Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
An ogre named Sarama reassures Seetha by telling her that Ravana, the conjurer created an illusory appearance of Rama’s head and exhibited it before her. She informs Seetha that Rama is still alive and is stationed along with his forces at the southern shore of the ocean. Sarama restores confidence to Seetha, by saying that Rama after killing Ravana in battle will soon win her back. |
sItam! tu maeihtam! †òœva srma nam ra]sI,
Aassad Aazu vEdehIm! iàyam! à[iynI soI. 6£33£1
1. atha= then; dR^ishhTvaa= seeing; mahitaam=the bewildered; siitaam= Seetha; raakshhasii= a demon; sarama= called Sarama; praNayinii= an affectionate; sakhii= female companion; aasasaada= approached; priyaam= her best loved; vaidehiim= Seetha.
Seeing the bewildered Seetha, a demon named Sarama*, an affectionate female companion then approached Seetha, her beloved Seetha, her beloved friend.
*Sarama, according to some commentators was the wife of Vibhishana.
maeihtam! ra]seNÔe[ sItam! prmÊ>iotam!,
Aañasyamas tda srma m&Ê-ai;[I. 6£33£2
2. tadaa= then; saramaa= Sarama; mR^idu bhaashiNii= the soft-spoken woman; aashvaasayaamaasa= consoled; siitaam= Seetha; mohitaam= who was infatuated; raakshhasendreNa= by Ravana; paramaduHkhitaam= and who was very much in grief.
Sarama, the soft-spoken woman, consoled Seetha who having been infatuated by Ravana was very much in distress.
sa ih tÇ k«ta imÇm! sItya rúyma[ya,
r]NtI rav[adœ #òa sanu³aeza †F ìta. 6£33£3
3. saa= Sarama; raavaNaadishhTaa= who was assigned by Ravana; rakshhantii; to guard Seetha; saanukroshaa= was kind hearted; dR^iDhavrataa= and firm in austerity; (she) kR^itaahi= was indeed made; mitram= a companion ; siitaaya= by Seetha; rakshhyamaaNayaa= who was being protected; tatra=there.
Sarma, who was assigned by Ravana to guard Seetha, was kind hearted and firm in austerity. She was indeed made a companion by Seetha, who was being protected by her there.
sa ddzR soIm! sItam! srma nò cetnam!,
%pav&Ty %iTwtam! XvStam! vfvam! #v paMsu;u. 6£33£4
4. saa= that; saramaa= Sarama; sakhii=the companion; dadarsha= saw; siitaam= Seetha; nashhTachetanaam= who lost her consciousness; upaavR^itya= having rolled herself; paamsushhu= in dust; badabaamiva= like a female horse; utthitaam= risen; dhvastaam= covered with dust
The affectionate Sarama found Seetha stupefied and just risen after rolling in the dust and soiled, resembling a female horse.
tam! smañasyam! Aas soI õehen suìta,
%a ydœ rav[en Tvm! àTyum! c Svym! Tvya. 6£33£5
5. sakhii= that companion, Sarama; snehena= affectionate; samaa shvaasayaamaasa= consoled; taam= that Seetha; suvrataam= the very virtuous woman; vaidehi= O, Seetha, samaashvasihi= be comfortable; maa bhuut= Let there not be; vyathaa= perturbation; te maanasaa= in your mind.
Sarama consoled the very virtuous Seetha as follows “O, Seetha! Be comfortable! Do not get perturbed in your mind.
%a yÔav[en Tvm! àTyuí Svym! Tvya,
soI õehen tdœ -Ié mya svRm! àitïutm!. 6£33£6
lInya gnhe zUýe -ym! %Ts&Jy rav[at!,
tv hetaerœ ivzal Ai] n ih me jIivtm! iàym!. 6£33£7
6, 7. bhiiru= O, timid woman! yat= whatever; uktvaa= was spoken; raavaNena= by Ravana; tvam= to you; tat sarvam= and all that; pratyuktashcha= was replied; tvayaa= by you; sarvam= of your own accord ; pratishrutam= was overheard; mayaa= by me; utsR^ijya= having abandoned; bhayam= fear; raavaNaat= from Ravana; liinayaa= by hiding; shuunye= in a barren; gagane= sky; sakhiisnehena= owing to affection towards you, my companion; vishaalaakshhi= O, the large eyed woman! me = to me; nahi= there is indeed no; bhayam= fear; raavaNaat = of Ravana; tava hetoH= in your cause.
timid woman! Because of my friendship with you, I overheard Ravana’s words and all the words you have spoken in reply to him, by hiding nearby in a barren sky without fear. O, large eyed woman! I do not have any fear of Ravana, owing to my affection towards you”.
s sMæaNtz c in:³aNtae yt! k«te ra]s Aixp> ,
tc! c me ividtm! svRm! Ai-in:³My mEiwil. 6£33£8
8. maithili= O,Seetha! Sarvam= everything; viditam= was known; me= to me; abhinishhkramya= having gone outside; tatra= about that matter; yatkR^ite= why; saH raakshhaseshvaraH= that Ravana; nishhkaantah= had gone away; sambhraantaH= agitated.
"O, Seetha! Every thing was ascertained by me on the spot, after going out, about the reason for which Ravana has gone away agitated."
n zKym! saEiÝkm! ktuRm! ramSy ividt AaTmn> ,
vxí pué; Vyaºe tiSmÚ! @v %pp*te. 6£33£9
9. na sakyam= It is not possible; kartum= to perform; souptikam= an attack while sleeping; raamasya= in the case of Rama; viditaatmanaH= who was aware of his self; vadhashcha= killing also; tasmin= in his case; purushhavyaaghre= the tiger among men; naiva upapadyate= does not come into existence.
“It is not possible to attack Rama, a man of self awareness, while he is asleep. Nay even killing him, the tiger among men, is well nigh impossible.”
n c @v vanra hNtum! zKya> padp yaeixn> ,
sura dev \;-e[ #v rame[ ih suri]ta> . 6£33£10
10. na shakyaaH= It is not possible; hantum= to kill; evam= in this manner; vaanaraaH= monkeys; paadapayodhinaH= who perform fighting by the use of trees; surakshhitaaH =and who are well protected; raamaNe= by Rama; suraaH iva= as celestials; surararshhabheNa= by Indra the excellent among celestials.
“It is not possible to kill in this manner even monkeys, who perform fighting with trees, in as much as they are fully protected by Rama, even as celestials are protected by Indra their lord”
dI"R v&Ä -ujhœ ïIman! mha %rSkhœ àtapvan!,
xNvI sMhnn %petae xmR AaTma -uiv ivïut> . 6£33£11
iv³aNtae ri]ta inTym! AaTmní prSy c,
lúm[en sh æaÇa k…zlI ny zaôivt!. 6£33£12
hNta pr bl Aae"anam! AicNTy bl paEé;> ,
n htae ra"v> ïIman! sIte zÇu inbhR[> . 13
11, 12, 13. siite= O, Seetha! raaghavaaH= Rama; diirghavR^itta bhujaH= who has long and rounded arms; shriimaan= an illustrious man; mahoraskaH= who is large-chested; prataapavaan= a man of great energy; dhanvii= wielder of a bow; samhananopetaH= a man endowed with muscularity; dharmaatmaa= a righteous minded man; vishrutaa= a man of celebrity; bhuvi= on earth; nityam= forever; vikraantaH= a man of strength; rakshhitaa= a protector; aatmanashcha= for himself; parasyacha= and for others; bhraataa lakshhmaN ena saha= who is together with his brother Lakshmana; kuliinah= a man of high descent; nayashaastravit= knower of doctrines of prudence and wisdom; hantaa= killer; para baloughaan= of a stream of enemy forces; achintyabala pourushhaH= a man with an inconceivable strength and valor; shriimaan= a venerable man; shatru nibarhaNaH= an annihilator of adversaries; na hataH= has not been killed.
“O, Seetha! Rama, who is endowed with long and well rounded arms, an illustrious man, who is large-chested, a man of great energy, an archer well known in the world, a man endowed with muscularity, a righteous minded man, a person of celebrity on earth, a man of eternal strength, a protector for himself and for others, while together with his brother Lakshmana, a man of high descent, a knower of doctrines of conduct and behavior, the killer of a stream of enemy forces, a man of inconceivable strength and valor, a venerable man and an annihilator of adversaries, has not been killed.”
Ayu buiÏ k«Tyen svR -Ut ivraeixna,
#ym! àyua raEÔe[ maya mayaivda Tviy. 6£33£14
14. maayaa= a trickery; prayuktaa= has been hurled; tvayi= on you; iha= here; maayaavinaa= by Ravana, a conjurer; ayuktabuddhikR^ityena= a committer of wrong thinking and action; sarvabhuuta virodhinaa= an enemy of all beings; roudreNa= and a fiery person.
“A trickery has been hurled on you here by the cruel Ravana, a conjurer, who is perverse in thinking and action and an enemy of all beings.”
zaeks! te ivgt> svR> kLya[m! Tvam! %piSwtm!,
Øuvm! Tvam! -jte lúmI> iàym! àIit krm! z&[u. 6£33£15
15. te= you; shokaH= sorrow; vigataH= has gone asunder; sarva kalyaaNam= an all pervading auspiciousness; upasthitam= has occasioned; tvaam= you; dhruvam= Assuredly; lakshhmiiH= prosperity; bhajate= is waiting upon; tvaam= you; priyam= a favorable thing; bhavati= is coming into existence; te= for you; shruNu= hear (me).
“Your sorrow is (now) gone once for all. An all-pervading auspiciousness will await you. Accordingly prosperity will attend on you. Hear me.”
%ÄIyR sagrm! ram> sh vanr senya,
siçivò> smuÔSy tIrm! Aasa* di][m!. 6£33£16
16. raamaH= Rama; vaanarasenayaa saha= along with his army of monkeys; uttiirya= having crossed; saagaram= the ocean; aasaadya= reached; dakshhiNam tiiram= the southern shore; samudrasya= of the sea; samnivishhTaH= and is encamped; (there)
“Rama, along with his army of monkeys, having crossed the ocean, reached its southern shore and is encamped there.”
†òae me pirpU[R AwR> kak…TSw> sh lúm[> ,
sihtE> sagr ANtSwErœ blEs! itóit ri]t> . 6£33£17
17. kaakutthsaH= Rama; saha lakshmaNaH= who was along with Lakshmana; paripuurNaarthaH= who was full of meaning; dR^ishhTati= was perceived; me= by me; tishhTati= who is stationed (there); rakshhitaH= being protected; balaiH= by his forces; sahitaiH= who are united; saagaraantasthaiH= near the ocean.
“Rama, who was along with fully meaningful Lakshmana, was perceived by me. He stands protected by the troops gathered together at the vicinity of the ocean.”
Anen àei;ta ye c ra]sa l"u iv³m> ,
ra"vs! tI[ERTy! @vm! àv&iÄs! tErœ #h Aaùta. 6£33£18
18. anena= by him; ye= which; laghuvikramaaH= quick paced; raakshhasaH= demons; preshhitaaH=were sent; pravR^ittiH= the news; aahR^itaa= has been brought; taiH= by them; ityevam= that; raaghavaH= Rama; tiirNaH= had crossed(the ocean.)
“Some swift paced demons, who were dispatched by Ravana, brought this very news here that Rama has crossed the ocean.”
s tam! ïuTva ivzal Ai] àv&iÄm! ra]s Aixp> ,
@; mÙyte svER> sicvE> sh rav[> . 6£33£19
19. vishaalaakshhi= O, the wide-eyed Seetha! shrutvaa= hearing; taam= that; pravR^ittim= news; saH eshhaH= yonder; raavaNaH= Ravana; mantrayate= is deliberating; sachivaih saha= with his ministers.
“O, the wide-eyed Seetha! Hearing that news, yonder Ravana is busy making deliberations with all his ministers.”
#it äuva[a srma ra]sI sItya sh,
svR %*aegen sENyanam! zBdm! zuïav -Ervm!. 6£33£20
20. (while); saramaa= Sarama; raakshhasii= the ogress; bruuvaaNaa= was talking; iti= as aforesaid; siitaayaa saha= with Seetha; bhairavam= a terrific; shabdam= sound; shushraava= was heard; sarvodyogena= because of the all-out preparation; sainyaanaam= of the troops.
While Sarama, the ogre was talking as aforesaid with Seetha; a terrific sound was heard, from the troops engaged in the impending war.
d{f in"aRt vaidNya> ïuTva -eyaR mha Svnm!,
%vac srma sItam! #dm! mxur -ai;[I. 6£33£21
21. shrutvaa= hearing; mahaasvanam= a loud sound; bheryaaH= of a kettle drum; daN^Danirghaatavaadinyaa= made to sound like a thunder storm with drum stick; saramaa= Sarama; madhura bhaashhiNii= who speaks sweetly; uvaacha= spoke; siitam= to Seetha; idam= these words:
Hearing the crashing sound of kettle drums, made to sound like a thunder storm with a drum stick, Sarama in her sweet voice spoke to Seetha as follows:
sçah jnnI ý! @;a -Erva -Ié -eirka,
-erI nadm! c gM-Irm! z&[u taeyd inSvnm!. 6£33£22
22. bhiiru= O, timid Seetha! Eshhaa= this; bhairavaa= frightful; bherikaa= sound of kettle drum; samvaahajananii= is indeed indicative of preparation for a war; shruNu= hear; gambhiiram= the thundering; bheriinaadamcha= sound of the kettle drum; toyadaniH svanam= resembling the sound of a lightening cloud.
“O, timid Seetha! This frightful sound of a kettledrum is indeed indicative of preparation for a war. Hear also the thundering crash of the kettle drums, which resembles the rumbling of clouds”
kLPyNte mÄ matMga yuJyNte rw vaijn> ,
tÇ tÇ c sçÏa> sMptiNt pdaty> . 6£33£23
23. matta maataN^gaaH= elephants in rut; kalpyante= are being caparisoned for war; rathavaajinaH= the chariot horses; yujyante= are being prepared for battle; sahasrashaH= thousands; turagaaruuDhaaH= of horse men ; praasa hastaaH= with darts in their hands; dR^ishyante= are being seen.
“Elephants in rut are being caparisoned for war. Chariot horses are being prepared for a battle. Thousands of horsemen carrying darts in their hands are seen.”
tÇ tÇ c sÚÏa> sMptiNt shöz>,
AapUyRNte raj magaR> sENyErœ AÑ‚t dzRnE> . 6£33£24
vegviÑrœ ndiÑí taey Aae"Erœ #v sagr> ,
24. sahasrashaH= thousands; samnaddhaaH= of warriors equipped with armor; sampatanti= are marching quickly ; tatra tatra cha= here and there. RaajamaargaaH= Royal high ways; aapuuryante= are filled; adbhutadarshanaiH= with wonderfully looking; sainyaiH= warriors; saagaraH iva= like a sea; toyoughaiH= with its flood of waters; nadadbhishcha= with roaring sound; vegavadbhiH= and velocity.
“Thousands of soldiers equipped with armor are marching quickly hither and thither. Royal highways are filled with wonderfully looking warriors like a swift flowing sea with its flood of waters making a roaring sound.”
zaôa[am! c àsÚanam! cmR[am! vmR[am! twa. 6£33£25
rw vaij gjanam! c -Ui;tanam! c r]sam!,
sMæmae r]same; ùi;tanam! triSvnam!. 6£33£26
à-am! ivs&jtam! pZy nana v[aRm! smuiTwtam!,
vnm! indRhtae xmeR ywa êpm! iv-avsae> . 6£33£27
25, 26, 27. pashya= see; sambhramaH= hurriedly; eshhaH= this; prasannaanaam= sheen of polished; shastraaNaam= weapons; charmaNaam= shields; tathaa=and; varmaNaam= coats of mail; visR^ijataam= sending forth; prabhaam= luster; naanaavarNasamutthitaam= of many hues; ruupam yathaa= like the splendor; vibhaavasoH= of fire; nirdahataH= consuming; vanam= a forest; gharme= in summer; rathavaajigajaanaamcha= (here is seen) the flurry of chariots; horses and elephants; raakshhasendraanuyaayinaam= following the lead of Ravana; and; tarasvinaam= of energetic; raakshhasaam= demons; hR^ishhitaanaam= thrilled with joy.
“See hurriedly, this sheen of polished weapons, shields and coats of mail sending forth luster of many hues like the splendor of fire consuming a forest in summer. Here is seen the flurry of chariots, horses and elephants following the lead of Ravana as well as of energetic demons thrilled with joy.”
"{qanam! z&[u in"aeR;m! rwanam! z&[u inSvnm!,
hyanam! he;ma[anam! z&[u tUyR Xvinm! ywa. 6£33£28
%*t Aayux hStanam! ra]s #NÔ Anuyaiynam!,
sMæmae r]sam! @; tumulae laem h;R[> . 6£33£29
28, 29. shruNu= hear; nirghoshham= the sound; ghaNTaanaam= of bells (of elephants); shruNu= hear; niHsvanam= the rattling; rathaanaam= of chariots; shruNu= hear; hayaanaam= of horses; hreshhamaaNaanaam= neighing; tuuryadhvanim yathaa= resembling the flourish of trumpets; eshhaH= here is; tumulaH= the bustle; rakshhasaam= of demons; udyataayudha hastaanaam= carrying uplifted weapons in their hands; raakshhasendra anuyaayinaam= following the lead of Ravana; sambhramaH= the bustling activity ; romaharshhaNaH= is causing hair to stand on end.
“Hear the sound of bells of elephants. Hear the ratting of chariots. Hear the cry of neighing horses, resembling the flourish of trumpets. Here is the bustle of demons, carrying uplifted weapons in their hands; following the lead of Ravana. This bustling activity is causing hair to stand erect through terror.”
ïIs! Tvam! -jit zaek¹I r]sam! -ym! Aagtm!,
ramat! kml pÇ Ai] dETyanam! #v vasvat!. 6£33£30
AvijTy ijt ³aexs! tm! AicNTy pra³m> ,
rav[m! smre hTva -taR Tva Aixgim:yit. 6£33£31
30, 31. shriiH= a good fortune; shokaghnii= which will bring sorrow to an end; bhajati= will adore; tvaam= you; bhayam= a fear ; aagatam= has come; raakshhasaam= for demons; raamaH= Rama; bhartaa= your husband; kamala patraakshhaH= the lotus eyed; avajitya= winnable by mastery; vaasavaH iva= like Indra the god of celestials; jitakrodhaH= who has overcome his anger; achintya paraakramaH= having unimaginable strength; hatvaa= having killed; tam= that; raavaNam= RavaNa; samare= in battle; adhigamishhyati= will acquire; tvaa= you.
“A good fortune, which will bring your sorrow to an end, awaits you. A peril has arrived for demons. The lotus eyed Rama, your husband, who has overcome his anger but having an unimaginable strength will kill Ravana in battle and win you back”
iv³im:yit r]hœsu -taR te sh lúm[> ,
ywa zÇu;u zÇu¹ae iv:[una sh vasv> . 6£33£32
32. tebhartaa= your consort; sahalakshhmanaNaH= along with Lakshmana, vikramishhyati= will show his strength; rakshhassu= over the demons; yathaa vaasavaH= like Indra the god of celestials; vishhNunaa saha= along with Vishnu, the lord of preservation; shatrughnaH= who annihilates the enemies; (showing his strength over); shatrushhu= the adversaries.
“Your consort along with Lakshmana will show his valor against the demons, like Indra the lord of celestials along with Vishnu the lord of preservation, the annihilator of enemies exhibited his strength over his adversaries.”
AagtSy ih ramSy i]àm! ANk gtam! stIm!,
Ahm! Ôúyaim isÏ AwaRm! Tvam! zÇaE ivinpaitte. 6£33£33
33. kshhipram= very soon; aham= I; drakshhyaami= shall see; tvaam=you; aN^kaagataam satiim= mounted on the lap; tasya= of Rama; aagatasya= (really) arrived; siddhaarthaam= your object of his coming being fulfilled; shatrou= and the enemy; vinipaatite= fallen.
“Very soon, I shall see you, mounted on the lap of Rama who actually arrived, your object of his coming being fulfilled and the enemy fallen.”
AïU{y! AanNdjain Tvm! vtRiy:yis zae-ne,
smagMy pir:va tSy %ris mha %rs> . 6£33£34
34. jaanakii= O, Seetha! Vartayishhyasi= you will roll on; asraaNi= tears; aanandajaani= born out of joy; urasi= on the bosom; tasya= of that Rama; mahorasaH= the broad chested; samaagamya= reunited with you; parishhvaktaa= holding you clasped to his breast.
“O, Seetha! You will shed tears of joy on the bosom of that broad-chested Rama, re- united with you and holding you clasped to his breast.”
Aicran! maeúyte sIte deiv te j"nm! gtam!,
x&tam! @tam! bøn! masan! ve[Im! ramae mha bl> . 6£33£35
35. achiraan= before long; devi= O, divine; siite= Seetha! MahaabalaH= that mighty; raamaH= Rama; mokshhyate= will loosen; ekaam= veNiim= the single plait; gataam= which has reached past; te jaghanam = your hips; dhR^itaam= which you have worn; bahuun= these many; maasaan= months.
“Before long, O divine Seetha, that mighty Rama will loosen the one single plait which has reached past your hips, which you have worn these many months.”
tSy †òœva muom! deiv pU[R cNÔm! #v %idtm!,
maeúyse zaekjm! vair inmaeRkm! #v pÚgI. 6£33£36
36. devii= O, queen! DR^ishhTvaa= seeing; tasya= his; mukham= face; uditam puurNachandram iva= looking like a rising full moon; mokshhyase= you will renounce; vaari= your tears; shokajam= born of grief; pannagii iva= like a female snake; nirmokam= (casts off) its slough.
“O, Queen! Seeing his face, looking like a rising moon, you will renounce your tears born of grief, like a female snake casts off its slough.”
rav[m! smre hTva nicradœ @v mEiwil,
Tvya sm¢m! iàyya suo AhaeR lPSyte suom!. 6£33£37
37. maithili= O, Seetha! hatvaa= having killed; raavanaam= Ravana; samare= in combat; nachiraadeva= within no time; sukhaarhaH= Rama, who deserves felicity); lapsyate= will enjoy happiness; samagraH= in the company; priyaayaa= of his beloved; tvayaa= namely yourself.
“O, Seetha! Having killed Ravana in combat within no time, Rama (who deserves facility); will enjoy happiness in the company of the beloved, namely yourself.”
smagta Tvm! rame[ maeid:yis mhaTmna,
suv;eR[ smayua ywa sSyen meidnI. 6£33£38
38. sabhaajitaa= acclaimed; mahaatmenaa= by the high soled; raameNa= Rama; tvam= you; modishhyasi= will be delighted; medinii yathaa= as the earth; sasyena samaayukta= endowed with crops; suvarshheNa= after the onset of good rains.
Acclaimed by the high soled Rama, you will be so happy as how the earth, endowed with crops, feels after the onset of good rains.”
igir vrm! Ai-tae AnuvtRmanae,
hy #v m{flm! Aazu y> kraeit,
tm! #h zr[m! A_yupeih deiv
idvs krm! à-vae ýym! àjanam! 6£33£39
39. devi= O, qeen! abhyupaiH= seek; sharaNam= refuge; iha= now; tam= with him; divasakaram= (that) sun; yaH= which; vivartamaanaH= rolls; girivaram abhitaH= towards Meru, the highest mountain; hayaH iva= like a horse; karoti= which makes; maN^Dalam= a round; aashu= rapidly; ayam= he; prabhavaH hi= is indeed the source; prajaanaam= of all creatures.
“O, queen! Seek refuge now with him - the sun that rolls towards Meru the highest mountain, like a horse that makes its round rapidly. That sun is indeed the source of all creatures.”
#Tya;eR ïImÔamay[e AaidkaVye yuÏka{fe Çyiô<z> sgR
Thus completes 33rd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
© August 2004, K. M. K. Murthy