one; aatma shaktim vij~naaya = your own, capacity – stout-heartedness, on realizing, an a vadya angii = not, un, speakable, limbed – one with immaculate limbs; siitaa tava bhaaryatve = Seetha, for your, in wifehood – to become a wife; kriyataam [hriyataam] may be made, [be abducted.]
Verse 26
निशम्य रामेण शरैः अजिह्मगैः
हतान् जनस्थान गतान् निशाचरान् |
खरम् च दृष्ट्वा निहतम् च दूषणम्
त्वम् अद्य कृत्यम् प्रतिपत्तुम् अर्हसि || ३-३४-२६
“On recognising that Rama with his straight shooting arrows destroyed the night-walkers positioned at Janasthaana, and further on distinguishing that Duushana, and even Khara, is dispatched, it is apt of you to awake to a workable action.” Thus Shuurpanakha has earbashed Ravana. [1-34-26]
26. raameNa = by Rama; a jihma gaiH = not, curly, going [straight shooting;] sharaiH = with such arrows; janasthaana gataan nishaacaraan hataan = Janasthaana, positioned, night-walkers, as destroyed; nishamya = on hearing – bear in mind; duuSaNam ca kharam ca = Duushana, also, Khara, is even; nihatam dR^iSTvaa = killed, on seeing – be conscious of; tvam adya kR^ityam = you, now, action that is to be taken – doable deed, accomplishable; pratipattum arhasi = to awake to, apt of you.
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