Aranya Kanda: Chapter 17

कृताभिषेको रामस्तु सीता सौमित्रिरेव च। तस्माद् गोदावरीतीरात् ततो जग्मुः स्वमाश्रमम्॥
Having bathed, Rāma Sītā and Sumitrā's son went to their own asylum from the banks of the Godāvarī.

आश्रमं तमुपागम्य राघवः सहलक्ष्मणः। कृत्वा पौर्वाह्निकं कर्म पर्णशालामुपागमत् ॥
Arriving at the asylum, Rāghava along with Lakşmana, performing his morning devotions, entered the cottage.

उवास सुखितस्तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः। स रामः पर्णशालायामासीनः सह सीतया॥ विरराज महाबाहुश्चित्रया चन्द्रमा इव। लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्राता चकार विविधाः कथाः॥
And honoured of the Maharsis, Rāma happily dwelt in that cottage; and seated with Sītā that mighty-armed one looked like the moon in conjunction with Citrā. And he carried on various converse with his brother Lakşınana.

तदासीनस्य रामस्य कथासंसक्तचेतसः। तं देशं राक्षसी काचिदाजगाम यदृच्छया॥ सा तु शूर्पणखा नाम दशग्रीवस्य रक्षसः। भगिनी राममासाद्य ददर्श त्रिदशोपमम्॥ दीप्तास्यं च महाबाहुं पद्भपत्रायतेक्षणम्। गजविक्रान्तगमनं जटामण्डलधारिणम्।७।।
As Räma was thus seated with his mind engrossed in that talk, a Rākṣasi came to that region at her will. And that one named Surpanakhā, sister to the ten-necked Raksasa, coming upon Răma, saw him like a celestial, having a leonine chest, mighty arms, and expansive eyes resembling lotus leaves, with the powerful gait of the elephant, wearing a head of matted locks, with a resplendent countenance, bearing regal marks.

सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम्। राममिन्दीवरश्यामं कंदर्पसदृशप्रभम्॥ वभूवेन्द्रोपमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी काममोहिता।
And beholding Rāma dark-blue like the lotus, and becoming like Kandarpa himself, and resembling Indra, the Rākşasi was maddened with desire.

सुमुखं दुर्मुखी रामं वृत्तमध्यं महोदरी॥ विशालाक्षं विरूपाक्षी सुकेशं ताम्रमूर्धजा। प्रियरूपं विरूपा सा सुस्वरं भैरवस्वना ॥
Rāma graced with beauteous continence, that Raksasi had a hideous face; Ráma had a slender waist, she had a huge abdomen; he had expansive eyes, she had terrible eyes; he was gifted with an elegant head of hair, she had coppery hair; Rāma was of a dear presence, she was of an unsightly presence; Rāma had a sonorous voice, she had a hideous voice.

तरुणं दारुणा वृद्धा दक्षिणं वामभाषिणी। न्यायवृत्तं सुदुर्वृता प्रियमप्रियदर्शना ॥
Rāma was youthful, the Rākşasi was an old hag; Rāma had mellifluous accents, she had was a harsh accents; Rāma was ever abiding by justice, she was unruly; Rāma was handsome, she was ugly.

शरीरजसमाविष्टा राक्षसी राममब्रवीत्। जटी तापसवेषेण सभार्यः शरचापधृक् ॥ आगतस्त्वमिमं देशं कथं राक्षससेवितम्। किमागमनकृत्यं ते तत्त्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि॥
That Rākşasī being wrought up with passion addressed Rāma saying Wearing matted locks, and equipped with bows and arrows, why hast you along with your wife come to this region haunted by Rākșasas? It behove you to say "what the object of your visit is."

एवमुक्तस्तु राक्षस्या शूर्पनख्या परंतपः। ऋजुबुद्धितया सर्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे॥
Thus accosted by the Rākṣasī, Śūrpanakhă, that subduer of his foes from sincerity of disposition began to relate everything;

आसीद् दशरथो नाम राजा त्रिदशविक्रमः। तस्याहमग्रजः पुत्रो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः॥
There was a king named Dasaratha endued with the prowess of a celestial. I am his eldest son known among men by the name of Rāma.

भ्रातायं लक्ष्मणो नाम यवीयान् मामनुव्रतः। इयं भार्या च वैदेही मम सीतेति विश्रुता॥
This is my younger brother (named) Laks inana, (ever)serving me. This is my wife, known by the name of Sītā.

नियोगात् तु नरेन्द्रस्य पितुर्मातुश्च यन्त्रितः। धर्मार्थं धर्मकाण्क्षी च वनं वस्तुमिहागतः॥
Commanded by my father and mother, I in obedience their mandate, desirous of acquiring religious merits, have for the purpose of securing righteousness, come to the forest for dwelling here.

त्वां तु वेदितुमिच्छामि कस्य त्वं कासि कस्य वा। त्वं हि तावन्मनोज्ञाङ्गी राक्षसी प्रतिभासि मे ॥ इह वा किंनिमित्तं त्वमागता ब्रूहि तत्त्वतः।
I also am anxious to know you. Whose daughter are you? And what is your name, and what your lineage? Possessed of a captivating form, you appear to me as a Rākşasī. Tell me truly why you have come here. to

साब्रवीद् वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसी मदनार्दिता॥ श्रूयतां राम तत्त्वार्थं वक्ष्यामि वचनं मम। अहं शूर्पणखा नाम राक्षसी कामरूपिणी॥
Hearing these words the Rákşasi, afflicted with lust said, Listen, O Rāma. I will relate everything truly. I am a Räkșasī, capable of wearing shapes at will. My name in Śūrpanakhā.

अरण्यं विचरामीदमेका सर्वभयंकरा। रावणो नाम मे भ्राता यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः॥
Striking terror into the hearts of all, I range this forest alone. My brother is named Ravana* You may have heard of him.

वीरो विश्रवसः पुत्रो यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः। प्रवृद्धनिद्रश्च सदा कुम्भकर्णो महाबलः॥ विभीषणस्तु धर्मात्मा स तु राक्षसचेष्टितः। प्रख्यातवीर्यौ च रणे भ्रातरौ खरदूषणौ॥
My brother Råvana is a valiant son of Viśravā if you have heard of him. And he that is given to long sleep-the mighty Kumbhakarna, the righteous Vibhīşaņa, who never serves the Rākşasas, and the brothers Khara and Düşaņa renowned in conflict (are also my brothers).

तानहं समतिक्रांता राम त्वापूर्वदर्शनात्। समुपेतास्मि भावेन भर्तारं पुरुषोत्तमम्॥
O Rāma, I have surpassed them all (in prowess). At first sight of you, I approach you, you best of men, as iny husband, with (feelings of) love.

अहं प्रभावसम्पन्ना स्वच्छन्दबलगामिनी। चिराय भव भर्ता मे सीतया किं करिष्यसि ॥
I am endued with power, and range about at will by virtue of my strength. Become my husband for ever and a day. What will you do with Sita?

विकृता च विरूपा च न सेयं सदृशी तव। अहमेवानुरूपा ते भार्यारूपेण पश्य माम्।।२६
Deformed and unsightly, she is not worthy of you. I am fit for you. Do you look upon me as a wife.

इमां विरूपामसती कराला निर्णतोदरीम्। अनेन सह ते भ्रात्रा भक्षयिष्यामि मानुषीम्॥
This unsightly, grim unchaste and human one with me, with a lean abdomen, will I devour up, along with this brother of yours.

ततः पर्वतशृङ्गाणि वनानि विविधानि च। पश्यन् सह मया कामी दण्डकान् विचरिष्यसि॥
Then having your wish, in company you will range the Daņdakas, surveying the various mountain summits and forests.

इत्येवमुक्त: काकुत्स्थः प्रहस्य मदिरेक्षणाम्। इदं वचनमारेभे वक्तुं वाक्यविशारदः॥
Thus addressed, Kākutstha having charming eyes, well skilled in speech, with a smile, began to speak thus. with me, with a lean abdomen, will I devour up, along with this brother of yours.

ततः पर्वतशृङ्गाणि वनानि विविधानि च। पश्यन् सह मया कामी दण्डकान् विचरिष्यसि॥
Then having your wish, in company you will range the Daņdakas, surveying the various mountain summits and forests.

इत्येवमुक्त: काकुत्स्थः प्रहस्य मदिरेक्षणाम्। इदं वचनमारेभे वक्तुं वाक्यविशारदः॥
Thus addressed, Kākutstha having charming eyes, well skilled in speech, with a smile, began to speak thus.