03.263
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
सखा दशरथस्यासीज्जटायुररुणात्मजः। गृध्रराजो महावीर्यः सम्पातिर्यस्य सोदरः ॥०३-२६३-१॥
Jaṭāyu, the son of Aruṇa, a friend of Daśaratha, the great, mighty king of vultures, whose brother was Sampāti. (03-263-1)
स ददर्श तदा सीतां रावणाङ्कगतां स्नुषाम्। क्रोधादभ्यद्रवत्पक्षी रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम् ॥०३-२६३-२॥
Then he saw Sītā, his daughter-in-law, sitting on Rāvaṇa's lap. Angered, the bird rushed at Rāvaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas. (03-263-2)
अथैनमब्रवीद्गृध्रो मुञ्च मुञ्चेति मैथिलीम्। ध्रियमाणे मयि कथं हरिष्यसि निशाचर ॥ न हि मे मोक्ष्यसे जीवन्यदि नोत्सृजसे वधूम् ॥०३-२६३-३॥
Then the vulture said to him, "Release! Release Maithilī!" While I am holding her, how will you take her away, night-wanderer? Indeed, you will not escape from me alive if you do not let go of the bride. (03-263-3)
उक्त्वैवं राक्षसेन्द्रं तं चकर्त नखरैर्भृशम्। पक्षतुण्डप्रहारैश्च बहुशो जर्जरीकृतः ॥ चक्षार रुधिरं भूरि गिरिः प्रस्रवणैरिव ॥०३-२६३-४॥
Having spoken thus to the king of the rakṣasas, he violently cut him with his claws, and, repeatedly bruised by blows of wing and beak, he shed much blood, like a mountain gushing with streams. (03-263-4)
स वध्यमानो गृध्रेण रामप्रियहितैषिणा। खड्गमादाय चिच्छेद भुजौ तस्य पतत्रिणः ॥०३-२६३-५॥
While being attacked by the vulture who wished for Rāma's welfare, he took up his sword and cut off the bird's arms. (03-263-5)
निहत्य गृध्रराजं स छिन्नाभ्रशिखरोपमम्। ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे सीतां गृहीत्वाङ्केन राक्षसः ॥०३-२६३-६॥
The Rakshasa, having slain the king of vultures, ascended upwards with Sītā on his lap, resembling the peak of a sundered cloud. (03-263-6)
यत्र यत्र तु वैदेही पश्यत्याश्रममण्डलम्। सरो वा सरितं वापि तत्र मुञ्चति भूषणम् ॥०३-२६३-७॥
Wherever Sītā sees a hermitage precinct, a lake, or a river, there she casts off her ornaments. (03-263-7)
सा ददर्श गिरिप्रस्थे पञ्च वानरपुङ्गवान्। तत्र वासो महद्दिव्यमुत्ससर्ज मनस्विनी ॥०३-२६३-८॥
She saw five foremost monkeys on the mountain slope. There, the high-minded woman gave up her great divine garment. (03-263-8)
तत्तेषां वानरेन्द्राणां पपात पवनोद्धुतम्। मध्ये सुपीतं पञ्चानां विद्युन्मेघान्तरे यथा ॥०३-२६३-९॥
That (object), belonging to those lordly monkeys, fell—lifted by the wind—amidst the five, shining yellow, just as (lightning) in the midst between clouds and lightning. (03-263-9)
एवं हृतायां वैदेह्यां रामो हत्वा महामृगम्। निवृत्तो ददृशे धीमान्भ्रातरं लक्ष्मणं तदा ॥०३-२६३-१०॥
Thus, when Vaidehī was taken away, Rāma, after slaying the great deer and returning, then saw his brother Lakṣmaṇa. (03-263-10)
कथमुत्सृज्य वैदेहीं वने राक्षससेविते। इत्येवं भ्रातरं दृष्ट्वा प्राप्तोऽसीति व्यगर्हयत् ॥०३-२६३-११॥
Seeing his brother, he censured him, saying, "How could you have come, having abandoned Vaidehī in the forest haunted by Rākṣasas?" (03-263-11)
मृगरूपधरेणाथ रक्षसा सोऽपकर्षणम्। भ्रातुरागमनं चैव चिन्तयन्पर्यतप्यत ॥०३-२६३-१२॥
Then, being tormented, he thought about the abduction by the demon who took the form of a deer, and also about the arrival of his brother. (03-263-12)
गर्हयन्नेव रामस्तु त्वरितस्तं समासदत्। अपि जीवति वैदेही नेति पश्यामि लक्ष्मण ॥०३-२६३-१३॥
Rebuking himself, but hastily, Rāma approached him. I look, O Lakṣmaṇa—does Vaidehī (Sītā) still live or not? (03-263-13)
तस्य तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ सीताया लक्ष्मणो वचः। यदुक्तवत्यसदृशं वैदेही पश्चिमं वचः ॥०३-२६३-१४॥
Lakṣmaṇa conveyed to him all the words of Sītā—those last, unworthy words that Vaidehī had spoken. (03-263-14)
दह्यमानेन तु हृदा रामोऽभ्यपतदाश्रमम्। स ददर्श तदा गृध्रं निहतं पर्वतोपमम् ॥०३-२६३-१५॥
But with his heart burning with grief, Rāma rushed to the hermitage; there he saw the vulture, slain and resembling a mountain. (03-263-15)
राक्षसं शङ्कमानस्तु विकृष्य बलवद्धनुः। अभ्यधावत काकुत्स्थस्ततस्तं सहलक्ष्मणः ॥०३-२६३-१६॥
But suspecting the demon, Kākutstha (Rāma), together with Lakṣmaṇa, then rushed toward him, drawing his strong bow. (03-263-16)
स तावुवाच तेजस्वी सहितौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। गृध्रराजोऽस्मि भद्रं वां सखा दशरथस्य ह ॥०३-२६३-१७॥
The radiant king of vultures spoke to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, who were together: "I am the king of vultures—well-being to you both—I am indeed the friend of Daśaratha." (03-263-17)
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सङ्गृह्य धनुषी शुभे। कोऽयं पितरमस्माकं नाम्नाहेत्यूचतुश्च तौ ॥०३-२६३-१८॥
Having heard those words of his, and taking up their splendid bows, the two said: "Who is this, our father, by name, O?" (03-263-18)
ततो ददृशतुस्तौ तं छिन्नपक्षद्वयं तथा। तयोः शशंस गृध्रस्तु सीतार्थे रावणाद्वधम् ॥०३-२६३-१९॥
Then those two both saw him lying there with both wings cut, and the vulture told them about the killing committed by Ravana for Sita's sake. (03-263-19)
अपृच्छद्राघवो गृध्रं रावणः कां दिशं गतः। तस्य गृध्रः शिरःकम्पैराचचक्षे ममार च ॥०३-२६३-२०॥
Rāghava asked the vulture, "Which direction did Rāvaṇa go?" The vulture indicated it with head movements and died. (03-263-20)
दक्षिणामिति काकुत्स्थो विदित्वास्य तदिङ्गितम्। संस्कारं लम्भयामास सखायं पूजयन्पितुः ॥०३-२६३-२१॥
Kākutstha (Rāma), understanding his intention regarding the fee, arranged the ceremony for his friend, honoring his father's wishes. (03-263-21)
ततो दृष्ट्वाश्रमपदं व्यपविद्धबृसीघटम्। विध्वस्तकलशं शून्यं गोमायुबलसेवितम् ॥०३-२६३-२२॥
Then, seeing the hermitage—the mats and pots scattered, the water jars broken, deserted and frequented by bands of jackals—(03-263-22)
दुःखशोकसमाविष्टौ वैदेहीहरणार्दितौ। जग्मतुर्दण्डकारण्यं दक्षिणेन परन्तपौ ॥०३-२६३-२३॥
Overcome with pain and sorrow, and distressed by the abduction of Vaidehī, the two heroes took the southern route to the Daṇḍaka forest. (03-263-23)
वने महति तस्मिंस्तु रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। ददर्श मृगयूथानि द्रवमाणानि सर्वशः ॥ शब्दं च घोरं सत्त्वानां दावाग्नेरिव वर्धतः ॥०३-२६३-२४॥
But Rama, together with Saumitri (Lakshmana), saw herds of deer fleeing everywhere in that great forest, and also heard the terrible noise of creatures growing like that of a forest fire. (03-263-24)
अपश्येतां मुहूर्ताच्च कबन्धं घोरदर्शनम्। मेघपर्वतसङ्काशं शालस्कन्धं महाभुजम् ॥ उरोगतविशालाक्षं महोदरमहामुखम् ॥०३-२६३-२५॥
After a moment, they saw Kabandha, terrifying to behold, resembling a cloud-covered mountain, having shoulders like a śāla tree, with mighty arms, large eyes set in his chest, and a huge belly and mouth. (03-263-25)
यदृच्छयाथ तद्रक्षः करे जग्राह लक्ष्मणम्। विषादमगमत्सद्यः सौमित्रिरथ भारत ॥०३-२६३-२६॥
Then, by chance, that demon seized Lakṣmaṇa with his hand. Instantly, O Bhārata, Sumitrā's son was overcome with grief. (03-263-26)
स राममभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य कृष्यते येन तन्मुखम्। विषण्णश्चाब्रवीद्रामं पश्यावस्थामिमां मम ॥०३-२६३-२७॥
He, gazing at Rāma, whose face was being drawn (towards him), and being distressed, said to Rāma: "Behold this condition of mine." (03-263-27)
हरणं चैव वैदेह्या मम चायमुपप्लवः। राज्यभ्रंशश्च भवतस्तातस्य मरणं तथा ॥०३-२६३-२८॥
There is the abduction of Vaidehī, and this calamity of mine, as well as the loss of the kingdom and your father’s death. (03-263-28)
नाहं त्वां सह वैदेह्या समेतं कोसलागतम्। द्रक्ष्यामि पृथिवीराज्ये पितृपैतामहे स्थितम् ॥०३-२६३-२९॥
I will not see you, together with Vaidehī, having returned to Kośala, established in the ancestral kingdom of the earth. (03-263-29)
द्रक्ष्यन्त्यार्यस्य धन्या ये कुशलाजशमीलवैः। अभिषिक्तस्य वदनं सोमं साभ्रलवं यथा ॥०३-२६३-३०॥
Those fortunate ones who, with blades of kuśa, rice, and śamī grass, will see the noble one's face, anointed and shining like the moon with a drop resembling a cloud, are truly blessed. (03-263-30)
एवं बहुविधं धीमान्विललाप स लक्ष्मणः। तमुवाचाथ काकुत्स्थः सम्भ्रमेष्वप्यसम्भ्रमः ॥०३-२६३-३१॥
Thus, Lakṣmaṇa, the wise one, lamented in many ways; then, the descendant of Kakutstha, who remained unperturbed even in times of confusion, spoke to him. (03-263-31)
मा विषीद नरव्याघ्र नैष कश्चिन्मयि स्थिते। छिन्ध्यस्य दक्षिणं बाहुं छिन्नः सव्यो मया भुजः ॥०३-२६३-३२॥
Do not lose heart, O tiger among men; while I am here, no one (needs to fear). Cut off his right arm—his left arm has already been severed by me. (03-263-32)
इत्येवं वदता तस्य भुजो रामेण पातितः। खड्गेन भृशतीक्ष्णेन निकृत्तस्तिलकाण्डवत् ॥०३-२६३-३३॥
Thus, while he was saying this, his arm was cut off by Rāma with a very sharp sword, severed like a stalk of sesame. (03-263-33)
ततोऽस्य दक्षिणं बाहुं खड्गेनाजघ्निवान्बली। सौमित्रिरपि सम्प्रेक्ष्य भ्रातरं राघवं स्थितम् ॥०३-२६३-३४॥
Then the strong one struck his right arm with a sword. Saumitri, too, upon seeing his brother Rāghava standing. (03-263-34)
पुनरभ्याहनत्पार्श्वे तद्रक्षो लक्ष्मणो भृशम्। गतासुरपतद्भूमौ कबन्धः सुमहांस्ततः ॥०३-२६३-३५॥
Lakṣmaṇa again struck that demon violently at the side. Then the very great Kabandha, his life departed, fell to the ground. (03-263-35)
तस्य देहाद्विनिःसृत्य पुरुषो दिव्यदर्शनः। ददृशे दिवमास्थाय दिवि सूर्य इव ज्वलन् ॥०३-२६३-३६॥
After departing from his body, a person of divine appearance ascended to the sky and appeared there, shining like the sun. (03-263-36)
पप्रच्छ रामस्तं वाग्मी कस्त्वं प्रब्रूहि पृच्छतः। कामया किमिदं चित्रमाश्चर्यं प्रतिभाति मे ॥०३-२६३-३७॥
Eloquent Rama asked him: "Who are you? Tell (me), who am asking. Through desire, what is this wonderful marvel that appears to me?" (03-263-37)
तस्याचचक्षे गन्धर्वो विश्वावसुरहं नृप। प्राप्तो ब्रह्मानुशापेन योनिं राक्षससेविताम् ॥०३-२६३-३८॥
O king, the Gandharva Viśvāvasu spoke to him: “I have, through Brahmā’s curse, attained a birth among those frequented by rāksasas.” (03-263-38)
रावणेन हृता सीता राज्ञा लङ्कानिवासिना। सुग्रीवमभिगच्छस्व स ते साह्यं करिष्यति ॥०३-२६३-३९॥
Sītā was carried off by Rāvaṇa, the king residing in Laṅkā. You should go to Sugrīva; he will help you. (03-263-39)
एषा पम्पा शिवजला हंसकारण्डवायुता। ऋश्यमूकस्य शैलस्य संनिकर्षे तटाकिनी ॥०३-२६३-४०॥
This is the lake Pampa, full of auspicious water and abounding with swans and waterfowls, situated near the mountain Ṛśyamūka. (03-263-40)
संवसत्यत्र सुग्रीवश्चतुर्भिः सचिवैः सह। भ्राता वानरराजस्य वालिनो हेममालिनः ॥०३-२६३-४१॥
Here resides Sugrīva, along with four ministers, the brother of the king of the monkeys, Vāli, who is adorned with a golden garland. (03-263-41)
एतावच्छक्यमस्माभिर्वक्तुं द्रष्टासि जानकीम्। ध्रुवं वानरराजस्य विदितो रावणालयः ॥०३-२६३-४२॥
This is as much as we can say: you will see Jānaki (Sītā). Surely, the king of monkeys knows where Rāvaṇa's abode is. (03-263-42)
इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हितो दिव्यः पुरुषः स महाप्रभः। विस्मयं जग्मतुश्चोभौ तौ वीरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥०३-२६३-४३॥
After speaking thus, that divine and greatly radiant man vanished. Both heroes, Rama and Lakshmana, were filled with wonder. (03-263-43)
