03.262
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
mārīcastvatha sambhrānto dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇamāgatam। pūjayāmāsa satkāraiḥ phalamūlādibhistathā ॥03-262-1॥
But then, Mārīca, startled upon seeing Rāvaṇa arrive, received him with proper courtesies and offered him fruits, roots, and similar items. (03-262-1)
viśrāntaṃ ca enam āsīnam anvāsīnaḥ sa rākṣasaḥ। uvāca praśritaṃ vākyaṃ vākyajñaḥ vākyakovidam ॥03-262-2॥
The rākṣasa, after he had seen him rested and seated and had seated himself close by, addressed respectful words to the one skilled and expert in speech. (03-262-2)
na te prakṛtim ānvarṇaḥ kaccit kṣemaṃ pure tava। kaccit prakṛtayaḥ sarvā bhajante tvāṃ yathā purā ॥03-262-3॥
Is your minister not true to his nature? Is everything well in your city? Do all the subjects serve you as before? (03-262-3)
kim ihāgamane cāpi kāryaṃ te rākṣaseśvara। kṛtam ity eva tad viddhi yady api syāt suduṣkaram ॥03-262-4॥
O lord of the rākṣasas, whatever task there is here for your coming, know that it is already done, even if it might be very difficult. (03-262-4)
śaśaṁsa rāvaṇas tasmai tat sarvaṁ rāma-ceṣṭitam. mārīcas tv abravīc chrutvā samāsenaiva rāvaṇam ॥03-262-5॥
Rāvaṇa told him everything about Rāma’s actions. Mārīca, after hearing it, spoke to Rāvaṇa only briefly. (03-262-5)
alaṃ te rāmam-āsādya vīryajño hy-asmi tasya vai। bāṇavegaṃ hi kas tasya śaktaḥ soḍhuṃ mahātmanaḥ ॥03-262-6॥
Enough, having approached Rāma; I truly know his strength. For indeed, who can withstand the force of that great-souled one's arrows? (03-262-6)
pravrajyāyāṁ hi me hetuḥ sa eva puruṣarṣabhaḥ। vināśamukhametat te kenākhyātaṁ durātmanā॥03-262-7॥
Indeed, my reason for renunciation is he alone, O bull among men. By whom was this mouth of destruction declared to you, by the evil-minded? (03-262-7)
tam uvācātha sakrodho rāvaṇaḥ paribhartsayan। akurvato'smad-vacanaṃ syān mṛtyur api te dhruvam॥03-262-8॥
Then Rāvaṇa, rebuking him angrily, said: "If you do not obey my command, death is certainly inevitable for you." (03-262-8)
mārīcaś cintayāmāsa viśiṣṭān maraṇaṃ varam। avaśyaṃ maraṇe prāpte kariṣyāmy asya yan matam ॥03-262-9॥
Mārīca thought, 'Death is better than the superior option. Therefore, since death is certain, I will do whatever is his wish.' (03-262-9)
tatas taṃ pratyuvācātha mārīco rākṣaseśvaram। kiṃ te sāhyaṃ mayā kāryaṃ kariṣyāmy avaśo'pi tat॥03-262-10॥
Then Mārīca replied to the lord of the rākṣasas: "Whatever help you desire from me, I shall do that, even though I am powerless." (03-262-10)
tam abravīd daśagrīvaḥ gaccha sītāṃ pralobhaya। ratnaśṛṅgo mṛgo bhūtvā ratnacitratanūruhaḥ ॥03-262-11॥
The ten-headed Rāvaṇa said to him, "Go and tempt Sītā by assuming the form of a deer with jeweled horns and a body covered in jeweled markings and fur." (03-262-11)
dhruvaṃ sītā samālakṣya tvāṃ rāmaṃ codayiṣyati। apakrānte ca kākutsthe sītā vaśyā bhaviṣyati॥03-262-12॥
Certainly, Sītā will urge Rāma after carefully observing you. And when Rāma (Kākutstha) has left, Sītā will become submissive. (03-262-12)
tām ādāyāpaneṣyāmi tataḥ sa na bhaviṣyati। bhāryā-viyogād durbuddhiḥ etat sāhyaṃ kuruṣva me ॥03-262-13॥
Taking her away, I will take her. After that, he will not exist. On account of wife-separation, that evil-minded one—give this help for me. (03-262-13)
ityevam-ukto mārīcaḥ kṛtvodakam athātmanāḥ। rāvaṇaṁ purato yāntam anvagacchat suduḥkhitaḥ ॥03-262-14॥
Having been thus addressed, Mārīca—having then performed the water-rite for himself—greatly distressed, followed Rāvaṇa who was going ahead. (03-262-14)
tatas tasyāśramaṃ gatvā rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ। cakratus tattathā sarvam ubhau yat pūrvamantritam॥03-262-15॥
Then, both of them went to the hermitage of Rāma, whose actions are effortless, and carried out everything just as had been previously agreed upon. (03-262-15)
rāvaṇas tu yatir bhūtvā muṇḍaḥ kuṇḍī tridaṇḍa-dhṛk। mṛgaś ca bhūtvā mārīcas taṃ deśam upajagmatūḥ ॥03-262-16॥
But Rāvaṇa, having become an ascetic—shaven-headed, carrying a water-pot, and holding the triple staff—and Mārīca, having become a deer, both approached that place. (03-262-16)
darśayāmāsa vaidehīṃ mārīco mṛgarūpadhṛk। codayāmāsa tasyārthe sā rāmaṃ vidhicoditā॥03-262-17॥
Mārīca, taking the form of a deer, showed himself to Sītā. Urged by fate, she pressed Rāma to seek it for her. (03-262-17)
rāmas tasyāḥ priyaṃ kurvan dhanur ādāya satvaraḥ। rakṣārthe lakṣmaṇaṃ nyasya prayayau mṛga-lipsayā ॥03-262-18॥
Rāma, swiftly doing what was pleasing to her, took up his bow, left Lakṣmaṇa behind for her protection, and set off with the desire to capture the deer. (03-262-18)
sa dhanvī baddhatūṇīraḥ khaḍgagodhāṅgulitravān| anvadhāvan mṛgaṃ rāmo rudras tārāmṛgaṃ yathā ॥03-262-19॥
He, carrying bow, having his quiver fastened, and equipped with sword, arm-guard, and finger-protector, Rāma chased the deer just as Rudra once chased Tārā the deer. (03-262-19)
so'ntarhitaḥ punas tasya darśanaṃ rākṣaso vrajan। cakarṣa mahad adhvānaṃ rāmas taṃ bubudhe tataḥ॥03-262-20॥
He, having become invisible, the demon again going to remain in his sight traversed a great distance; then Rama perceived him. (03-262-20)
niśācaraṃ viditvā taṃ rāghavaḥ pratibhānavān। amoghaṃ śaram ādāya jaghāna mṛgarūpiṇam॥03-262-21॥
Raghava, knowing him to be a demon in the guise of a deer, and being intelligent, took up an unfailing arrow and killed him. (03-262-21)
sa rāma-bāṇa-abhihataḥ kṛtvā rāma-svaraṃ tadā। hā site lakṣmaṇeti evaṃ cukrośa ārta-svareṇa ha ॥03-262-22॥
Struck by Rāma's arrow, he then imitated Rāma's voice and cried out in distress, 'Alas, O Sītā, O Lakṣmaṇa!' (03-262-22)
śuśrāva tasya vaidehī tatastāṁ karuṇāṁ giram। sā prādravadyataḥ śabda-stāmuvācātha lakṣmaṇaḥ ॥03-262-23॥
Vaidehi heard his pitiable voice, and then she ran toward where the sound came from; then Lakshmana spoke to her. (03-262-23)
alaṃ te śaṅkayā bhīru ko rāmaṃ viṣahiṣyati। muhūrtād drakṣyase rāmam āgataṃ taṃ śucismite॥03-262-24॥
Stop worrying, O timid one; who can overcome Rama? In a moment, O pure-smiling one, you will see Rama himself coming. (03-262-24)
ity uktvā sā prarudatī paryaśaṅkata devaram। hatā vai strī-svabhāvena śuddha-cāritra-bhūṣaṇam॥03-262-25॥
Having thus spoken, she wept and was filled with suspicion toward her husband's younger brother. Though her ornament was pure character, she was undone by the nature of woman. (03-262-25)
sā taṃ paruṣam ārabdhā vaktum sādhvī pativratā। naiṣa kālo bhaven mūḍha yaṃ tvaṃ prārthayase hṛdā॥03-262-26॥
She, the virtuous and devoted wife, was about to speak harsh words to him, but said, "This is not the time, O deluded one, for whom you long in your heart." (03-262-26)
apy ahaṃ śastram ādāya hanyām ātmānam ātmanā। pateyaṃ giriśṛṅgād vā viśeyaṃ vā hutāśanam॥03-262-27॥
Even I might take up a weapon and kill myself, or throw myself from a mountain peak, or enter the fire. (03-262-27)
rāmaṃ bhartāram utsṛjya na tv ahaṃ tvāṃ kathaṃcana। nihīnam upatiṣṭheyaṃ śārdūlī kroṣṭukaṃ yathā॥03-262-28॥
Having given up Rāma, my husband, never would I attend upon you who are inferior—just as a tigress would not serve a jackal. (03-262-28)
etādṛśaṃ vacaḥ śrutvā lakṣmaṇaḥ priyarāghavaḥ। pidhāya karṇau sadvṛttaḥ prasthito yena rāghavaḥ॥ sa rāmasya padaṃ gṛhya prasasāra dhanurdharaḥ॥03-262-29॥
Having heard such speech, Lakṣmaṇa, the dear Rāghava, displaying good conduct by closing both his ears, set out in the direction where Rāma had gone. He, the bow-bearing one, taking the path of Rāma, advanced. (03-262-29)
etasminn-antare rakṣo rāvaṇaḥ pratyadṛśyata। abhavyo bhavyarūpeṇa bhasmacchanna ivānalaḥ॥ yativiṣa-praticchanno jihīrṣus tāmaninditām॥03-262-30॥
Meanwhile, the demon Rāvaṇa, evil at heart but appearing auspicious, appeared like fire hidden under ashes, disguised as an ascetic and intent on abducting the blameless Sītā. (03-262-30)
sā tam ākṣya samprāptaṃ dharmajñā janakātmajā. nimantrayām āsa tadā phala-mūla-aśana-ādibhiḥ ॥03-262-31॥
Seeing him arrive, the righteous daughter of Janaka then invited him with offerings of fruits, roots, and similar foods. (03-262-31)
avamanya sa tatsarvaṃ svarūpaṃ pratipadya ca। sāntvayāmāsa vaidehīmiti rākṣasapuṅgavaḥ ॥03-262-32॥
Having disregarded all that, and having assumed his own form, the foremost of the Rākṣasas thus conciliated Vaidehī. (03-262-32)
sīte rākṣasarājo'haṃ rāvaṇo nāma viśrutaḥ। mama laṅkā purī nāmnā ramyā pāre mahodadheḥ॥03-262-33॥
O Sītā, I am Rāvaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas, renowned by name. My pleasant city, Laṅkā by name, stands across the great ocean. (03-262-33)
tatra tvaṃ varanārīṣu śobhiṣyasi mayā saha। bhāryā me bhava suśroṇi tāpasaṃ tyaja rāghavam॥03-262-34॥
There, you will shine among excellent women together with me. Become my wife, O beautiful-hipped lady, and abandon the ascetic Rāghava. (03-262-34)
evam-ādīni vākyāni śrutvā sītātha jānakī। pidhāya karṇau suśroṇī maivam-ity abravīd vacaḥ॥03-262-35॥
Hearing such words, then Sītā, Jānakī, with beautiful hips, covered her ears and said, "Not so." (03-262-35)
prapateddyauḥ sanakṣatrā pṛthivī śakalībhavet| śaityamagniriyānnāhaṃ tyajeyaṃ raghunandanam ॥03-262-36॥
Even if the starry sky should fall, the earth were to be shattered, or fire turned cold, I would never abandon Raghunandana (Rama). (03-262-36)
kathaṁ hi bhinnakaraṭaṁ padminaṁ vanagocarām। upasthāya mahānāgaṁ kareṇuḥ sūkareṁ spṛśet ॥03-262-37॥
How indeed could a female elephant, dwelling in the lotus pond and moving about the forest with a broken trunk, upon encountering the great elephant, touch a boar? (03-262-37)
kathaṁ hi pītvā mādhvīkaṁ pītvā ca madhumādhavīm। lobhaṁ sauvīrake kuryānnārī kāciditi smare ॥03-262-38॥
How indeed, after drinking mādhvika and also sweet mādhavī wine, would any woman feel greed for sauvīraka? Keep this in mind. (03-262-38)
iti sā taṃ samābhāṣya praviveśāśramaṃ punaḥ. tām anudrutya suśroṇīṃ rāvaṇaḥ pratyaṣedhayat ॥03-262-39॥
Thus, having spoken to him, she entered her hermitage again; Rāvaṇa, having followed the fair-hipped woman, restrained her. (03-262-39)
bhartsayitvā tu rūkṣeṇa svareṇa gatacetanām। mūrdhajeṣu nijagrāha khamupācakrame tataḥ॥03-262-40॥
But after rebuking her harshly with his voice, and while she had lost consciousness, he seized her by the hair and then ascended into the sky. (03-262-40)
tāṃ dadarśa tadā gṛdhro jaṭāyur girigocharaḥ। rudatīṃ rāma rāmeti hriyamāṇāṃ tapasvinīm ॥03-262-41॥
Then Jatayu, the vulture who moves among mountains, saw her—the ascetic lady—being carried away, crying 'Rama, Rama'. (03-262-41)
