सा तथोक्ता तु वैदेही निर्भया शोककर्शिता। तृणमन्तरतः कृत्वा रावणं प्रत्यभाषत॥
Having been thus addressed, Vaidehī unaffected by fear, although exercised with grief, placing a blade of grass between herself and Rāvana, answered him.
राजा दशरथो नाम धर्मसेतुरिवाचलः। सत्यसंधः परिज्ञातो यस्य पुत्रः स राघवः॥ नामो नाम स धर्मात्मा त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः। दीर्घबाहुर्विशालाक्षो दैवतं स पतिर्मम ॥
There was a king named Dasaratha, the bridge of righteousness, like to a mountain, ever bearing regard towards the truth, and renowned among men, whose son is Rāghava. He is named Rāma, and is righteous-souled and celebrated over the three worlds. he is long-armed, of expansive eyes, like to a celestial—he is my husband.
इक्ष्वाकूणां कुले जातः सिंहस्कन्धो महाद्युतिः। लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा यस्ते प्राणान् वधिष्यति॥ प्रत्यक्षं यद्यहं तस्य त्वया वै धर्षिता बलात्। शयिता त्वं हतः संख्ये जनस्थाने यथा खरः॥
Born in the race of the Ikşvākus, the has the shoulders of a lion and is possessed of exceeding effulgence-the same that along with his brother, Laksmana, shall take your life. If you had wronged me forcibly in his presence, you would have slain in battle in Janasthāna even as Khara.
य एते राक्षसाः प्रोक्ता घोररूपा महाबलाः। राघवे निर्विषाः सर्वे सुपर्णे पन्नगा यथा॥
All the mighty Rākşasas of grim visages, whom you have extolled (before me), shall be deprived of their venom before Rāma, as serpents are before Suparna,
तस्य ज्याविप्रमुक्तास्ते खराः काञ्चनभूषणाः। शरीरं विधमिष्यन्ति गङ्गाकूलमिवोर्मयः।७।।
The shafts decorated with gold shot by the bow-string of Rāghava, shall pierce their bodies, as the waves of the Ganga (beat against) her banks.
असुरैर्वा सुरैर्वा त्वं यद्यवध्योऽसि रावण। उत्पाद्य सुमहद् वैरं जीवंस्तस्य न मोक्ष्यसे ॥
Although, O Rāvana, you may be incapable of being slain either by the gods or the Asuras, yet having roused the high hostility of Rāghava, you will not be able to liberate your life.
स ते जीवितशेषस्य राघवोऽन्तकरो बली। पशोडूंपगतस्येव जीवितं तव दुर्लभम्॥
The strong Rāghava will compass the end of what remains of your life. Like the life of a beast tied to the sacrificial stake, your own is incapable of being reclaimed.
यदि पश्येत् स रामस्त्वं रोषदीप्तेन चक्षुषा। रक्षस्त्वमद्य निर्दग्धो यथा रुद्रेण मन्मथः॥
Should Rāma look at you with eyes aglow with anger, you, O Raksasa, would be consumed even as Manmatha was by, Rudra.
यश्चन्द्रं नभसो भूमौ पातयेन्नाशयेत वा। सागरं शोषयेद् वापि स सीतां मोचयेदिह॥
He who is able to bring down the Moon or destroy him, and to drink up the ocean dry, will surely liberate Sītā from here.
गतासुस्त्वं गतश्रीको गतसत्त्वो गतेन्द्रियः। लङ्का वैधव्यसंयुक्ता त्वत्कृतेन भविष्यति ॥
Your days are numbered, and auspiciousness has bidden you adieu. You are shorn of strength, and your senses have been dulled. And it is owing to you that Larkā shall be subject to widowhood.
न ते पापमिदं कर्म सुखोदकं भविष्यति। याहं नीता विनाभावं पतिपार्ध्वात् त्वया बलात्॥
That you by force have for naught carried me away from the side of my husband-this sinful act can never conduce to your felicity.
स हि देवरसंयुक्तो मम भर्ता महाद्युतिः। निर्भयो वीर्यमाश्रित्य शून्ये वसति दण्डके॥
That exceedingly effulgent lord of mine along with my husband's younger brother, summoning up their energy, is fearlessly dwelling in the vacant Dandaka.
स ते वीर्यं बलं दर्पमुत्सेकं च तथाविधम्। व्यपनेष्यति गात्रेभ्यः शरवर्षेण संयुगे॥
By means of an arrowy shower in conflict, he will take your prowess and strength, your hauteur and wickedness out of your person,
यदा विनाशो भूतानां दृश्यते कालचोदितः। तदा कार्ये प्रमाद्यन्ति नराः कालवशं गताः॥
When urged by the Destroyer, the destruction of creatures is perceptible, then, coming under the sway of the Destroyer, men become careless in their actions.
मां प्रधृष्य स ते कालः प्राप्तोऽयं राक्षसाधम। आत्मनो राक्षसानां च वधायान्तःपुरस्य च॥
Having outraged me, you, O worst of Rāks asas your time come; for compassing your own destruction as well as that of the Rākşasas and those dwelling in your inner apartment.
न शक्या यज्ञमध्यस्था वेदिः स्रुग्भाण्डमण्डिता। द्विजातिमन्त्रसम्पूता चण्डालेनावमर्दितुम्॥
A Candāla cannot tread the dais reared the midst of a sacrifice beauteous with ladies, and vessels, and sanctified by the twice-born ones.
तथाहं धर्मनित्यस्य धर्मपत्नी दृढव्रता। त्वया स्प्रष्टुं न शक्याहं राक्षसाधम पापिना॥
So I, the religiously wedded wife of that one, ever intent on virtue, and (always) firm in my vows, is incapable, you vilest of Raksasas, of being touched by you, a sinner.
क्रीडन्ती राजहंसेन पद्मषण्डेषु नित्यशः। हंसी सा तृणमध्यस्थं कथं द्रक्ष्येत मद्गुकम्॥
How can the female that has always ‘sported with her mate amidst lotuses, cast her eyes on a shag staying among rushes.
इदं शरीरं नि:संज्ञं बन्ध वा घातयस्व वा। नेदं शरीरं रक्ष्यं मे जीवितं वापि राक्षस ॥
Do you either bind or destroy this body deprived of sensation. This body will I not protect, nor yet this life, O Rāvana;
न तु शक्यमपक्रोशं पृथिव्यां दातुमात्मनः। एवमुक्त्वा तु वैदेही क्रोधात् सुपरुषं वचः॥
And I shall not be able to bring blame on myself in this world. having said these harsh words in wrath, Videha's daughter, Janaki, did not there again say anything to Rāvaņa.
रावणं जानकी तत्र पुनर्नोवाच किंचन। सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा परुषं रोमहर्षणम्॥ प्रत्युवाच ततः सीतां भयसंदर्शनं वचः।
Hearing Sita's words, harsh and calculated to make one's down stand on end, Rāvana answered her in words tending to excite one's apprehension,
शृणुमैथिलि मद्वाक्यं मासान् द्वादश भामिनि ॥ कालेनानेन नाभ्येषि यदि मां चारुहासिनि। ततस्त्वां प्रातराशार्थं सूदाश्छेत्स्यन्ति लेशशः॥
Hear, O Maithili, my words. O damsel if, O you of sweet smiles, within this time you do not turn yourself to me, the cooks shall cut you off in pieces to serve my morning mcal.
इत्युक्त्वा परुषं वाक्यं रावणः शत्रुरावणः। राक्षसीश्च ततः क्रुद्ध इदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Having herself spoken thus, Ravana-challenger of foes-growing exceedingly wroth, addressed the Rākşasis in these words,
शीघ्रमेव हि राक्षस्यो विरूपा घोरदर्शनाः। दर्पमस्यापनेष्यन्तु मांसशोणितभोजनाः॥
You frightful Rākşasīs terrible to behold, subsisting on flesh and gore, do you at once crush her pride.
वचनादेव तास्तस्य सुघोरा घोरदर्शनाः। कृतप्राञ्जलयो भूत्वा मैथिली पर्यवारयन्॥
As soon as he had said this, those frightful and terrible Rākṣasīs with joined hands encircled Maithili.
स ताः प्रोवाच राजासौ रावणो घोरदर्शनाः। प्रचल्य चरणोत्कर्षैर्दारयन्निव मेदिनीम्॥
Then the grim-visaged king Ravana, as if riving the earth by his tread, proceeding a pace or two, said,
अशोकवनिकामध्ये मैथिली नीयतामिति। तत्रेयं रक्ष्यतां गूढं युष्माभिः परिवारिता॥ तत्रैनां तर्जनैोरैः पुनः सान्त्वैश्च मैथिलीम्। आनयध्वं वशं सर्वा वन्यां गजवधूमिव ॥
Do you take Maithilī to the wood of Asokas. There surrounding her, do you secretly guard her; and there (sometimes) by storming, and (at other) by means of soft speech, do you all strive to bring Mithila's daughter, like a wild female elephant, under your sway.
इति प्रतिसमादिष्टा राक्षस्यो रावणेन ताः। अशोकवनिकां जग्मुर्मैथिली परिगृह्य तु॥ सर्वकामफलैर्वृक्षैर्नानापुष्पफलैर्वृताम्। सर्वकालमदैश्चापि द्विजैः समुपसेविताम्॥
Thus commanded by Rāvana, those Rākşasis taking Maithili along with them, went to the Asoka wood, abounding with trees granting every desire, and filled with various kinds of fruits and flowers, and frequented by fowls fraught with juices at all seasons.
सा तु शोकपरिताङ्गी मैथिली जनकात्मजा। राक्षसीवशमापन्ना व्याघ्रीणां हरिणी यथा॥
And as a doe comes under the subjection of tigresses, Janaka's daughter, Maithili, her frame worked up with grief, came under the sway of the Raksasis.
शोकेन महता त्रस्ता मैथिली जनकात्मजा। न शर्म लभते भीरुः पाशबद्धा मृगी यथा॥
And like a female deer fast bound by a trap, Janaka's timid daughter Maithilī, agitated by the mighty grief, did not attain respite.
न विन्दते तत्र तु शर्म मैथिली विरूपनेत्राभिरतीव तर्जिता। पतिं स्मरन्ती दयितं च देवरं विचेतनाभूद् भयशोकपीडिता ॥
And greatly up-braided by the fierce eyes (of the Raksasis), Maithili did not know repose; and, afflicted with grief and fear, she, remembering her beloved lord along with Lakşmaņa swooned away.
इतः परं प्रक्षिप्तोऽयं सर्गः।। प्रवेशितायां सीतायां लङ्कां प्रति पितामह। तदा प्रोवाच देवेन्द्र परितुष्टं शतक्रतुम्॥
Having been thus addressed, Vaidehi unaffected by fear, although exercised with grief, placing a blade of grass between herself and Ravana, answered him.
त्रैलोक्यस्य हितार्थाय रक्षसामहिताय च। लङ्कां प्रवेशिता सीता रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥
On Sītā having entered Lankā, the great father addressed the gratified Devendra of an hundred sacrifices, For bringing about the weal of the three worlds, and the woe of the Rākşasas, Sītā has been taken into Lankā by the wickedminded, Rāvaņa.
पतिव्रता महाभागा नित्यं चैव सुस्त्रैधिता। अपश्यन्ती च भतौरं पश्यन्ती राक्षसीजनम्॥ राक्षसीभिः परिवृता भर्तृदर्शनलालसा।
Devoted to her husband, the exalted lady always brought up in happiness, not seeing her husband, and seeing (on the other hand) environed by numbers of Räkşasīs,-is hungering after the sight of her lord.
निविष्टा हि पुरी लङ्का तीरे नदनदीपतेः॥ कथं ज्ञास्यति तां रामस्तत्रस्थां तामनिन्दिताम्।
The city of Lankā is situated on the shores of the lord of rivers and streams. How can Rāma get a knowledge of that blameless one, staying there?
दुःशं संचिन्तयनिती सा बहुशः परिदुर्लभा ॥ प्राणयात्रामकुर्राणा प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यत्यसंशयम्। स भूयः संशयो जातः सीतायाः प्राणसंक्षये॥
Brooding over the various ills she has undergone, that exceedingly rare damsel is passing her days. Surely she will resign her existence. Great is the doubt that has arisen as to Sītā putting a period to her existence.
स त्वं शीघ्रमितो गत्वा सीतां पश्य शुभाननाम्। प्रविश्य नगरी लङ्कां प्रयच्छ हविरुत्तमम्॥
Having yourself from here, do you see the fair-faced Sītā. having entered the city of Lankā, Offer excellent clarified butter.
एवमुक्तोऽथ देवेन्द्रः पुरी रावणपालिताम्। आगच्छन्निद्रया सार्ध भगवान् पाकशासनः॥
Thus addressed by the reverend chastiser of Pāka, Devendra in company with sleep, approached the city ruled by Rāvana.
निद्रां चोवाच गच्छ त्वं राक्षसान् सम्प्रमोहय। सा तथोक्ता मघवता देवी परमहर्षिता॥ देवकार्यार्थसिद्धयर्थं प्रामोहयत राक्षसान् ।
He then addressed sleep, saying. Go you; and stupefy the Räksasas. Thus accosted by Maghavat, that goddess, exceedingly delighted, for securing success to the work of the celestials, covered the Rākşasas with stupor.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवः सहस्राक्षः शचीपतिः॥ आसमाद वनस्थां तां वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ।
In the meanwhile, that god, the thousand-eyed lord of Śacī went to (Sītā) staying in the woods, and spoke to her these words,
देवराजोऽस्मि भद्रं ते इह चास्मि शुचिस्मिते॥ अहं त्वां कार्यनिद्दध्यर्थं राघवस्य महात्मनः। साहाय्यं कल्पयिष्यामि मा शुचो जनकात्मजे ॥
I am the sovereign of the celestials. Good betide you! I am here, O you of luminous smiles! For securing success to the work of the magnanimous Rāghava, I will lend my aid to you. Do not, Odaughter of Janaka, grieve.
मत्प्रसादात् समुद्रं स तरिष्यति बलैः सह। मयैवेह च राक्षस्यो मायाय मोहिताः शुभे॥
Through my grace, he shall along with his forces cross over the ocean. And, O excellent wench, I have by my supernal power, stupified the Raksasis.
तस्मादन्नमिदं सीते हविष्यान्नहं स्वयम्। स त्वां संगृह्य वैदेहि आगतः सह निद्रया।१४।।
And, O Sita, for this reason, I along with sleep, taking these rice, rice boiled in clarified butter, have, O Vaidehi, corne to you.
एतदत्स्यसि मद्धस्तान्न त्वां वाधिष्यते शुभे। क्षुधा तृषा च रम्भोरु वर्षाणामयुतैरपि॥
If you partake of these from my hand, you shall never O beauteous one, be afflicted either with hunger or thirst, O you of thighs resembling rambhā (trunks), for years.
एवमुक्ता तु देवेन्द्रमुवाच परिशङ्किता। कथं जानामि देवेन्द्रं त्वामिहस्थं खजापतिम्॥
Thus addressed, Sītā, alarmed, said, How can I know you for Devendra, Saci's husband, staying here?
देवलिङ्गानि दृष्टानि रामलक्ष्मणसंनिधौ। तानि दर्शय देवेन्द्र यदि त्वं देवराट् स्वयम्॥
By the side of Rāma and Lakşmaņa, I had beheld the signs of the celestials. If, O Devendra, you are yourself the sovereign of the celestials, show those to me.
सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा तथा चक्रे शचीपतिः। गृथिवीं नास्पृशत् पद्भ्यामनिमेषेक्षणानि च॥ अरजोऽम्बरधारी च नम्लीनकुसुमस्तथा। तं ज्ञात्वा लक्ष्णैः सीता वासवं परिहर्षिता ॥
Hearing Sītā's words, the lord of Saçī did accordingly. he did not touch the earth with his feet, and his eyes remained winkless. he bloomed in youth, and the blossoms did not fade on his attire. Thereupon knowing him for Vāsava, Sītā was overjoyed.
उवाच वाक्यं रुदती भगवन् राघवं प्रति। कह भ्रात्रा महाबाहुर्दिष्टयः मे श्रुतिमागतः॥
And weeping, she spoke regarding Rāghava, By luck it is that I had heard of that mightyarmed one along with his brother.
यथा मे श्वशुरो राजा यथा च मिथिलाधिपः। सथा त्वमद्य पश्यामि सनाथो मे पतिस्त्वया॥
As is my father-in-law, the king, as is the master of Mithilā, so are you (to me), you whom I behold to-day; my husband has now found a protector.
तवाज्ञया च देवेन्द्र पयोभूतमिदं हविः। अशिष्यामि त्वया दत्तं रघूणां कुलवर्घनम्॥
And by your command, O Devendra, will I partake of this pāyasa cooked with milk, which has been offered to me, and which shall enhance (the prosperity) of our race.
इन्द्रहस्ताद् गृहीत्वा तत् पायसं सा शुचिस्मिता। न्यवेदयत भर्ने सा लक्ष्मणाय च मैथिली॥
Thereupon taking the pāyasa from Indra's hands, that Maithilī of luminous smiles (mentally) offered it to her husband as well as Laksmana.
यदि जीवति मे भर्ता सह भ्रात्रा महाबलः। इदमस्तु तयोर्भक्त्या तदाश्नात् स्वयम्॥
If my mighty lord live along with his brother, let this through my reverence for them, be theirs. She then partook of the pāyasa herself.
इतीव तत् प्राश्य हविर्वरानना जहौ क्षुधादुःखसमुद्भवं च तम्। इन्द्रात् प्रवृत्तिमुपलभ्य जानकी काकुत्स्थयोः प्रीतमना बभूव ॥
Having thus eaten it, that one of excellent countenance, had her hunger and rising sorrow removed; and attaining a mental tendency from Indra, Janaki grew glad with reference to the Kakutsthas.
स चापि शक्रस्त्रिदिवालयं तदा प्रीतो ययौ राघवकार्यसिद्धये। आमन्त्र्य सीतां स ततो महात्मा जगाम निद्रासहितः स्वमालयम्॥
And Sakra also for bringing about the success of Rāghava's work, with a pleased mind, went to the abode of celestials. And greeting Sītā again and again, that high-souled celestial, in company with sleep went back to his own abode.