Introduction

Seetha denounces Ravana’s misdeed and challenges him to brave her husband in a manly combat, rather than thieving her in a mousy way. She reasons with him about his propriety in abducting other’s wives, in vainglory.

 

Verse 1

खम् उत्पतन्तम् तम् दृष्ट्वा मैथिली जनक आत्मजा |
दुःखिता परम उद्विग्ना भये महति वर्तिनी || ३-५३-१

Maithili, the daughter of Janaka, on seeing the skyward flight of Ravana taking her along became highly frantic and remaining in highest dismay she is distraught. [3-53-1]

1. janaka aatmajaa maithilii = Janaka’s, daughter, Maithili; kham ut patantam tam dR^iSTvaa = on sky, up, fallen [Ravana’s taking flight along with her,] him, on seeing; parama udvignaa = became highly, frantic; mahati bhaye vartinii = in highest, dismay, remaining in; duHkhitaa = she is distraught.

 

Verse 2

रोष रोदन ताम्राक्षी भीमाक्षम् राक्षस अधिपम् |
रुदती करुणम् सीता ह्रियमाणा इदम् अब्रवीत् || ३-५३-२

Seetha whose eyes turned coppery-red with tears and resentment, still outpouring tears while being abducted she piteously poured this scorn on that gory-eyed demon’s chief, Ravana. [3-53-2]

2. hriyamaaNaa = while being abducted; siitaa = Seetha; rudatii = outpouring tears; roSa rodana taamraakSii = with resentment, tearful, coppery, eyed one; bhiima akSam raakSasa adhipam = terrible [gory,] eyed one, to demon’s, chief; karuNam idam abraviit = piteously, this, said [poured scorn on Ravana.]

Verse 3

न व्यपत्रपसे नीच कर्मणा अनेन रावण |
ज्ञात्वा विरहिताम् यो माम् चोरयित्वा पलायसे || ३-५३-३

“You knave Ravana, you are taking flight on thieving me after prowling about my loneliness, such as you are, are you not ashamed in the least for this subterfuge. [3-53-3]

3. niica raavaNa = knave, Ravana; GYaatvaa = on knowing; vi rahitaam = without, someone – my aloneness; yaH = you who are; maam corayitvaa palaayase = me, on thieving, you took to flight; anena karmaNaa = by this, act [subterfuge]; na vyapatrapase [vi apa tarpase] = not, [very, lowly, ashamed] = are you not ashamed in the least.

Verse 4

त्वया एव नूनम् दुष्टात्मन् भीरुणा हर्तुम् इच्छता |
मम अपवाहितो भर्ता मृग रूपेण मायया || ३-५३-४

“You black-hearted fiend, for sure, you alone sidelined my husband in a trickish guise of Golden Deer wishful to abduct me as you are a coward. [3-53-4]

4. duSTa aatman = oh, black, hearted [fiend]; hartum icChataa = to abduct, wishful; bhiiruNaa = by coward; tvayaa eva = by you, alone; mama bhartaa = my, husband; maayayaa mR^iga ruupeNa = by trickery, in a Golden-Deer’s, guise; apa vaahitaH = to side, lined – led away from hermitage; nuunam = for sure.

Verse 5

यो हि माम् उद्यतः त्रातुम् सो अपि अयम् विनिपातितः |
गृध्र राजः पुराणो असौ श्वशुरस्य सखा मम || ३-५३-५

“Which king of eagles battled against you to bail me out, an old friend of my father-in-law, such as he is he is also felled, indeed. [3-53-5]

5. yaH gR^idhra raajaH = which, eagle, king; maam traatum = me, to bail [me] out; udyataH = battled against; mama shvashurasya puraaNaH sakhaa = my, father-in-law’s, old, friend; saH ayam = such as he is; asau api = him, also [even he is]; vi ni paatitaH hi = verily, down, felled, indeed.

Verse 6

परमम् खलु ते वीर्यम् दृश्यते राक्षसाधम |
विश्राव्य नामधेयम् हि युद्धे न अस्मि जिता त्वया || ३-५३-६

“Ah, truly what an audacious audacity is shown by you… you basely demon… by ear-shattering your great name saying that ‘I am Ravana…’ I am conquered in a combat – Really?

6. raakSasa adhama = you demon, basely; te viiryam = your, audacity; paramam dR^ishyate khalu = audacious, appearing [shown by you,] truly; naamadheyam vishraavya = [your great] name, making to listen [earbashing, ear-shattering,]; tvayaa yuddhe na jitaa asmi hi = by you, in combat, not, conquered, I am, really; [or, yuddhena asmi jitaa tvayaa hi = by combating, I am, conquered, by you – Really? Or, yuddhe naamadheyam vishraavya = in combat, you name, on announcing.]

Verse 7

ईदृशम् गर्हितम् कर्म कथम् कृत्वा न लज्जसे |
स्त्रियाः च हरणम् नीच रहिते च परस्य च || ३-५३-७

“A woman, that too a lonely one, that too the other man’s wife, that too an abduction, but not winning or wooing her… you knave, on your undertaking such a kind of deplorable deed, how unashamed are you? [3-53-7]

7. niica = you knave; rahite = lonely; parasya ca = other [man’s,] also [that too]; striyaaH ca = woman, also; haraNam ca = abduction, also [that too]; iidR^isham garhitam karma = this kind of, deplorable, deed; kR^itvaa = on doing [undertaking]; katham na lajjase = how, not, ashamed you are.

Verse 8

कथयिष्यन्ति लोकेषु पुरुषाः कर्म कुत्सितम् |
सुनृशंसम् अधर्मिष्ठम् तव शौण्डीर्य मानिनः || ३-५३-८

“A self-glorifier as you are, this highly inhuman, iniquitous, imputable deed of yours will be recounted by all men in all worlds. [3-53-8]

8. shauNDiirya maaninaH = glorious, self-admirer [self-glorification, or self-vain-glorification] tava = of yours; su nR^ishamsam = highly, inhuman; a dharmiSTham = not, equitable [iniquitous]; kutsitam = reprovable [imputable]; karma = deed; lokeSu puruSaaH kathayiSyanti = in world, men, wish to recount.

Verse 9

धिक् ते शौर्यम् च सत्त्वम् च यत् त्वया कथितम् तदा |
कुल आक्रोशकरम् लोके धिक् ते चारित्रम् ईदृशम् || ३-५३-९

“Damn with what you have said then about your might and mettle… damn with this kind of your demeanour which is lamentable to whole of your clan in this world. [3-53-9]

9. yat = what; tvayaa tadaa kathitam = by you, then, said; te shauryam = of your, might; sattvam ca = mettle, also; dhik = be damned; loke = in world; kula aakrosha karam = to [whole of the] clan, lamentable; te iidR^isham caaritram = your, this kind of, demeanour; dhik = be damned.

Verse 10

किम् शक्यम् कर्तुम् एवम् हि यत् जवेन एव धावसि |
मुहूर्तम् अपि तिष्ठस्व न जीवन् प्रतियास्यसि || ३-५३-१०

“What can be done possibly… why because you are fleeing very speedily in this way… wait for a moment to ascertain whether you can go back in aliveness… [3-53-10]

10. kim kartum shakyam = what, to do, possible – what can be done possibly; yat = why because; evam javena eva dhaavasi = this way, speedily, thus, you are fleeing; muhuurtam api tiSThasva = for moment, even, stay [wait, to ascertain]; jiivan na prati yaasyasi = in aliveness, not [whether,] back, you can go; hi = indeed.

Verse 11

न हि चक्षुः पथम् प्राप्य तयोः पार्थिव पुत्रयोः |
स सैन्यो अपि समर्थः त्वम् मुहूर्तम् अपि जीवितुम् || ३-५३-११

“On your coming into the line of sight of those two princes, even if you are with whole of your military, you will be incapacitated to live on, indeed even for a moment… [3-53-11]

11. tayoH paarthiva putrayoH = two of their, of king’s, sons [princes Rama, Lakshmana]; cakSuH patham praapya = eyesight, way [line,] on getting [coming into]; tvam sa sainyaH api = you, along with, military, even; muhuurtam api jiivitum na samarthaH hi = moment, even, to live on, not, capacitated you are, indeed.

Verse 12

न त्वम् तयोः शर स्पर्शम् सोढुम् शक्तः कथंचन |
वने प्रज्वलितस्य इव स्पर्शम् अग्नेः विहंगमः || ३-५३-१२

“Anywise it will be incapable of you to endure the touch of their arrows, as with a bird that cannot endure the overly flaring up wildfire in a forest. [3-53-12]

12. vane pra jvalitasya agneH = in forest, overly, flaring up, of wildfire; sparsham vihan gamaH iva = touch, sky, flyer [bird,] as with; tvam tayoH shara sparsham = you, their, arrows, touch; soDhum kathancana na shaktaH = to endure, in anywise, not, capable.

Verse 13 & 14a

साधु कृत्वा आत्मनः पथ्यम् साधु माम् मुंच रावण |
मत् प्रधर्षण रुष्टो हि भ्रात्रा सह पतिः मम || ३-५३-१३
विधास्यति विनाशाय त्वम् माम् यदि न मुंचसि |

“Oh, Ravana, positively contemplate in your soul and politely release me… and if you do not release me, indeed by the rancour of insulting me, my husband along with his brother devises your doom… [3-53-13, 14a]

13, 14a. raavaNa = oh, Ravana; saadhu aatmanaH pathyam kR^itvaa = positively, in your soul, behove, on making [contemplate]; maam saadhu munca = me, politely, release; tvam maam na muncasi yadi = you, me, not, releases, if; mat pradharSaNa ruSTaH hi = of my, by insulting, by rancour, indeed; mama patiH = my, husband; bhraatraa saha = [his] brother, along with; [te = you]; vinaashaaya vidhaasyati = [of your] doom, devises.

Verse 14b & 15a

येन त्वम् व्यवसायेन बलात् माम् हर्तुम् इच्छसि || ३-५३-१४
व्यवसायः तु ते नीच भविष्यति निरर्थकः |

“You rogue! By which endeavour you are desirous of thieving me under duress, that endeavour of yours behoves absurd. [3-53-14b, 15a]

14b, 15a. niica = you rogue; tvam = you; yena vyavasaayena = by which, endeavour; maam balaat hartum icChasi = me, under duress, to thieve, desirous of; te = of yours; [sah = that]; vyavasaayaH tu = endeavour, on its part; nir arthakaH = less of, meaning [meaningless, absurd]; bhaviSyati = it results as.

Verse 15b & 16a

न हि अहम् तम् अपश्यन्ती भर्तारम् विबुध उपमम् || ३-५३-१५
उत्सहे शत्रु वशगा प्राणान् धारयितुम् चिरम् |

“Though I am in aliveness now, but on my going under the control of an enemy and on unseeing godlike husband of mine I am indeed unenthused to bear up my lives for a long. [3-53-15]

15b, 16a. aham = I will; vibudha upamam bhartaaram = god, in simile, at husband; tam a pashyantii = him [Rama,] by not, seeing; shatru vashagaa = enemy’s, going under control of; ciram = for a long; praaNaan dhaarayitum = lives, to bear up; na utsahe hi = not, I enthuse, indeed.

Verse 16b & 17a

न नूनम् च आत्मनः श्रेयः पथ्यम् वा समवेक्षसे || ३-५३-१६
मृत्यु काले यथा मर्त्यो विपरीतानि सेवते |

“Definitely and completely unanticipated in your heart are either that which is worthwhile or that which is beneficial to you, as mortals undertake a quirkily behaviour at the time of their death…

16b, 17a. martyaH mR^ityu kaale = mortals, at death, time; yathaa vipariitaani sevate = as, too much [noxious, non-recuperative foodstuffs, or, quirkily behaviour,] enjoys [undertakes]; aatmanaH = in your heart; pathyam ca = nontoxic [worthwhile,] either; shreyaH vaa = beneficial, or; nuunam na sam avekSase = definitely, not, completely, you anticipate.

Verse 17b & 18a

मुमूर्षूणाम् तु सर्वेषाम् यत् पथ्यम् तत् न रोचते || ३-५३-१७
पश्यामि इव हि कण्ठे त्वाम् काल पाश अवपाशितम् |

“But which is recuperative that is unpalatable to all of the death-rattlers, and indeed, I behold you as one around whose throat the noose of Time is looped. [3-53-17b, 18a]

17b, 18a. mumuurSuuNaam tu sarveSaam = mortals about to die [death-rattlers,] but, to all of them; yat pathyam tat na rocate = which, is recuperative, that, not, interested [unpalatable]; tvaam = you; kaNThe = at throat; kaala paasha ava paashitam iva = Time’s, loop; around, looped, as if; pashyaami hi = I behold, indeed.

Verse 18b & 19a

यथा च अस्मिन् भय स्थाने न बिभेषि दशानन || ३-५३-१८
व्यक्तम् हिरण्मयान् हि त्वम् संपश्यसि मही रुहान् |

“As you are dauntless in this daunting situation as for yourself, oh, Decahedral demon, indeed it is clear that you are clearly fantasising the ill-omened golden trees all around. [3-53-18b, 19a]

18b, 19a. dashaanana = oh, Decahedral demon; tvam = you; asmin bhaya sthaane = in this, daunting, place [situation]; yathaa na bibheSi = as to how, not, fearing; thereby; hiraNmayaan mahii ruhaan = golden, earth, sprouted [trees]; sam pashyasi = clearly, seeing [fantasising]; vyaktam hi = clear, indeed.

Verse 19b & 20a

नदीम् वैतरणीम् घोराम् रुधिर ओघ विवाहिनीम् || ३-५३-१९
खड्ग पत्र वनम् चैव भीमम् पश्यसि रावण |

“Oh, Ravana, you will see the ghastly River Vaitarani which will be tumultuously streaming with blood streams, also thus you will see the grisly sword-leaved-forests in hell. [3-53-19b, 20a]

19b, 20a. raavaNa = oh, Ravana; rudhira ogha vi vaahiniim = blood, streams, verily [tumultuously,] streaming; ghoraam vaitaraNiim nadiim = ghastly, Vaitarani, river; bhiimam khaDga patra vanam caiva = grisly, swords, leaved, forest, also thus; pashyasi you will see.

Verse 20b & 21a

तप्त कांचन पुष्पाम् च वैदूर्य प्रवर च्छदाम् || ३-५३-२०
द्रक्ष्यसे शाल्मलीम् तीक्ष्णाम् आयसैः कण्टकैः चिताम् |

“You will see silk-cotton trees flowered with molten gold, shrouded with lapis gemlike melting leaves, and enshrouded with sharp irony thorns in hell. [3-53-20b, 21a]

20b, 21a. tapta kaancana [tapta] puSpaam ca = molten, gold, [melting] flowered, also; [tapta] vaiduurya pravara cChadaam = [melting] lapis gemlike, best, shrouded [by lapis like leaves]; aayasaiH kaNTakaiH citaam = with iron, thorns, encrusted; tiikSNaam shaalmaliim = sharp, silk-cotton tress; drakSyase = you will see.

Verse 21b & 22a

न हि त्वम् ईदृशम् कृत्वा तस्य अलीकम् महात्मनः || ३-५३-२१
धारितुम् शक्स्यसि चिरम् विषम् पीत्वा इव निर्घृणः |

“Oh, unmerciful one, on doing this kind of misdeed to that noble-souled Rama you are incapable to bear up life for a long time like the one who quaffed venom. [3-53-21b, 22a]

21b, 22a. nir ghR^iNaH = oh, not, merciful one; tvam = you; mahaatmanaH tasya = to that noble souled, to him – Rama; iidR^isham aliikam kR^itvaa = this kind of, misdeed, on doing; viSam piitvaa iva = venom, drunk, like; ciram dhaaritum na shaksyasi hi = for a long, to bear up [to live,] not, capable of, indeed.

Verse 22b & 23a

बद्धः त्वम् काल पाशेन दुर्निवारेण रावण || ३-५३-२२
क्व गतो लप्स्यसे शर्म भर्तुः मम महात्मनः |

“You are bound by the unpreventable lasso of the Time, oh, Ravana, on going where you will get complacency from that uncompromising husband of mine? [3-53-22b, 23a]

22b, 23a. raavaNa = Ravana; tvam = you; dur nivaareNa = not, preventable; kaala paashena baddhaH = by Time’s, lasso, bound; mama bhartuH mahaa-aatmanaH = my, husband, from strong-willed one [uncompromising] Rama; kva gataH = to where, on going; lapsyase sharma = you get, complacency.

Verse 23b, 24 & 25a

निमेष अन्तर मात्रेण विना भ्रातरम् आहवे || ३-५३-२३
राक्षसा निहता येन सहस्राणि चतुर्दश |
कथम् स राघवो वीरः सर्व अस्त्र कुशलो बली || ३-५३-२४
न त्वाम् हन्यात् शरैः तीक्ष्णैः इष्ट भार्या अपहारिणम् |

“By whom fourteen thousand demons are killed in war just within a minute, single-handedly without any help from his brother, how then that brave and mighty Raghava, an expert in all kinds of missiles, will not eliminate you, the stealer of his chosen wife, with his mordant arrows?” Thus Seetha poured forth her ire at Ravana. [3-53-23b, 24, 25a]

23b, 24, 25a. yena = by whom; aahave = in combat; bhraataram vinaa = brother, without [brother’s help]; nimeSa antara maatreNa = a minute within, just in; caturdasha sahasraaNi = fourteen thousand; raakSasaa nihataa = demons, killed; viiraH = brave one; sarva astra kushalaH = in all kinds of, missiles, expert; balii = mighty one; saH raaghavaH = he, that Raghava; iSTa bhaaryaa apahaariNam = chosen, wife’s, with the stealer; tvaam = you; tiikSNaiH sharaiH = with mordant, arrows; katham na hanyaat = how, not, kills.

Verse 25b & c

एतत् च अन्यत् च परुषम् वैदेही रावण अंक गा |
भय शोक समाविष्टा करुणम् विललाप ह || ३-५३-२५

On saying this much and other exacting words, Vaidehi who has gone onto the flank of Ravana, indeed lamented lamentably as her dismay is coalesced with her distress. [3-53-25b, c]

25b, c. raavaNa anka gaa = on Ravana’s, flank, [who] has gone; vaidehii = Vaidehi; bhaya shoka samaaviSTaa = dismay, distress, coalesced with; etat ca anyat ca paruSam = this much, also, other, also, sharp [saying exacting words]; karuNam vilalaapa ha = lamentably, lamented, indeed.

Verse 26

तथा भृश आर्ताम् बहु चैव भाषिणीम्
विललाप पूर्वम् करुणम् च भामिनीम् |
जहार पापः तरुणीम् विवेष्टतीम्
नृपात्मजाम् आगत गात्र वेपथुम् || ३-५३-२६

She who is highly agonised and weeping before talking, a ranter who ranted much, a resentful lady who has come of age, and a pitiable whirler in the hands of demon whose whirligig has transformed into spasmodic jerking of her body for deliverance from that sinner, and in that way that sinner stole that princess Seetha. [3-53-26]

26. tathaa = in that way; bhR^isha aartaam = highly, agonised; vilalaapa puurvam = lamenting, prioritised – weeping prior to talking; caiva bhaaSiNiim = in muchness, talking [a ranter]; taruNiim = come of age; karuNam ca = pitiably, also; bahu vi veSTatiim = verily whirler [in anguish]; nR^ipa aatmajaam = king’s, daughter; aagata gaatra vepathum = bechanced, bodily, spasmodic jerking; bhaaminiim = resentful lady; paapaH = sinner; jahaara = stole.