Sundara Kanda: Chapter 27

इत्युक्ताः सीतया घोरं राक्षस्यः क्रोधमूछिताः। कांश्चिज्जग्मुस्तदाख्यातुं रावणस्य दुरात्मनः॥
Being thus addressed angrily by Sītā, some of those Raksasis, beside themselves with ire, proceeded to relate this to the vicious-souled Ravana.

ततः सीतामुपागम्य राक्षस्यो भीमदर्शनाः। पुनः परुषमेकार्थमनर्थार्थमथाब्रुवन्॥
And approaching Sītā those grim-visaged demons again addressed her with words rude and rough.

अद्येदानीं तवानार्ये सीते पापविनिश्चये। राक्षस्यो भक्षयिष्यन्ति मांसमेतद् यथासुखम्॥
O vile Sītă, O you bent on committing sin, we Rākşasīs shall today devour your flesh to the best of our satisfaction.

सीतां ताभिरनार्याभिदृष्ट्वा संतर्जितां तदा। राक्षसी त्रिजटा वृद्धा प्रबुद्धा वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥
Beholding those vile demons threaten Sītā, a Raksasa matron, wise and old, named, Trijata cried.

आत्मानं खादतानार्या न सीतां भक्षयिष्यथ। जनकस्य सुतामिष्टां स्नुषां दशरथस्य च॥
O vile demons, do youeat your own persons (The proper expression, I think, should be-“Eat me.” The commentator Rāmānuja explains Atmanam as your own bodies.) but do not devour Sītā, the daughter of Janaka and the esteemed daughter-in-law of the king Dasaratha.

स्वप्नो ह्यद्य मया दृष्टो दारुणो रोमहर्षणः। राक्षसानामभावाय भर्तुरस्या भवाय च॥
I dreamt a terrible dream last night which made my down stand on their end. And in that dream I foresaw the overthrow of the Rāksasa race and the conquest of her husband.

एवमुक्तास्त्रिजटया राक्षस्यः क्रोधमूर्च्छिताः। सर्वा एवाब्रुवन् भीतास्त्रिजटां तामिदं वचः॥
And being thus addressed by Trijatā, those demons, exercised with wrath and terrified, accosted her with the following words.

कथयस्व त्वया दृष्टः स्वप्नोऽयं कीदृशो निशि। तासां श्रुत्वा तु वचनं राक्षसीनां मुखोद्गतम्॥ उवाच वचनं काले त्रिजटा स्वप्नसंश्रितम्।
"Do you relate (to us) what sort of dream didst you dream last night." And hearing those words proceeding from the mouths of the Rākşasīs, Trijatā began to describe the dream she had at the latter end of the night,

गजदन्तमयीं दिव्यां शिबिकान्तरिक्षगाम्॥ युक्तां वाजिसहस्रेण स्वयमास्थाय राघवः। शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरो लक्ष्मणेन समागतः॥
I saw Rāma, wearing garlands and clothed in white, ride in a celestial chariot, along with Lakşmaņa, made of ivory, traversing the etherial regions and drawn by a hundred steeds.

स्वप्न चाद्य मया दृष्टा सीता शुक्लाम्बरावृता। सागरेण परिक्षिप्तं श्वेतपर्वतमास्थिता॥ रामेण संगता सीता भास्करेण प्रभा यथा।
I saw in my dream to-night, that Sītā, clad in the purest white, appearing on a snow-white hill beaten by the waves of the ocean, had at last met Rāma, like to light joined to the Sun.

राघवश्च पुनदृष्टश्चतुर्दन्तं महागजम्॥ आरूढः शैलसंकाशं चकास सहलक्ष्मणः।
I again saw Rāma and Lakşmaņa appear in effulgence, seated on a huge elephant, having four tusks and resembling a bull.

ततस्तु सूर्यसंकाशौ दीप्यमानौ स्वतेजसा ॥ शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरौ जानकी पर्युपस्थितौ।
Thereupon those two (brothers), resplendent like to the Sun by their own effulgence, and wearing white garlands and clothes, appeared near Janaka's daughter.

ततस्तस्य नगस्याग्रे ह्याकाशस्थस्य दन्तिनः॥ भ; परिगृहीतस्य जानकी स्कन्धमाश्रिता। भर्तुरङ्कात् समुत्पत्य ततः कमललोचना।। चन्द्रसूर्यौ मया दृष्टा पाणिभ्यां परिमार्जती॥
And the lotus-eyed Jānakī, on the top of the hill situate on the welkin, first fell on the lap of her husband and then stationed herself on the neck of the elephant guided by her husband. Then I saw Sītā rubbing the Sun and the Moon with her two hands.

ददस्ताभ्यां कुमाराभ्यामास्थितः स गजोत्तमः। सीतया च विशालाक्ष्या लङ्काया उपरिस्थितः। पाण्डुरर्षभयुक्तेन रथेनाष्टयुजा स्वयम्॥ शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरो लक्ष्मणेन सहागतः।
Then that best of the elephants, with those two princes and the large eyed Sītā on him, stood high above Lanka. I again saw Rāma, clad in white, and adorned with garlands, ride along with Lakşmaņa in a chariot drawn by eight white bullocks.

ततोऽन्यत्र मया दृष्टो रामः सत्यपराक्रमः॥ लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा सीतया सह वीर्यवान्। आरुह्य पुष्पकं दिव्यं विमानं सूर्यसंनिभम्॥ उत्तरां दिशमालोच्य प्रस्थितः पुरुषोत्तमः।
I again saw that highly energetic, best of men, Rāma, having truth for his prowess, along with his brother Lakşmaņa and Sītā flee to Northern realms, ascending a celestial flowery chariot resembling (in brightness) the Sun.

रावणश्च मया दृष्टो मुण्डस्तैलसमुक्षितः॥ रक्तवासा पिबन्मत्तः करवीरकृतस्रजः। विमानात् पुष्पकादद्य रावणः पतितः क्षितौ॥
I saw Ravana too, shaved and shorn, besmeared with oil, wearing a crimson cloth, drinking honey, wearing a garland of Karavīra flowers, fall down on earth from the flowery chariot.

कृष्यमाणः स्त्रिया मुण्डो दृष्टः कृष्णाम्बरः पुनः। रथेन खरयुक्तेन रक्तमाल्यानुलेपनः॥ पिबंस्तैलं हसन्नृत्यन् भ्रान्तचित्ताकुलेन्द्रियः। गर्दभेन ययौ शीघ्रं दक्षिणां दिशमास्थितः॥
And dragged by a woman, shaved, wearing a red cloth and garlands and sprinkled with crimson paste, Rāvana was again seen by me riding in a chariot drawn by asses. And quaffing oil, laughing and dancing, that one of agitated senses, forgetting himself sped on the chariot to the South. (In the south is the region of Yama, the God of Death and hence his going to the south is not an auspicious sign.)

पुनरेव मया दृष्टो रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः। पतितो विशिरा भूमौ गर्दभाद्भयमोहितः॥
And I again saw Rāvana, the lord of the Raksasas, stricken with fear, fall, headless, down on the earth.

सहसोत्थाय सम्भ्रान्तो भयार्तो मदविह्वलः। उन्मत्तरूपो दिग्वासा दुर्वाक्यं प्रलपन्बहु॥ दुर्गन्धं दुःसहं घोरं तिमिरं नरकोपमम्। मलपङ्कं प्रविश्याशु मग्नस्तत्र स रावणः॥
And then rising all on a sudden, and uttering obscene and inconsistent words like to a maniac, Rāvana overwhelmed with fear, and amazement, and intoxicated, fell into a mass of dirt, stinking and resembling the very hell. And again proceeding to the South he entered into a lake devoid of mud and water.

प्रस्थितो दक्षिणामाशां प्रविष्टोऽकर्दमं हृदम्। कण्ठे बद्ध्वा दशग्रीवं प्रमदा रक्तवासिनी॥ कालीकर्दमलिप्ताङ्गी दिशं याम्यां प्रकर्षति। एवं तत्र मया दृष्टः कुम्भकर्णो महाबलः॥ रावणस्य सुताः सर्वे मुण्डास्तैलसमुक्षिताः। वराहेण दशग्रीवं शिशुमारेण चेन्द्रजित्॥ उष्ट्रेण कुम्भकर्णश्च प्रयातो दक्षिणां दिशम्।
And a dark woman, clad in a crimson cloth, and bedaubed with mud, dragged the Ten-necked demon, entwining herself around his neck. Then followed the mighty Kumbhakarņa (Rāvana's brother) and all the sons of Rāvana, shaved and shorn and besmeared with oil. And they all proceeded southward—the Ten-necked demon on a boar, Indrajit (Rāvana's son-the name signifies the conqueror of the lord of the celestials) on a porpoise, and Kumbhakarņa on a camel.

एकस्तत्र मया दृष्टः श्वेतच्छत्रो विभीषणः।। चतुर्भिः सचिवैः सार्धं वैहायसमुपस्थितः॥
I saw only Vibhīșaņa, with a white umbrella and accompanied by four courtiers, range in the welkin.

समाजश्च महान् वृत्तो गीतवादित्रनि:स्वनः। पिबतां रक्तमाल्यानां रक्षसां रक्तवाससाम्॥ लङ्का चेयं पुरी रम्या सवाजिरथकुञ्जरा। सागरे पतिता दृष्टा भग्नगोपुरतोरणा॥
And there was audible in the large assembly sound of music and stringed instruments. And all the Rākşasa wearing crimson clothes and garlands, were quaffing oil, I saw the royal and picturesque city Lankā with her steeds, cars and elephants, drowned in the ocean, having her gateways and ornamented arches broken.

पीत्वा तैलं प्रमत्ताश्च प्रहसन्त्यो महास्वनाः। लङ्कायां भस्मरूक्षायां सर्वा राक्षसयोषितः॥
And in Lanka, covered with dust, Raksasa women laughing and making terrible sound, were engaged in quaffing oil.

कुम्भकर्णादयश्चेमे सर्वे राक्षसपुङ्गवाः। रक्तं निवसनं गृह्य प्रविष्टा गोमयहृदम्॥
I saw all the leading Raksasas-Kumbhakarņā and others, dark-hued and wearing crimson clothes, emerged in an abyss of cow dung.

अपगच्छत पश्यध्वं सीतामाप्नोति राघवः। घातयेत् परमामर्षी युष्मान् सार्धं हि राक्षसैः॥
Do youtherefore fly at some distance, and will find that Rāghava shall regain Sītā. And exercised with ire he shall destroy you all along with the Raksasas.

प्रियां बहुमतां भार्या वनवासमनुव्रताम्। भर्त्तितां तर्जितां वापि नानुमंस्यति राघवः॥
Rāghava shall never brook, his esteemed and beloved spouse, living in the forest, being taunted and threatened by you.

तदलं क्रूरवाक्यैश्च सान्त्वमेवाभिधीयताम्। अभियाचाम वैदेहीमेतद्धि मम रोचते॥
No more with rough words therefore; do you console the lady and humbly pray her to forgive you. This I think proper.

यस्या ह्येवंविधः स्वप्नो दुःखितायाः प्रदृश्यते। सा दुःखैर्बहुभिर्मुक्ता प्रियं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्॥
Surely shall she, divested of misfortune, he reconciled to her beloved and excellent husband, regarding whom, in her misery, I have dreamt such a dream.

भर्त्तितामपि याचध्वं राक्षस्यः किं विवक्षया। राघवाद्धि भयं घोरं राक्षसानामुपस्थितम्॥
YouRaksasis! You have threatened her, do youimplore her forgiveness—no more with harsh words. Forsooth, from Rāghava shall proceed the mighty disaster of the Rākṣasas.

प्रणिपातप्रसन्ना हि मैथिली जनकात्मजा। अलमेषा परित्रातुं राक्षस्यो महतो भयात्॥
If Maithili, the daughter of the king Janaka, be pleased with you (for your imploring her forgiveness) you might be saved from the mighty disaster.

अपि चास्या विशालाक्ष्या न किंचिदुपलक्षये। विरूपमपि चाङ्गेषु सुसूक्ष्ममपि लक्षणम्॥
I do not perceive any inauspicious mark on the person of this large-eyed dame. It appears from the paleness of her countenance that she has been overcome by misfortune.

छायावैगुण्यमानं तु शङ्के दुःखमुपस्थितम्। अदुःखार्हामिमां देवीं वैहायसमुपस्थिताम् ॥
And I saw in my dreams) this worshipful damsel, unworthy of any misfortune, stationed in the welkin.

अर्थसिद्धिं तु वैदेह्याः पश्याम्यहमुपस्थिताम्। राक्षसेन्द्रविनाशं च विजयं राघवस्य च॥
Verily I do perceive, before me, the satisfaction of Vaidehi's end, the destruction of the lord of the Rākşasas and the conquest of Raghava.

निमित्तभूतमेतत् तु श्रोतुमस्या महत् प्रियम्। दृश्यते च स्फुरच्चक्षुः पद्मपत्रमिवायतम्॥ ईषच्च हृषितो वास्या दक्षिणाया ह्यदक्षिणः। अकस्मादेव वैदेह्याः बाहुरेकः प्रकम्पते॥
Behold! there, her left eye, spacious, as a lotus-petals, is dancing to hear this pleasant dream announcing the satisfaction of her own end. And her left arm is also dancing with joy, all on a sudden.

करेणुहस्तप्रतिमः सव्यश्चोरुरनुत्तमः। वेपन् कथयतीवास्या राघवं पुरतः स्थितम्॥
And her excellent beautiful left thigh, resembling the trunk of an elephant, is also dancing as if indicating, that she shall at no distant date, be reconciled to Rāghava.

पक्षी च शाखानिलयं प्रविष्टः पुनः पुनश्चोत्तमसान्त्ववादी। सुखागतां वाचमुदीरयाणः पुनः पुनश्चोदयतीव हृष्टः॥
And the birds, again and again, entering their nests, and highly delighted are pouring forth their notes announcing the advent of a happy occasion.

ततः सा ह्रीमती बाला भर्तुर्विजयहर्षिता। अवोचद् यदि तत् तथ्यं भवेयं शरणं हि वः।॥
Thereupon that modest dame, dame, greatly delighted in the prospective conquest of her husband, said, “If this be true I shall save you all.”