Introduction
Maareecha continues his good word to Ravana and he dissuades him from abducting Seetha. His advice is that the dalliance with other’s wives is the greatest sin, more so, with Rama’s wife as Rama’s valour is irrefutable. Maareecha narrates how Rama hurt him while safeguarding Vishwamitra’s Vedic-ritual, when Rama was still a young boy.
Verse 1 & 2
कदाचित् अपि अहम् वीर्यात् पर्यटन् पृथिवीम् इमाम् |
बलम् नाग सहस्रस्य धारयन् पर्वतोपमः || ३-३८-१
नील जीमूत संकाशः तप्त कांचन कुण्डलः |
भयम् लोकस्य जनयन् किरीटी परिघ आयुधः || ३-३८-२
व्यचरम् दण्डक अरण्यम् ऋषि मांसानि भक्षयन् |
“At one time even I was on the rove around this earth, taking pride in my valour, bearing the strength of a thousand elephants, mountainous in my size and black-cloudlike in my sheen, wearing ear-knobs and a crown made out of refined gold, with a bludgeon as my weapon, and such as I was, I rambled Dandaka forest causing terror to the world, and eating the fleshes of sages.” Thus Maareecha started to narrate his experience with Rama. [3-38-1, 2]
1. kadaacit = at one time; aham api = I, even; viiryaat = with valour; imaam pR^ithiviim paryaTan = this, earth, while roving; naaga sahasrasya balam dhaarayan = elephants, thousand, strength, bearing; parvata upamaH = mountain, similar – I am; niila jiimuuta samkaashaH = blackish, cloud, in sheen – I am; tapta kaancana = burnt [refined,] golden; kuNDalaH = ear-knobs – myself having; kiriiTii = wearing crown; parigha aayudhaH = bludgeon, as weapon; lokasya bhayam janayan = to world, terror, causing; R^iSi maamsaani bhakSayan = sage’s, fleshes, while eating; daNDaka araNyam vyacaram = Dandaka, forests, I was rambling.
Verse 3b & 4a
विश्वामित्रो अथ धर्मात्मा मत् वित्रस्तो महामुनिः || ३-३८-३
स्वयम् गत्वा दशरथम् नरेन्द्रम् इदम् अब्रवीत् |
“The virtue-souled great-saint Vishvamitra who was highly scared of me, then on going to Dasharatha in person that great-saint spoke this to that lord of people. [3-38-3b, 4a]
3b, 4a. atha dharmaatmaa vishvaamitraH = then, virtue-souled, Vishvamitra; mat = of me; vi trasta = highly, scared; svayam = in person; nara indram dasharatham gatvaa = to people’s king, to Dasharatha, on going to him; mahaamuniH = great-saint; idam abraviit = this, spoke.
Verse 4b & 5a
अयम् रक्षतु माम् रामः पर्व काले समाहितः || ३-३८-४
मारीचात् मे भयम् घोरम् समुत्पन्नम् नरेश्वर |
” ‘An awesome dismay has befallen owing to this Maareecha, oh, lord of people Dasharatha, let Rama safeguard me becoming alert at the opportune time of the Vedic-ritual. [3-38-4b 5a]
4b, 5a. nara iishvara = oh, people’s, lord; ayam maariicaat = from this, Maareecha; me ghoram bhayam = to me, awesome, dismay; sam utpannam = verily, chanced – befallen; raamaH samaahitaH = Rama, becoming alert; parva kaale = at opportune, time of ritual; maam rakSatu = me, let him safeguard.
Verse 5b & 6a
इति एवम् उक्तो धर्मात्मा राजा दशरथः तदा || ३-३८-५
प्रत्युवाच महाभागम् विश्वामित्रम् महामुनिम् |
“When he is spoken in that way, then that virtue-souled king Dasharatha replied that great-fortunate and great-saint Vishvamitra in this way. [3-38-5b, 6a]
5b, 6a. iti evam uktaH = thus, that way, one who is spoken to – Dasharatha; dharma atmaa raajaa dasharathaH tadaa = virtue-souled, king, Dasharatha, then; mahaabhaagam mahaamunim vishvaamitram = to great-fortunate, to great-saint, Vishvamitra; prati uvaaca = in turn, spoke – replied.
Verse 6b & 7a
ऊन द्वादश वर्षो अयम् अकृत अस्त्रः च राघवः || ३-३८-६
कामम् तु मम यत् सैन्यम् मया सह गमिष्यति |
” ‘This boy Rama is less than twelve years in his age, unproficient in the use of weapons, and if need be, whatever army of mine is there it will march on along with me instead of Rama. [3-38-6b, 7a]
6b, 7a. ayam [baalaH] raaghavaH = this, [boy,] Rama is; uuna dvaadash varSaH = less than, twelve, years – in age; a kR^ita astraH ca = not, performed – unpractised, weapons, also; mama yat sainyam = mine, which, army – whatever army is there; with that; kaamam mayaa saha gamiSyati = if need be, me, along with, will march on.
Verse 7b & 8a
बलेन चतुरंगेण स्वयम् एत्य निशाचरम् || ३-३८-७
वधिष्यामि मुनिश्रेष्ठ शत्रुम् तव यथा ईप्सितम् |
” ‘And having come in person with fourfold forces, oh eminent sage, I myself will eradicate that nightwalker whomever you indicate as an enemy of yours.” So said Dasharatga to Vishvamitra. [3-38-7b, 8a]
7b, 8a. muni shreSTha = oh, sage, the eminent; caturangeNa balena = with fourfold, forces; [aham = I]; svayam etya = in person, having come; tava shatrum = your, enemy; yathaa iipsitam = as, desired [or, manasaa iipsitaan = as your heart, desires – whomever you indicate for elimination; nishaacaram = such – nightwalkers; vadhiSyaami = I will kill.
Verse 8b & 9a
] एवम् उक्तः स तु मुनी राजानम् इदम् अब्रवीत् || ३-३८-८
रामात् न अन्यत् बलम् लोके पर्याप्तम् तस्य रक्षसः |
“When the sage Vishvamitra is spoken thus, then he said to the king, ‘No other force in the world than Rama can counterbalance that demon. [3-38-8b, 9a]
8b, 9a. evam uktaH = thus, who is spoken; saH tu munii = he, on his part, that sage Vishvamitra; raajaanam idam abraviit = to king, this, said; raamaat anyat balam = apart from Rama, other, force; tasya rakSasaH = to him, to that demon; loke = in world; na paryaaptam = not, enough for – can counterbalance.
Verse 9b & 10a
देवतानाम् अपि भवान् समरेषु अभिपालकः || ३-३८-९
आसीत् तव कृते कर्म त्रिलोक विदितम् नृप |
” ‘No doubt, you are a defender of gods in wars, and oh, king, the exploits you have undertaken on behalf of gods are well-known in the triad of worlds. [3-38-9b, 10a]
9b, 10a. nR^ipa = oh, king; bhavaan = you are; samareSu = in war; devataanaam api abhipaalakaH = for gods, even [no doubt,] a defender of; tava kR^ite karma = by you, undertaken, exploit; triloka viditam aasiit = in tri-world, well-known, is there.
Verse 10b & 11
कामम् अस्ति महत् सैन्यम् तिष्टतु इह परंतप || ३-३८-१०
बालो अपि एष महातेजाः समर्थः तस्य निग्रहे |
गमिष्ये रामम् आदाय स्वस्ति ते अस्तु परंतपः || ३-३८-११
” ‘Maybe your army is a remarkable one, oh, enemy-inflamer, let it sit tight here alone, and even if this great resplendent one is still a boy he alone is competent to forestall that Maareecha, hence oh, enemy-subjugator, let good betide you, I wish to take him alone along with me.’ [3-38-10b, 11]
10b, 11. paran tapaH = oh, enemy-flamer; mahat sainyam asti [astu] = remarkable, army, there is; kaamam = maybe, if it is there, let it be there; iha tiSTatu = here, let it sit tight; mahaatejaaH = great-resplendent one; eSa baalaH api = he is, a boy, even if; tasya nigrahe samarthaH = his – Maareecha’s, in forestalling, he is competent; parantapa = oh, enemy-inflamer; raamam aadaaya gamiSye = Rama, on taking, I wish to go; te svasti astu = to you, safety, let there be.
Verse 12
इति एवम् उक्त्वा स मुनिः तम् आदाय नृपात्मजम् |
जगाम परम प्रीतो विश्वामित्रः स्वम् आश्रमम् || ३-३८-१२
“Thus that way on saying he that sage Vishvamitra returned to his own hermitage highly gladdening to take the prince Rama along with him. [3-38-12]
12. saH muniH vishvaamitraH = he, sage, Vishvamitra; iti evam uktvaa = thus, that way, on saying; nR^ipa aatma jam = king’s, own, son; tam = him – Rama; aadaaya = taking along; parama priitaH = highly, gladdened; svam aashramam jagaama = to his own, to hermitage, went away.
Verse 13
तम् तदा दण्डकारण्ये यज्ञम् उद्दिश्य दीक्षितम् |
बभूव उपस्थितो रामः चित्रम् विस्फारयन् धनुः || ३-३८-१३
“Then in Dandaka forest Rama twingeing his amazing bow stayed nearby the sage Vishvamitra who entered the vow of Vedic-ritual. [3-38-13]
13. tadaa raamaH daNDakaaraNye = then, Rama, in Dandaka forest; yaGYam uddishya diikSitam = Vedic-ritual, concerning, who entered into vow; tam = him – at Vishvamitra; upa sthitaH = nearby staying; citram dhanuH visphaarayan = amazing, bow, twingeing out; abhuuva = he was there.
Verse 14 & 15
अजात व्यंजनः श्रीमान् बालः श्यामः शुभेक्षणः |
एक वस्त्र धरो धन्वी शिखी कनक मालया || ३-३८-१४
शोभयन् दण्डकारण्यम् दीप्तेन स्वेन तेजसा |
अदृश्यत तदा रामो बाल चन्द्र इव उदितः || ३-३८-१५
“At that time, yet unborn are the identities of adulthood like moustache on his face, and that providential one was magnificent in looks with a peacock-blue complexion, wearing a single cloth, locks of hair, and golden locket, and wielding a bow, and he was irradiating the Dandaka forest with a radiating radiance of his own, and then he appeared like the just risen baby-moon. [3-38-14, 15]
14. tadaa = at that time; a jaata vyanjanaH = one with – un, born, identities of maleness – like moustaches etc.; shriimaan = providential one – Rama; shyaamaH = peacock-bluish – complexioned; shubha iikSaNaH = magnificent, in looks; eka vastra dharaH = one, cloth, wearing; dhanvii = handling bow; shikhii = having hair-locks; kanaka maalayaa = with golden, pendant; diiptena svena tejasaa = with radiating, of his own, with radiance; daNDakaaraNyam shobhayan = Dandaka, forest, irradiating; such a; raamaH baalaH = Rama, is a boy; uditaH baala candra iva = uprisen, baby, moon, [new moon,] like; adR^ishyata = then, is seen, appeared.
Verse 16
ततो अहम् मेघ संकाशः तप्त कांचन कुण्डलः |
बली दत्त वरो दर्पात् आजगाम आश्रम अंतरम् || ३-३८-१६
“And I who was like a massive black-cloud, wearing golden ear-knobs, already a forceful one further reinforced with the boon of Brahma, I pridefully entered into the interior of Vishwamitra’s hermitage. [3-38-16]
16. tataH = then; megha samkaashaH = cloud, in similarity [in massiveness]; tapta kaancana kuNDalaH = burnt [purified,] golden, with ear-knobs; balii datta varaH = forceful, given, boon’s – one who is given boons by Brahma; aham = I, such as I am; darpaat = pridefully; aashrama antaram aajagaama = hermitage’s, interior, arrived.
Verse 17
तेन दृष्टः प्रविष्टो अहम् सहसा एव उद्यत आयुधः |
माम् तु दृष्ट्वा धनुः सज्यम् असम्भ्रान्तः चकार ह || ३-३८-१७
“Rama quickly noticed me on my very entry with an uplifted weapon, and on seeing me he unexcitedly strung bowstring to his bow. [3-38-17]
17. udyata aayudhaH = one with lifted up, weapon; praviSTaH = on who entered; aham = I am; sahasaa eva = quick, thus; tena dR^iSTaH = by him – by Rama, noticed; saH maam tu dR^iSTvaa = he, me, on seeing; a sam bhraantaH = not, at all, excited – unexcitedly; dhanuH sa jyam = bow, with, bowstring; cakaara ha = made – strung, aimed, indeed.
Verse 18
अवजानन् अहम् मोहात् बालो अयम् इति राघवम् |
विश्वामित्रस्य ताम् वेदिम् अभ्यधावम् कृत त्वरः || ३-३८-१८
“Unmindfully trivialising him as, ‘this Raghava is just a boy,’ I made haste and ran towards that Fire-altar of Vishvamitra. [3-38-18]
18. aham mohaat = I, unmindfully; ayam baalaH iti = he is, a boy, thus as; raaghavam = about Raghava; ava jaanan = without, judging – trivialising; kR^ita tvaraH = making, haste; vishvaamitrasya taam vedim = of Vishvamitra, that, towards Fire-altar; abhya dhaavam = towards, ran.
Verse 19
तेन मुक्तः ततो बाणः शितः शत्रु निबर्हणः |
तेन अहम् ताडितः क्षिप्तः समुद्रे शत योजने || ३-३८-१९
“He then released an acute arrow that eliminates the enemy, and hit by it I am plunged into the ocean which was a hundred yojana-s off. [3-38-19]
19. tataH = then; tena = by him; shatru nibarhaNaH = enemy, destroying – arrow; shitaH baaNaH muktaH = acute, arrow, is released; aham tena taaDitaH = I am, by it, who is hit; shata yojane samudre kSiptaH = hundred, yojana-s [afar,] in ocean, plunged.
Verse 20
न इच्छता तात माम् हन्तुम् तदा वीरेण रक्षितः |
रामस्य शर वेगेन निरस्तो भ्रान्त चेतनः || ३-३८-२०
“That Rama did not wish to kill me then, and I am thus saved by that valiant one, oh, dear boy Ravana, but the thrust of Rama’s arrow bewildered my animation and I was on my last legs. [3-38-20]
20. taata = oh, dear boy; tadaa maam hantum na icChataa = then, me, to kill, [he] did not wish; viireNa rakshitaH = by valiant Rama, saved [I was]; raamasya shara vegena = Rama’s, by arrow’s, thrust; bhraanta cetanaH = bewildered, [is my] animation; nir astaH = without, base – I was on my last legs.
Verse 21
पातितो अहम् तदा तेन गंभीरे सागर अंभसि |
प्राप्य संज्ञाम् चिरात् तात लंकाम् प्रति गतः पुरीम् || ३-३८-२१
“That way I who had been flung into the abyssal water of the ocean by him gained consciousness after a long time and proceeded towards the city of Lanka. [3-38-21]
21. taata = oh, boy; tadaa = that way; aham = I was; gambhiire saagara ambhasi = abyssal, ocean, in waters; tena = by him; paatitaH = one who is flung; ciraat sanGYaam praapya = after long time, consciousness, on gaining; lankaam puriim = to Lanka, city; prati gataH = towards, went.
Verse 22
एवम् अस्मि तदा मुक्तः सहायाः ते – शायास्तु – निपातिताः |
अकृत अस्त्रेण रामेण बालेन अक्लिष्ट कर्मणा || ३-३८-२२
“At that time, that one with elementary knowledge in the use of weaponry, but who can undertake deeds in an effortless manner, such a boy, such a Rama spared me, albeit killing them that were my helpmates in that escapade. [3-38-22]
22. tadaa = at that time; a kR^ita astreNa = not, practised [elementary,] in use of arms; a kliSTa karmaNaa = un, complicated [effortless,] in deeds; baalena raameNa = by boy, by Rama; evam muktaH asmi = thus, released, I am; te sahaayaaH [tu] nipaatitaaH = those, helpmates, [on their part,] are killed.
Verse 23
तत् मया वार्यमाणः त्वम् यदि रामेण विग्रहम् |
करिष्यसि आपदम् घोराम् क्षिप्रम् प्राप्य न शिष्यसि || ३-३८-२३
“Thereby, if you wish to make for any confrontation with Rama, despite of my proscribing you, you will ruin yourself on getting a disastrous calamity. [3-38-23]
23. tat = thereby; mayaa vaaryamaaNaH = by me, being proscribed; tvam raameNa vigraham = you, with Rama, confrontation; kariSyasi yadi = do – make for, if; kSipram ghoraam aapadam = quickly, disastrous, calamity; praapya nashiSyasi = on getting, you ruin yourself.
Verse 24
क्रीडा रति विधिज्ञानाम् समाज उत्सव शालिनाम् |
रक्षसाम् चैव संतापम् अनर्थम् च आहरिष्यसि || ३-३८-२४
“The demons are methodical in sporting and flirting, thus by their own conduct they are also socialising and frolicking, and to them you derive distress and disaster. [3-38-24]
24. kriiDaa rati vidhi GYaanaam = sporting, flirting, methods, knowers; samaaja utsava shaalinaam = socialising, frolicking, with a conduct of; rakSasaam caiva = to such demons, also thus; santaapam anartham ca = distress, disaster, also; aahariSyasi = you derive.
Verse 25
हर्म्य प्रासाद संबाधाम् नाना रत्न विभूउषिताम् |
द्रक्ष्यसि त्वम् पुरीम् लंकाम् विनष्टाम् मैथिली कृते || ३-३८-२५
“Dense with skyscrapers and palaces, and decorated with many a gemstone is that city Lanka, but you will see it completely shattered down, for the sake of that Maithili. [3-38-25]
25. harmya praasaada sambaadhaam = with skyscrapers, palaces, dense with; naanaa ratna vibhuu Sitaam = with, many, gemstones, decorated; such a city; puriim lankaam = city, Lanka; tvam = you; maithilii kR^ite = Maithili, for the sake of; vi naSTaam = as completely shattered [city]; drakSyasi = you will see.
Verse 26
अकुर्वन्तो अपि पापानि शुचयः पाप संश्रयात् |
पर पापैः विनश्यन्ति मत्स्या नाग ह्रदे यथा || ३-३८-२६
“Even if with uncommitted sins, the sinless will get ruined owing to their interdependence with other sinners, like the fish in a lake with snakes. [3-38-26]
26. paapaani = sins; a kurvantaH api = not, committed, even if; shucayaH = sinless ones; paapa samshrayaat = with sinners, by interdependence – tie-up; naaga hrade = in snakes, lake of; matsyaa yathaa = fish, as with; para paapaiH = with other’s, sins; vinashyanti = get ruined.
Verse 27
दिव्यचंदनदिग्धांगान्दिव्याअभरणभूषितान् -यद्वा-
दिव्य चंदन दिग्ध अंगान् दिव्य आभरण भूषितान् |
द्रक्ष्यसि अभिहतान् भूमौ तव दोषात् तु राक्षसान् || ३-३८-२७
“Bedaubed with divine sandal-paste, beautified with divine ornaments are the limbs of the demons now, perchance you will be seeing them trampled out on ground for the blunder of yours. [3-38-27]
27. divya candana digdha angaan = divine, sandal-paste, bedaubed, with limbs; divya aabharaNa bhuuSitaan = divine, ornaments, beautified with; at such; raakSasaan = at demons; tava doSaat tu = for your, blunder, owing to; bhuumau abhihataan drakSyasi = to earth, trampled out, you are going to see.
Verse 28
हृत दारान् स दारान् च दश विद्रवतो दिशः |
हत शेषान् अशरणान् द्रक्ष्यसि त्वम् निशाचरान् || ३-३८-२८
“Maybe, you will have to see the fleeing of the nightwalkers surviving after the carnage in all ten directions, some abandoning their wives and some along with their wives, only for lack of a protector. [3-38-28]
28. hata sheSaan = after killing, remaining ones; nishaa caraan = nightwalkers; hR^ita daaraan = reft of [not abduction, but abandoned,] wives; sa daaraan ca with wives, also – along with wives; a sharaNaan = without, protector; dasha dishaH = to ten, directions; vi dravataH = verily, running away – fleeing; tvam drakSyasi- you, will be seeing.
Verse 29
शर जाल परिक्षिप्ताम् अग्नि ज्वाला समावृताम् |
प्रदग्ध भवनाम् लंकाम् द्रक्ष्यसि त्वम् असंशयम् || ३-३८-२९
“Without a doubt you will be seeing Lanka encircled with an enmesh of arrows, enfolded in the tongues of torches, while her buildings are utterly gutting down. [3-38-29]
29. shara jaala parikSiptaam = arrows, enmesh, encircled by; agni jvaalaa samaavR^itaam = by torch’s, tongues, enfolded by; pra dagdha bhavanaam = utterly, gutting down, buildings; such a; lankaam = at Lanka; tvam drakSyasi = you, will see; a samshayam = without, doubt.
Verse 30
पर दार अभिमर्षात् तु न अनयत् पाप तरम् महत् |
प्रमदानाम् सहस्राणि तव राजन् परिग्रहे || ३-३८-३०
“Oh, king, there is no other sin that is outrageous and gravest than the dalliance with another’s wife and, besides, you already have a thousand wives, isn’t so! [3-38-30]
30. para daara abhimarShaa tu = other’s, wife, dalliance, but; paapa taram = sin, higher in degree – gravest; mahat = outrageous [error]; aanayat na = another, is not there; raajan = oh, king; pramadaanaam sahasraaNi tava parigrahe = ladies, thousands, by you/your, seized [or, married.]
Verse 31
भव स्व दार निरतः स्व कुलम् रक्ष राक्षस |
मानम् वृद्धिम् च राज्यम् च जीवितम् च इष्टम् आत्मनः || ३-३८-३१
“Abide by your own wife and be delighted with her, oh, demon, safeguard your own ethnos, thus safeguard dignity, affluence, and kingdom of demons, thereby safeguard even your own dear life. [3-38-31]
31. raakSasa = oh, demon; sva daara nirataH bhava = in your own, wife, delighted in, you become; sva kulam rakSa = your own, ethnos, safeguard; maanam vR^iddhim ca raajyam ca = dignity, affluence, also, kingdom, also; aatmanaH iSTam jiivitam ca = for yourself, dear, [your] life, also; [raksha = safeguard.]
Verse 32
कलत्राणि च सौम्यानि मित्र वर्गम् तथैव च |
यदि इच्छसि चिरम् भोक्तुम् मा कृथा राम विप्रियम् || ३-३८-३२
“If you desire to take pleasure with your beautiful wives and with your friend’s circles for a long time, do not do anything undesirable to Rama. [3-38-32]
32. saumyaani kalatraaNi ca = beautiful ones, wives, also; tathaa eva ca = also thus; mitra vargam = friends, circle; ciram bhoktum = for a long time, to enjoy; icChasi yadi = you desire, if; raama vi priyam maa kR^ithaa = to Rama, un, desirable, do not, do.
Verse 33
निवार्यमाणः सुहृदा मया भृशम्
प्रसह्य सीताम् यदि धर्षयिष्यसि |
गमिष्यसि क्षीण बलः स बान्धवो
यम क्षयम् राम शर आत्त जीवितः || ३-३८-३३
“If you wish to intimidate Seetha aggressively despite of my considerable preventing in all my good-heartedness towards you, then your army will fade away, and you with your kinsfolk will emigrate to the world of Yama, the Terminator, for your life will be taken away by the arrow of Rama.” Thus, Maareecha spoke to Ravana. [3-38-33]
33. su hR^idaa = with a good, heart; mayaa bhR^isham nivaaryamaaNaH = by me, considerably, being prevented; siitaam prasahya dharSayiSyasi yadi = Seetha is, aggressively, intimidated, if [you wish to]; kSiiNa balaH = one with diminished, army; sa baandhavaH = with, kinsfolk; raama shara aatta jiivitaH = Rama’s, arrow, taken away, life – one with such removed life – dead; yama kSayam gamiSyasi = to Yama [the Terminator’s,] world, you will go.
