स दीनो दीनया वाचा लक्ष्मणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्। शीघ्रं लक्ष्मण जानीहि गत्वा गोदावरी नदीम्॥ अपि गोदावरी सीता पद्मान्यानयितुं गता।
Rāma stricken with grief spoke to Lakşmaņa the following piteous words saying, O Laks mana, do you speedily repair to the river Godaverſ and learn if Sītā has gone there to fetch lotuses.
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मणः पुनरेव हि॥ नदी गोदावरी रम्यां जगाम लघुविक्रमः।
Being thus addressed by Rāma, the quickpaced Lakşmaņa went to the pleasant stream Godaveri.
तां लक्ष्मणस्तीर्थवती विचित्वा राममब्रवीत्॥ नैनां पश्यामि तीर्थेषु क्रोशतो न शृणोति मे।
Reconnoitring full well the river containing many a watering-place Lakşmaņa spoke to Rāma saying, Searched have I all the watering-places but have found her nowhere-anon I cried aloud but she did not hear.
कं नु सा देशमापन्ना वैदेही क्लेशनाशिनी॥ नहि तं वेद्मि वै राम यत्र सा तनुमध्यमा।
I cannot trace whither has Vaidehi of slender waist repaired ever assuaging our mental affliction.
लक्ष्मणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दीनः संतापमोहितः॥ रामः समभिचक्राम स्वयं गोदावरी नदीम्।
Hearing Laksmana's words, Rāma, aggrieved and overwhelmed with sorrow repaired in person to the river Godāverī.
स तामुपस्थितो रामः क्व सीतेत्येवमब्रवीत्॥ भूतानि राक्षसेन्द्रेण वधाहेण हृतामपि। न तां शशंशू रामाय तथा गोदावरी नदी।७।।
Arriving there cried he where is Şītā? Neither did the world of creatures nor the river Godāvarī apprise Rāma of Sītā's being carried away by the Lord of Rākşasas worthy of being slain.
ततः प्रचोदिता भूतैः शंस चास्मै प्रियामिति। न च सा ह्यवदत् सीतां पृष्टा रामेण शोचता॥ रावणस्य च तद्रूपं कर्मापि च दुरात्मनः। ध्यात्वा भयात् तु वैदेही सा नदी न शशंस ह॥
Thinking of the terrible figure and monstrous action of that vicious-souled Råvaņa, that river did not dare relate to him anything about Sītā, albeit appointed by the creatures to relate the story concerning her and accosted by Răma in piteous accents.
निराशस्तु तया नद्या सीताया दर्शने कृतः। उवाच रामः सौमित्रिं सीतादर्शनकर्शितः॥
Being thus disappointed by the river in beholding Sītā, Răma racked with her separation spoke to Lakşmaņa.
एषा गोदावरी सौम्य किंचिन्न प्रतिभाषते। किं तु लक्ष्मण वक्ष्यामि समेत्य जनकं वचः॥ मातरं चैव वैदेह्या विना तामहमप्रियम्।
O you of auspicious looks, this river Godāvarī dose give no reply. But O Laksmana, returning without her what shall I say to Janaka and Vaidehi's mother?
या मे राज्यविहीनस्य वने वन्येन जीवितः॥ सर्वं व्यपानयच्छोकं वैदेही क्व नु सा गता। ज्ञातिवर्गविहीनस्य वैदेहीमप्यपश्यतः॥
Where has that Vaidehi gone who used to assuage my grief who had been deprived of kingdom and living in this forest on wild fruits and vegetables? Nights shall appear too long to me, keeping late liquors being deprived of my kinsmen and relatives and not beholding Vaidehi.
मन्ये दीर्घा भविष्यन्ति रात्रयो मम जाग्रतः। मन्दाकिनी जनस्थानमिमं प्रस्रवणं गिरिम्॥ सर्वाण्यनुचरिष्यामि यदि सीता हि लभ्यते।
I can range this Mandakini, this Janasthāna and this Pasravana hill if I can find Sītā there.
एते महामृगा वीर मामीक्षन्ते पुनः पुनः॥ वक्तुकामा इह हि मे इङ्गितान्युपलक्षये।
Behold, O hero, the high deer have been casting their looks again and again at men; methinks from their gestures, they intend speaking something to me.
तांस्तु दृष्ट्वा नरव्याघ्रो राघवः प्रत्युवाच ह॥ क्व सीतेति निरीक्षन् वै बाष्पसंरुद्धया गिरा। एवमुक्ता नरेन्द्रेण ते मृगाः सहसोत्थिताः॥ दक्षिणाभिमुखाः सर्वे दर्शयन्तो नभः स्थलम्।
Beholding them, Rāghava, the best of men, looked at them and said in accents choked with vapour-Where is Sītā? Being thus addressed by that Lord of men the deer rose up all on a sudden and looked up to the sky facing the south and proceeded to the direction by which Maithili had been carried away.
मैथिली ह्रियमाणा सा दिशं यामभ्यपद्यत ॥ तेन मार्गेण गच्छन्तो निरीक्षन्ते नराधिपम्। येन मार्गं च भूमिं च निरीक्षन्ते स्म ते मृगाः॥ पुनर्नदन्तो गच्छन्ति लक्ष्मणेनोपलक्षिताः। तेषां वचनसर्वस्वं लक्षयामास चेङ्गितम्॥ उवाच लक्ष्मणो धीमाज्येष्ठं भ्रातरमार्तवत्। क्व सीतेति त्वया पृष्टा यदिमे सहसोत्थिताः॥ दर्शयन्ति क्षितिं चैव दक्षिणां च दिशं मृगाः। साधु गच्छावहे देव दिशमेतां च नैर्ऋतीम्॥ यदि तस्यागमः कश्चिदार्या वा साऽथ लक्ष्यते।
Moving by that way these deer eyed the Lord of men and again and again fixed their looks upon that way and earth and passed along emitting cries which was marked by Lakṣmaṇa. He marked with attention their movements and cries and spoke to his elder brother like one aggrieved saying-Being accosted by you with—'Where is Sītā?' these deer have stood up all on a sudden and have been pointing to the south and earth-let us therefore proceed in this direction—it may be that we shall either meet with that worshipful madam or find some mementoes concerning her.
बाढमित्येव काकुत्स्थः प्रस्थितो दक्षिणां दिशम्॥ लक्ष्मणानुगतः श्रीमान् वीक्षमाणो वसुंधराम्।
Thereat Kākutstha, gifted with supreme beauty, proceeded towards the south being followed by Laksmana and casting his look upon the earth.
एवं सम्भाषमाणौ तावन्योन्यं भ्रातरावुभौ॥ वसुंधरायां पतितपुष्पमार्गमपश्यताम्।
While proceeding thus, conversing with each other the two brothers beheld some flowers scattered on the high-way.
पुष्पवृष्टिं निपतितां दृष्ट्वा रामो महीतले॥ उवाच लक्ष्मणं वीरो दुःखितो दुःखितं वचः।
Beholding a collection of flowers scattered on earth, Rāma, exceedingly sorry, spoke to Laks mana in piteous accents.
अभिजानामि पुष्पाणि तानीमानीह लक्ष्मण ॥ अपिनद्धानि वैदेह्या मया दत्तानि कानने।
O Lakşmaņa, I have come to know that these are the flowers of the forest I gave Vaidehī; with these she decorated her hair.
मन्ये सूर्यश्च वायुश्च मेदिनी च यशस्विनी॥ अभिरक्षन्ति पुष्पाणि प्रकुर्वन्तो मम प्रियम्।
Me-thinks the sun, the air and the famed earth have preserved them for my well-being.
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुर्लक्ष्मणं पुरुषर्भम्॥ उवाच रामो धर्मात्मा गिरिं प्रस्रवणाकुलम्।
Having spoken these words to Lakşmaņa, the best of men, the virtuous-souled Rāma, of mighty arms, addressed the mountain in front of him containing many fountains.
कच्चित् क्षितिभृतां नाथ दृष्टा सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरी॥ रामा रम्ये वनोद्देशे मया विरहिता त्वया।
O you the best of mountains, have you beheld in this picturesque forest-land, that exquisitely fine damsel racked with my separation?
क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद् गिरिं तत्र सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगं यथा॥ तां हेमवर्णां हेमाङ्गी सीतां दर्शय पर्वत। यावत् सानूनि सर्वाणि न ते विध्वंसयाम्यहम्॥ एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण पर्वतो मैथिली प्रति। दर्शयन्निव तां सीतां नादर्शयत राघवे॥
Exceedingly wroth he accosted the mountain like to a lion addressing a little deer, saying Show me my graceful Sītā hued like gold before I crush down your summits. Being thus addressed by Rāma on Maithili's account the mountain did not show him Sītā.
ततो दाशरथी राम उवाच च शिलोच्चयम्। मम बाणाग्निनिर्दग्धो भस्मीभूतो भविष्यसि ॥ असेव्यः सर्वतश्चैव निस्तृणद्रुमपल्लवः।
Again addressed him Rāma—You shall by the fire of my arrows, be reduced to ashes-your twigs and leaves shall be totally destroyed and no one shall resort to you.
इमां वा सरितं चाद्य शोषयिष्यामि लक्ष्मण॥ यदि नाख्याति मे सीतामद्य चन्द्रनिभाननाम्।
O Lakşmaņa, I shall dry up this river Godāvari if it tell me not about Sītā having a moon-like countenance.
एवं प्ररुषितो रामो दिधक्षन्निव चक्षुषा ॥ ददर्श भूमौ निष्क्रान्तं राक्षसस्य पदं महत्। वस्ताया रामकाङ्गिण्याः प्रधावन्त्या इतस्ततः॥ राक्षसेनानुसृप्ताया वैदेयाश्च पदानि तु।
Rāma, exceedingly wroth, cast his looks around as if desiring to burn everything with his eyes and beheld footprints of the Räkşasas on the earth as well as those of Sītā moving wildly hither and thither, terrified and desirous to see Rāma, while pursued by the Rākşasas.
स समीक्ष्य परिक्रान्तं सीताया राक्षसस्य च॥ भग्नं धनुश्च तूणी च विकीर्णं बहुधा रथम्। सम्भ्रान्तहृदयो रामः शशंस भ्रातरं प्रियम्।।३८
Beholding these foot marks, the snapped bow, the quiver and the chariot broken into many pieces, Rāma, terrified spoke to his dear brother.
पश्य लक्ष्मण वैदेह्या कीर्णाः कनकविन्दवः। भूषणानां हि सौमित्रे माल्यानि विविधानि च॥
Behold O, Laksmana, the remnants of Vaidehi's golden ornaments, strewn hither and thither, and diverse garlands.
तप्तबिन्दुनिकाशैश्च चित्रैः क्षतजबिन्दुभिः। आवृतं पश्य सौमित्रे सर्वतो धरणीतलम्॥
Behold O Saumitrī, the earth covered with drops of blood resembling golden drops.
मन्ये लक्ष्मण वैदेही सक्षसैः कामरूपिभिः। भित्वा भित्वा विभक्ता वा भक्षिता वा भविष्यति॥
Methinks, O Laksmana, Vaidehi has been devoured by the Rākşasas assuming shapes at will, having sundered her in pieces.
तस्या निमित्तं सीताया द्वयोर्विवदमानयोः। बभूव युद्धं सौमित्रे घोरं राक्षसयोरिह।॥
O Saumitrī, there took place a terrible conflict between the Rākṣasas, fighting with each other on Sita's account.
मुक्तामणिचितं चेदं रमणीयं विभूषितम्। धरण्यां पतितं सौम्य कस्य भग्नं महद् धनुः॥
O gentle one, whose is this snapped bow lying on the breast of the earth adorned and crested with pearls and diamonds?
राक्षसानामिदं वत्स सुराणामथवापि वा। तरुणादित्यसंकाशं वैदूर्यगुलिकाचितम्॥ विशीर्णं पतितं भूभौ कवचं कस्य काञ्चनम्। छत्रं शतशलाकं च दिव्यमाल्योपशोभितम्॥ भग्नदण्डमिदं सौम्य भूमौ कस्य निपातितम्। काञ्चनोरश्छदाश्चेमे पिशाचवदनाः खराः॥ भीमरूपा महाकायाः कस्य वा निहता रणे।
O brother, this belongs either to the celestials or to the Rākşasas. Whose is this golden armour lying shattered on earth, resembling the newly risen sun, in colour and adorned with sapphire? Whose is this umbrella lying broken on earth, containing a hundred rod and adorned with celestial garlands? In whose conflict have these terrible asses, of large proportions, having faces of demon and with breast plates, been killed?
दीप्तपावकसंकाशो द्युतिमान् समरध्वजः॥ अपविद्धश्च भग्नश्च कस्य साङ्ग्रामिको रथः।
Whose is this shattered war-car lying upset on the ground and broken flag resembling in lustre the burning gold?
रथाक्षमात्रा विशिखास्तपनीयविभूषणा॥ कस्येमे निहता वाणाः प्रकीर्णा घोरदर्शनाः।
Whose are these terrible arrows feathered in gold, measuring four-hundred fingers, lying without blades on earth?
शरावरौ शरैः पूर्णौ विध्वस्तौ पश्य लक्ष्मण ॥ प्रतोदाभीषुहस्तोऽयं कस्य वा सारथिर्हतः।
Behold, O Laksmana, these two quivers have been totally spoiled though filled with arrows. whose charioteer is this who has been killed with reins and lash in hands?
पदवी पुरुषस्यैषा व्यक्तं कस्यापि रक्षसः॥ वैरं शतगुणं पश्य मम तैर्जीवितान्तकम्। सुघोरहृदयैः सौम्य राक्षसैः कामरूपिभिः। ५१ ।।
These foot-marks must be some Raksasa's. I made these Rākşasas my fatal enemies, assuming shapes at will and of crooked hearts.
हृता मृता वा वैदेही भक्षिता वा तपस्विनी। न धर्मस्त्रायते सीतां ह्रियमाणा महावने॥
Poor Sītā must have been either dead, carried away by them or devoured. Virtue did not save her from being carried away in this mighty forest.
भक्षितायां हि वैदेह्यां हृतायामपि लक्ष्मण। के हि लोके प्रियं कर्तुं शक्तः सौम्य ममेश्वराः॥
O Lakşmaņa, while virtue did not protect Janakī being devoured or taken away by stealth, what person else gifted with heavenly power, on this earth shall bring about my well-being?
कर्तारमपि लोकानां शूरं करुणवेदिनम्। अज्ञानादवमन्येरन् सर्वभूतानि लक्ष्मण ॥
For this it is that people through ignorance disregard the ever kind Almighty-the lord of creatures and the best of the celestials.
मृदुं लोकहिते युक्तं दान्तं करुणवेदिनम्। निर्वीर्य इति मन्यन्ते नूनं मां त्रिदशेश्वराः।५५।।
Truly shall the celestials regard me as one devoid of prowess, who am mild-tempered, kind, ever engaged in the welfare of the humanity, and have controlled all my senses.
मां प्राप्य हि गुणो दोषः संवृत्तः पश्य लक्ष्मण। अद्यैव सर्वभूतानां रक्षसामभवाय च॥ संहत्यैव शशिज्योत्स्नां महान् सूर्य इवोदितः। संहत्यैव गुणान् सर्वान् मम तेजः प्रकाशते॥
Observe, O Laksmana, obtaining me as the stay these accomplishments have been turned into so many blemishes. Truly shall my prowess manifest itself to-day overshadowing all my other accomplishments for the destruction of the Rākşasas and all created beings like to the rising of the Sun casting the Moon into shade on the day of dissolution.
नैव यक्षा न गन्धर्वा न पिशाचा न राक्षसाः। किंनरा वा मनुष्या वा सुखं प्राप्स्यन्ति लक्ष्मण॥
None shall enjoy felicity, O Lakşmaņa,-Yaksas, Gandharvas, Pisacas, Raksasas, Kinnaras, or human beings.
ममास्त्रबाणसम्पूर्णमाकाशं पश्य लक्ष्मण। असम्पातं करिष्यामि ह्यद्य त्रैलोक्यचारिणाम्॥
Today shall the welkin be filled up with my arrows. Motionless shall I make all the animals inhabiting the three worlds.
संनिरुद्धग्रहगणमावारितनिशाकरम्। विप्रणष्टानलमरुद्भास्करद्युतिसंवृतम्॥ विनिर्मथितशैलाग्रं शुष्यमाणजलाशयम्। ध्वस्तद्रुमलतागुल्मं विप्रणाशितसागरम्॥ त्रैलोक्यं तु करिष्यामि संयुक्तं कालकर्मणा। न ते कुशलिनी सीतां प्रदास्यन्ति ममेश्वराः॥ अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते सौमित्रे मम द्रक्ष्यन्ति विक्रमम्।
I shall arrest the movement of the planets and overshadow the Moon. Stopping the course of the wind and destroying the rays of the Sun and fire I shall envelope the earth with darkness, crush down the summits of the mountains, dry up the pools, blow up the creepers, demolish the Ocean and eradicate the trees. If the celestials do not give me back my Sītā I shall bring about the dissolution of the three worlds which would else have been wrought by time. O son of Sumitrā, instantly shall the celestials headed by Indra, meet with my prowess, if they do not give back my Sītā, ever advancing my welfare.
नाकाशमुत्पतिष्यन्ति सर्वभूतानि लक्ष्मण ॥ मम चापगुणोन्मुक्तैर्बाणजालैर्निरन्तरम्। मर्दितं मम नाराचैध्वस्तभ्रान्तमृगद्विजम्॥ समाकुलममर्यादं जगत् पश्याद्य लक्ष्मण।
None shall be able to range the welkin. Behold O Lakşmaņa, being perpetually crushed down by my arrows shot off my bow, the world shall be disturbed and dislodged and the animals and birds shall be confused and destroyed.
आकर्णपूर्णैरिषुभिर्जीवलोकदुरावरैः॥ करिष्ये मैथिलीहेतोरपिशाचमराक्षसम्।
Stretching the bow to my ears I shall make the world, for Sita's sake, void of Pisacas and Raks asas with my arrows incapable of being withstood by created beings.
मम रोषप्रयुक्तानां विशिखानां बलं सुराः॥ द्रक्ष्यन्त्यद्य विमुक्तानाममर्षाद् दूरगामिनाम्।
To-day shall the celestials behold the power of my arrows coursing a long distance shot through my ire.
नैव देवा न दैतेया न पिशाचा न राक्षसाः॥ भविष्यन्ति मम क्रोधात् त्रैलोक्ये विप्रणाशिते।
Three worlds, destroyed on account of my wrath, celestials, Sanavas, Pisacas or Raks asas,-none shall be saved.
देवदानवयक्षाणां लोका ये रक्षसामपि॥ बहुधा निपतिष्यन्ति बाणौधैः शकलीकृताः।
The dwellings of the celestials, Asuras, Yaks as and Rākşasas shall fall down sundered by my arrows into diverse pieces.
निर्मर्यादानिमाल्लोकान् करिष्याम्यद्य सायकैः॥ हतां मृतां वा सौमित्रे न दास्यन्ति ममेश्वराः। तथारूपां हि वैदेही न दास्यन्ति यदि प्रियाम्॥ नाशयामि जगत् सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। यावद् दर्शनमस्या वै तापयामि च सायकैः॥
I shall dislodge the whole world by my arrows. If the celestials do not give me back my Vaidehī dead or carried away or as she was before, I shall destroy the whole world mobile or immobile and disturb all with my arrows until i see her.
इत्युक्त्वा क्रोधताम्राक्षः स्फुरमाणोष्ठसम्पुटः। वल्कलाजिनमाबद्ध्य जटाभारमबन्धयत्।७२।।
Having spoken thus, Rāma, with his eyes reddened with fire and lips swollen, tying fast his bark and deer-skin, braided his matted locks.
तस्य क्रुद्धस्य रामस्य तथाभूतस्य धीमतः। त्रिपुरं जघ्नुषः पूर्वं रुद्रस्येव बभौ तनुः॥
Having done this, being exceedingly wroth he looked like Rudra about to destroy Tripura.
लक्ष्मणादथ चादाय रामो निष्पीड्य कार्मुकम्। शरमादाय संदीप्तं घोरमाशीविषोपमम्॥ संदधे धनुषि श्रीमान् रामः परपरञ्जयः। युगान्ताग्निरिव क्रुद्ध इदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Thereat taking his bow from Lakşmaņa and holding it fast, the effulgent Rāma, the conqueror of foes, fixed flaming arrows to it like so many serpents and said being exercised with ire like to fire on the eve of dissolution.
यथा जरा यथा मृत्युर्यथा कालो यथा विधिः। नित्यं न प्रतिहन्यन्ते सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मण। तथाहं क्रोधसंयुक्तो न निवार्योऽस्म्यसंशयम् । ७६ ।।
O Lakşınaņa none shall be able to withstand me, who am inflamed with rage, as debility consequent on old age, death, time, duty are incapable of being averted from their destined ends by the animals.
पुरेव मे चारुदतीमनिन्दितां दिशन्ति सीतां यदि नाद्य मैथिलीम्। सदेवगन्धर्वमनुष्यपन्नगं जगत् सशैलं परिवर्तयाम्यहम्॥
I shall bring about a mighty revolution in the world containing the celestials Gandharvas, human beings, Pannagas and the mountains, if I do not get back, in her pristine beauty, my Sītā, the daughter of the King of Mithilā.