03.264
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said;
tato’vidūre nalinīṃ prabhūtakamalotpalām। sītāharaṇaduḥkhārtaḥ pampāṃ rāmaḥ samāsadat॥03-264-1॥
Then, Rama, afflicted by the sorrow of Sita's abduction, approached the Pampa, a lotus-pond not far away, abundant with lotuses and utpalas. (03-264-1)
mārutena suśītena sukhena amṛtagandhinā। sevya mānaḥ vane tasmiñ jagāma manasā priyām॥03-264-2॥
Enjoyed by the very cool, pleasant, nectar-scented breeze in that forest, he went to his beloved in his mind. (03-264-2)
vilalāpa sa rājendras tatra kāntām anusmaran। kāma-bāṇābhi-santaptaḥ saumitris tam athābravīt ॥03-264-3॥
The king, lamenting there as he remembered his beloved and was tormented by the arrows of desire, was then addressed by Saumitri. (03-264-3)
na tvām evaṃvidho bhāvaḥ spraṣṭum arhati mānada। ātmavantam iva vyādhiḥ puruṣaṃ vṛddhaśīlinam ॥03-264-4॥
Such an emotion is not fit to affect you, O bestower of honor; just as disease cannot touch a self-possessed man of mature character. (03-264-4)
pravṛttir-upalabdhā te vaidehyā rāvaṇasya ca। tāṁ tvaṁ puruṣakāreṇa buddhyā caiva-upapādaya ॥03-264-5॥
You have obtained information about Sītā and Rāvaṇa; now, accomplish the task concerning her by your effort and intelligence. (03-264-5)
abhigacchāva sugrīvaṃ śailasthaṃ haripuṅgavam। mayi śiṣye ca bhṛtye ca sahāye ca samāśvasa ॥03-264-6॥
Let us go to Sugrīva, the leader of monkeys who resides on the mountain. Take heart in me, the pupil, the servant, and the ally. (03-264-6)
evaṁ bahuvidhair vākyair lakṣmaṇena sa rāghavaḥ। uktaḥ prakṛtim āpede kārye ca anantaraḥ abhavat॥03-264-7॥
Thus, being addressed in many ways by Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava regained his natural composure and promptly resumed action. (03-264-7)
niṣevya vāri pampāyās tarpayitvā pitṝn api। pratastatur ubhau vīrau bhrātarau rāma-lakṣmaṇau ॥03-264-8॥
After bathing in the waters of Lake Pampā and offering water to their ancestors, the two heroic brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, set out. (03-264-8)
tā vṛśyamūkam abhyetya bahu-mūla-phalaṃ girim। giry-agre vānarān pañca vīrau dadṛśatus tadā॥03-264-9॥
Then those two heroes, having approached Vṛśyamūka mountain abundant with roots and fruits, saw five monkeys at the summit.
sugrīvaḥ preṣayāmāsa sacivaṃ vānaraṃ tayoḥ। buddhimantaṃ hanūmantaṃ himavantamiva sthitam ॥03-264-10॥
Sugrīva sent Hanuman, the wise minister among the two monkeys, who stood firm like the Himalaya. (03-264-10)
tena sambhāṣya pūrvaṃ tau sugrīvam abhijagmatūḥ. sakhyaṃ vānararājena cakre rāmas tato nṛpa ॥03-264-11॥
Having first spoken with him, those two went to Sugrīva. Then Rāma made a friendship with the king of the monkeys, O king. (03-264-11)
tadvāso darśayāmāsus tasya kārye nivedite. vānarāṇāṃ tu yat sītā hriyamāṇābhy avāsṛjat ॥03-264-12॥
They showed that piece of clothing, which had been submitted as evidence in the investigation, namely, what Sītā threw down to the monkeys as she was being carried away. (03-264-12)
tat-pratyayakaraṃ labdhvā sugrīvaṃ plavagādhipam. pṛthivyāṃ vānaraiśvarye svayaṃ rāmo'bhyaṣecayat ॥03-264-13॥
Having obtained that cause of confidence, Rāma himself anointed Sugrīva, the lord of monkeys, as the sovereign of the monkeys on earth. (03-264-13)
pratijajñe ca kākutsthaḥ samare vālino vadham। sugrīvaś cāpi vaidehyāḥ punarānayanaṁ nṛpa ॥03-264-14॥
And Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, promised to kill Vāli in battle; and Sugrīva also promised to bring back Sītā, O king. (03-264-14)
ity uktvā samayaṁ kṛtvā viśvāsya ca parasparam। abhyetya sarve kiṣkindhāṁ tasthur yuddhābhikāṅkṣiṇaḥ॥03-264-15॥
Having spoken thus, making an agreement and mutually trusting each other, they all approached Kiṣkindhā and stood there eager for battle. (03-264-15)
sugrīvaḥ prāpya kiṣkindhāṃ nanādaughanibhasvanaḥ। nāsya tanmamṛṣe vālī taṃ tārā pratyaṣedhayat ॥03-264-16॥
Sugrīva, upon reaching Kiṣkindhā, gave a loud roar like a torrent; Vālī could not tolerate it, and Tārā tried to restrain him. (03-264-16)
yathā nadati sugrīvo balavān eṣa vānaraḥ। manye ca āśrayavān prāptaḥ na tvaṃ nirgantum arhasi॥03-264-17॥
Just as Sugrīva, this strong monkey, is roaring, I believe he has found support, and you should not go out. (03-264-17)
hemamālī tato vālī tārāṁ tārādhipānānām। provāca vacanaṁ vāgmī tāṁ vānarapatiḥ patiḥ ॥03-264-18॥
Then Vālī, the eloquent lord of monkeys, said these words to Tārā, the wife of the moon-lords, in the presence of Hemamali. (03-264-18)
sarvabhūtarutajñā tvaṁ paśya buddhyā samanvitā। kenāpāśrayavānprāpto mama eṣa bhrātṛgandhikaḥ॥03-264-19॥
O you who understand the speech of all beings, consider with your intellect: by whose support has this one who carries my brother's scent come to me? (03-264-19)
cintayitvā muhūrtaṃ tu tārā tārādhipa-prabhā. patim iti abravīt prājñā śṛṇu sarvaṃ kapīśvara ॥03-264-20॥
But Tara, radiant like the moon and wise, after reflecting for a moment, spoke thus to her husband: "O lord of monkeys, listen to everything." (03-264-20)
hṛtadāro mahāsattvo rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ। tulyāri-mitratāṃ prāptaḥ sugrīveṇa dhanurdharaḥ ॥03-264-21॥
Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, whose wife was taken away and who is of great courage, became one who had enmity and friendship equal (to Sugrīva), being a wielder of the bow. (03-264-21)
bhrātā cāsya mahābāhuḥ saumitriraparājitaḥ। lakṣmaṇo nāma medhāvī sthitaḥ kāryārthasiddhaye॥ 03-264-22॥
His brother, the mighty-armed son of Sumitra—unconquered and intelligent Lakṣmaṇa by name—stands ready for the accomplishment of the purpose. (03-264-22)
maindaś ca dvividaś caiva hanūmāṁś cānilātmajaḥ। jāmbavān ṛkṣarājaś ca sugrīva-sacivāḥ sthitāḥ ॥03-264-23॥
Mainda, Dvivida, Hanuman the Wind-god's son, Jambavan the king of the bears, and Sugriva's ministers stood there. (03-264-23)
sarva ete mahātmānaḥ buddhimantaḥ mahābalāḥ। alaṃ tava vināśāya rāmavīryavyapāśrayāt॥03-264-24॥
All these great-souled, wise, and very strong ones are quite capable of bringing about your destruction, relying on Rāma's strength. (03-264-24)
tasyās tad ākṣipya vaco hitam uktaṃ kapīśvaraḥ। paryaśaṅkata tām īrṣuḥ sugrīvagatamānasām ॥03-264-25॥
After objecting to her beneficial words, the lord of monkeys, jealous and suspecting that her mind was turned toward Sugrīva, doubted her. (03-264-25)
tārāṃ paruṣam uktvā sa nirjagāma guhāmukhāt। sthitaṃ mālyavatō'bhyāśe sugrīvaṃ sō'bhyabhāṣata ॥03-264-26॥
After speaking harsh words to Tara, he came out from the mouth of the cave. There, near Mount Malyavat, he addressed Sugriva. (3-264-26)
asakṛt tvaṁ mayā mūḍha nirjitaḥ jīvitapriyaḥ। mukto jñātir iti jñātvā kā tvarā maraṇe punaḥ॥03-264-27॥
Deluded one, you—so often attached to life—have been subdued by me; knowing that the kinsman is thus released, what urgency is there again for death? (03-264-27)
ity uktaḥ prāha sugrīvaḥ bhrātaraṃ hetumad-vacaḥ। prāptakālam-amitra-ghnaḥ rāmaṃ sambodhayan-niva ॥03-264-28॥
Thus, when addressed, Sugrīva spoke to his brother with well-reasoned words, at the proper time, as though a destroyer of enemies was addressing Rāma. (03-264-28)
hṛtadārasya me rājan hṛtarājyasya ca tvayā। kiṁ nu jīvitasāmarthyam iti viddhi samāgatam ॥03-264-29॥
O king, I, whose wife and kingdom have been taken away by you, what indeed is the value of life for such a one? Know that this (truth) has come (to pass). (03-264-29)
evam uktvā bahuvidhaṁ tataḥ tau saṁnipetatuḥ। samare vāli-sugrīvau śālatāla-śilāyudhau॥03-264-30॥
Having spoken thus in many ways, then the two, Vālin and Sugrīva, both approached in battle, armed with śāla and tāla trees and stones. (03-264-30)
ubhau jaghnatur anyonyam ubhau bhūmau nipetatuḥ। ubhau vavalgatuś citraṃ muṣṭibhiś ca nijaghnatuḥ ॥03-264-31॥
Both attacked each other; both fell to the ground; both leapt in various ways, and they struck one another with their fists. (03-264-31)
ubhau rudhira-saṃsiktau nakha-danta-parikṣatau। śuśubhāte tadā vīrau puṣpitāv iva kiṃśukau॥03-264-32॥
Then both heroes, smeared with blood and scratched by nails and teeth, shone like blossoming kimshuka trees. (03-264-32)
na viśeṣaḥ tayoḥ yuddhe tadā kaścana dṛśyate. sugrīvasya tadā mālāṁ hanūmān kaṇṭhe āsajat ॥03-264-33॥
No distinction in the battle between the two could be seen then. Then Hanūmān placed a garland on Sugrīva's neck. (03-264-33)
sa mālayā tadā vīraḥ śuśubhe kaṇṭhasaktayā। śrīmāniva mahāśailo malayo meghamālayā॥03-264-34॥
Then that hero, with Mālā embracing his neck, shone like the glorious Malaya mountain with its garland of clouds. (03-264-34)
kṛtacihnaṃ tu sugrīvaṃ rāmo dṛṣṭvā mahādhanuḥ। vicakarṣa dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ vālim uddiśya lakṣyavat ॥03-264-35॥
But Rama, after seeing the marked Sugriva, drew his great and best bow, aiming at Vali as if at a target. (03-264-35)
visphārastasya dhanuṣo yantrasyeva tadā babhau। vitatrāsa tadā vālī śareṇābhihato hṛdi ॥03-264-36॥
The stretch of his bow at that moment looked like that of a mechanical device; then Vali, struck in the heart by the arrow, was terrified. (03-264-36)
sa bhinnamarmābhihataḥ vaktrāc choṇitam udvamān dadarśa avasthitaṃ rāmam ārāt saumitriṇā saha ॥03-264-37॥
Struck at his vital points and vomiting blood from his mouth, he saw Rāma standing together with Saumitrī from a distance. (03-264-37)
garhayitvā sa kākutsthaṁ papāta bhuvi mūrcchitaḥ। tārā dadarśa taṁ bhūmau tārāpatim iva cyutam॥03-264-38॥
After reproaching Rāma (Kākutstha), he fell unconscious to the ground. Tārā saw him lying on the earth, resembling her fallen husband. (03-264-38)
hate vālini sugrīvaḥ kiṣkindhāṃ pratyapadyata। tāṃ ca tārāpatimukhīṃ tārāṃ nipatiteśvarām ॥03-264-39॥
When Vāli was slain, Sugrīva took possession of Kiṣkindhā. And Tārā, whose lord had fallen, (was there) with the foremost ladies headed by Tārā. (03-264-39)
rāmas tu caturō māsān pṛṣṭhē mālyavataḥ śubhē। nivāsam akarōd dhīmān sugrīvēṇa abhyupasthitaḥ ॥03-264-40॥
However, Rāma, accompanied by Sugrīva, established his residence for four months at the auspicious place behind Mālyavat. (03-264-40)
rāvaṇo'pi purīṁ gatvā laṅkāṁ kāmabalātkṛtaḥ। sītāṁ niveśayāmāsa bhavane nandanopame॥ aśokavanikābhyāśe tāpasāśramasaṁnibhe॥03-264-41॥
Rāvaṇa, too, after reaching the city of Laṅkā, driven by the force of his desire, settled Sītā in a mansion comparable to Nandana, near the Aśoka grove that resembled an ascetic's hermitage. (03-264-41)
bhartṛsmaraṇatanvaṅgī tāpasīveṣadhāriṇī। upavāsatapaḥśīlā tatra sā pṛthulekṣaṇā ॥ uvāsa duḥkhavasatīḥ phalamūlakṛtāśanā ॥03-264-42॥
She, with her body made thin by remembrance of her husband, clad in the dress of an ascetic, devoted to fasting and penance, there, that large-eyed woman, lived in suffering places, sustaining herself on fruits and roots. (03-264-42)
dideśa rākṣasīstatra rakṣaṇe rākṣasādhipaḥ। prāsāsiśūlaparaśumudgarālātadhāriṇīḥ॥03-264-43॥
The lord of the rākṣasas dispatched rākṣasī demonesses there for guarding, armed with javelins, swords, spears, axes, maces, and bludgeons. (03-264-43)
dv-yakṣīṁ try-akṣīṁ lalāṭākṣīṁ dīrgha-jihvām a-jihvikām। tri-stanīm eka-pādāṁ ca tri-jaṭām eka-locanām॥03-264-44॥
Some had two eyes, some three eyes, some had an eye on their forehead, some had long tongues, others no tongue; some had three breasts, some had only one foot, some had three matted locks, and some had only one eye. (03-264-44)
etāś cānyāś ca dīptākṣyaḥ karabhotkaṭamūrdhajāḥ| parivāryāsate sītāṃ divārātram atandritāḥ ॥03-264-45॥
These and other bright-eyed ones, with faces and hair like elephant trunks, continually surround Sītā, sitting by her day and night without weariness. (03-264-45)
tāstu tām āyatāpāṅgīṃ piśācyo dāruṇasvanāḥ। tarjayanti sadā raudrāḥ paruṣavyañjanākṣarāḥ ॥03-264-46॥
But those piśācīs, fierce and harsh-voiced, always threaten her, the broad-eyed, with rough, harsh-sounding words. (03-264-46)
khādāma pāṭayāma ināṃ tilaśaḥ pravibhajya tām। ye iyaṃ bhartāram asmākam avamanyā iha jīvati॥03-264-47॥
Let us eat her, let us tear her apart piece by piece, having divided her—this woman who lives here despising our husband. (03-264-47)
ityevaṃ paribhartsantīḥ trāsyamānāḥ punaḥ punaḥ। bhartṛśokasamāviṣṭā niḥśvasyedamuvāca tāḥ ॥03-264-48॥
Thus, repeatedly rebuking them while being frightened, and overwhelmed by grief for her husband, she sighed and spoke this to them. (03-264-48)
āryāḥ khādata māṃ śīghraṃ na me lobho'sti jīvite। vinā taṃ puṇḍarīkākṣaṃ nīlakuñcitamūrdhajam ॥03-264-49॥
Noble ones, eat me quickly; I have no desire to live—without him, the lotus-eyed one with dark, curly hair. (03-264-49)
apyevāhaṃ nirāhārā jīvitapriyavarjitā। śoṣayiṣyāmi gātrāṇi vyālī tālagatā yathā॥03-264-50॥
Even I, although without food and having lost all desire for life, shall wither my body away, just like a female serpent that has climbed onto a tala tree. (03-264-50)
na tv anyam abhigaccheyaṁ pumāṁsaṁ rāghavād ṛte। iti jānīta satyaṁ me kriyatāṁ yad anantaram ॥03-264-51॥
But I would not approach any other man except Rāghava; know this to be my truth. Let what is immediate be done. (03-264-51)
tasyās tad vacanaṃ śrutvā rākṣasyas tāḥ kharasvanāḥ। ākhyātuṃ rākṣasendrāya jagmus tat sarvam āditaḥ ॥03-264-52॥
Hearing her words, those rākṣasī women with harsh voices went to the king of the rākṣasas to report everything from the beginning. (03-264-52)
gatāsu tāsu sarvāsu trijaṭā nāma rākṣasī। sāntvayām āsa vaidehīṃ dharmajñā priyavādinī ॥03-264-53॥
Among all the departed ones there, Trijaṭā by name, a rākṣasī, who knew dharma and spoke kind words, consoled Vaidehī (Sītā). (03-264-53)
sīte vakṣyāmi te kiñcid viśvāsaṃ kuru me sakhi। bhayaṃ te vyetu vāmoru śṛṇu cedam vaco mama ॥03-264-54॥
O Sītā, I wish to say something to you; trust me, my friend. Let your fear be dispelled, O slender-thighed one. Listen to this speech of mine. (03-264-54)
avindhyo nāma medhāvī vṛddho rākṣasapuṅgavaḥ। sa rāmasya hitānveṣī tvadarthe hi sa māvadat॥03-264-55॥
Avindhya, the wise and aged chief of the rākṣasas, named as such, who seeks Rāma's welfare, indeed spoke to me for your sake. (03-264-55)
sītā mad-vacanād vācyā samāśvāśya prasādya ca। bhartā te kuśalī rāmo lakṣmaṇānugato balī ॥03-264-56॥
Speak to Sītā on my behalf, comforting and pleasing her, and say: "Your husband Rāma, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, is well and strong." (03-264-56)
sakhyaṃ vānararājena śakrapratimatejasā। kṛtavān rāghavaḥ śrīmāṃs tvadarthe ca samudyataḥ ॥03-264-57॥
Rāma, the illustrious, has made friendship with the king of monkeys whose power equals Indra, and has also risen to action for your sake. (03-264-57)
mā ca te'stu bhayaṃ bhīru rāvaṇāl lokagarhitāt। nalakūbaraśāpena rakṣitā hy asyanindite॥03-264-58॥
Do not have any fear, O timid one, from Rāvaṇa, condemned by the world; by the curse of Nalakūbara, you are indeed protected by him, O blameless one. (03-264-58)
śapto hyeṣa purā pāpo vadhūṃ rambhāṃ parāmṛśan। na śakto vivaśāṃ nārīmupaitumajitendriyaḥ ॥03-264-59॥
For this man, formerly sinful and cursed for touching Rambhā, whose senses are not subdued, is not able to approach a helpless woman. (03-264-59)
kṣiprameṣyati te bhartā sugrīveṇābhirakṣitaḥ। saumitrisahito dhīmāṃstvāṃ ceto mokṣayiṣyati ॥03-264-60॥
Your husband, protected by Sugrīva and accompanied by wise Saumitri, will quickly come to you and set your mind free. (03-264-60)
svapnā hi sumahāghorā dṛṣṭā me'niṣṭadarśanāḥ। vināśāyāsya durbuddheḥ paulastyakulaghātinaḥ ॥03-264-61॥
I have indeed seen very terrible dreams with inauspicious visions, indicating the destruction of this evil-minded destroyer of the Paulastya clan. (03-264-61)
dāruṇo hy eṣa duṣṭātmā kṣudrakarmā niśācaraḥ। svabhāvāc chīladoṣeṇa sarveṣāṃ bhayavardhanaḥ॥03-264-62॥
He is cruel indeed, wicked in soul, a doer of base deeds and a night-wanderer; by nature, through defect of character, he increases the fear of all. (03-264-62)
spardhate sarva-devair yaḥ kālopahata-cetanaḥ। mayā vināśa-liṅgāni svapne dṛṣṭāni tasya vai ॥03-264-63॥
He who, whose mind is overcome by time, competes with all the gods— I saw signs of his destruction in a dream, indeed. (03-264-63)
tailābhiṣikto vikaco majjanpaṅke daśānanaḥ। asakṛtkharayukte tu rathe nṛtyanniva sthitaḥ॥03-264-64॥
The ten-faced one, anointed with oil and disheveled, immersed in mud, repeatedly stood on the chariot yoked with asses, appearing as if dancing. (03-264-64)
kumbhakarṇādayaś ceme nagnāḥ patitamūrdhajāḥ। kṛṣyante dakṣiṇām āśāṃ raktamālyānulepanāḥ॥03-264-65॥
Kumbhakarṇa and others here, naked, with their hair disheveled, are being dragged toward the southern direction, adorned with red garlands and smeared with ointments. (03-264-65)
śvetātapatraḥ soṣṇīṣaḥ śuklamālyavibhūṣaṇaḥ। śvetaparvatamārūḍha eka eva vibhīṣaṇaḥ ॥03-264-66॥
Only Vibhīṣaṇa—under a white umbrella, wearing a turban, adorned with white garlands and ornaments—ascended the white mountain alone. (03-264-66)
sacivāś cāsya catvāraḥ śuklamālyānulepanāḥ। śvetaparvatam ārūḍhā mokṣyante'smān mahābhayāt॥03-264-67॥
His four ministers, adorned with white garlands and ointments, having ascended the white mountain, will save us from great danger. (03-264-67)
rāmasyāstreṇa pṛthivī parikṣiptā sasāgarā. yaśasā pṛthivīṃ kṛtsnāṃ pūrayiṣyati te patiḥ ॥03-264-68॥
Your husband, with his glory, will fill the whole earth; by the weapon of Rāma, the earth together with the oceans has been encompassed. (03-264-68)
asthisañcayam ārūḍhaḥ bhuñjānaḥ madhu-pāyasam। lakṣmaṇaś ca mayā dṛṣṭaḥ nirīkṣan sarvato diśaḥ ॥03-264-69॥
I saw Lakṣmaṇa mounted on a heap of bones, eating honey and rice pudding, and looking about in every direction. (03-264-69)
rudatī rudhirārdraṅgī vyāghreṇa parirakṣitā। asakṛt tvaṃ mayā dṛṣṭā gacchantī diśam uttarām॥03-264-70॥
I have repeatedly seen you, weeping and with limbs moistened with blood, protected by the tiger, going toward the northern direction. (03-264-70)
harṣameṣyasi vaidehi kṣipraṃ bhartṛsamanvitā। rāghaveṇa saha bhrātrā sīte tvamacirādiva ॥03-264-71॥
O Vaidehi, you will soon experience joy, for you will be reunited with your husband; O Sītā, together with Rāghava and his brother, you will very soon.
iti sā mṛgaśāvākṣī tacchrutvā trijaṭāvacaḥ। babhūvāśāvatī bālā punarbhartṛsamāgame ॥03-264-72॥
Thus, the young woman with deer-like eyes, upon hearing Trijaṭā's words, became hopeful once again regarding her reunion with her husband. (03-264-72)
yāvad abhyāgatā raudrāḥ piśācyas tāḥ sudāruṇāḥ। dadṛśus tāṃ trijaṭayā saha āsīnām yathā purā॥03-264-73॥
As soon as those very terrifying demonesses arrived, they saw her seated with Trijaṭā, just as they had in times past. (03-264-73)
