Sundara Kanda · Sarga 24 of 68 · 47 verses
Threats in the Grove
The rakshasis press Sita harder: why does she refuse a life of luxury in the inner palace for the sake of a human, exiled and failed? Sita, weeping, answers that a human woman cannot be a rakshasa’s wife; let them eat her if they like. Poor or kingless, her husband is her master, and she is devoted to him as Suvarchala to the sun, Shachi to Indra, Arundhati to Vasishtha, Rohini to the moon, Lopamudra to Agastya, Sukanya to Cyavana, Savitri to Satyavan, Damayanti to Nala.
Enraged, the rakshasis close in, licking their lips and brandishing axes. Hanuman, silent in the shimshapa tree, hears it all. Sita, wiping her tears, moves to the foot of that very tree. Vinata tells her she has shown enough devotion; let her take Ravana, or be eaten this moment. Vikata, shaking her fist, says no one, not even Indra, can rescue her from here. Chandodari, whirling a great spear, longs to eat her liver, spleen and heart; Praghasa proposes to strangle her and tell the king she died; Ajamukhi wants her cut into equal portions; another guard, also named Shurpanakha, calls for wine and a dance at the shrine of Nikumbhila after the feast. Threatened so, Sita, like a daughter of the gods, loses her courage and weeps.
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ततः सीतां समस्तास्ता राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः । परुषं परुषानर्हामूचुस्तद्वाक्यमप्रियम् ॥ १ ॥
Then all those rakshasis with hideous faces spoke harsh, unpleasant words to Sita, who did not deserve harshness:
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किं त्वमन्तःपुरे सीते सर्वभूतमनोरमे । महार्हशयनोपेते न वासमनुमन्यसे ॥ २ ॥
“Why, Sita, do you not agree to live in the inner palace, delightful to all beings, furnished with costly beds?
मानुषी मानुषस्यैव भार्यात्वं बहु मन्यसे । प्रत्याहर मनो रामान्नैवं जातु भविष्यति ॥ ३ ॥
“A human woman, you think much of being a human’s wife. Take your mind back from Rama; it will never be.
त्रैलोक्यवसुभोक्तारं रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम् । भर्तारमुपसंगम्य विहरस्व यथासुखम् ॥ ४ ॥
“Join Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, who enjoys the wealth of the three worlds, as your husband, and enjoy yourself as you please.
मानुषी मानुषं तं तु राममिच्छसि शोभने । राज्याद् भ्रष्टमसिद्धार्थं विक्लवन्तमनिन्दिते ॥ ५ ॥
“You, a human woman, want that human Rama, lovely one, fallen from his kingdom, his purpose unachieved, helpless, blameless one.”
राक्षसीनां वचः श्रुत्वा सीता पद्मनिभेक्षणा । नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यामिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ६ ॥
Hearing the rakshasis’ words, lotus-eyed Sita, her eyes full of tears, said:
यदिदं लोकविद्विष्टमुदाहरत संगताः । नैतन्मनसि वाक्यं मे किल्बिषं प्रतितिष्ठति ॥ ७ ॥
“These words you have all spoken together, hateful to the world, do not stay in my mind; they are sin.
न मानुषी राक्षसस्य भार्या भवितुमर्हति । कामं खादत मां सर्वा न करिष्यामि वो वचः ॥ ८ ॥
“A human woman cannot be a rakshasa’s wife. Eat me if you like, all of you; I will not do as you say.
दीनो वा राज्यहीनो वा यो मे भर्ता स मे गुरुः । तं नित्यमनुरक्तास्मि यथा सूर्यं सुवर्चला ॥ ९ ॥
“Poor or without a kingdom, my husband is my master. I am always devoted to him, as Suvarchala to the sun,
यथा शची महाभागा शक्रं समुपतिष्ठति । अरुन्धती वसिष्ठं च रोहिणी शशिनं यथा ॥ १० ॥
“as fortunate Shachi waits on Shakra, as Arundhati on Vasishtha and Rohini on the moon,
लोपामुद्रा यथागस्त्यं सुकन्या च्यवनं यथा । सावित्री सत्यवन्तं च कपिलं श्रीमती यथा ॥ ११ ॥
“as Lopamudra on Agastya, Sukanya on Cyavana, Savitri on Satyavan and Shrimati on Kapila,
सौदासं मदयन्तीव केशिनी सगरं यथा । नैषधं दमयन्तीव भैमी पतिमनुव्रता ॥ १२ ॥
“as Madayanti on Saudasa, Keshini on Sagara, as Bhaimi, Damayanti, devoted to her husband, the Naishadha:
तथाहमिक्ष्वाकुवरं रामं पतिमनुव्रता । सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षस्यः क्रोधमूर्च्छिताः । भर्त्सयन्ति स्म परुषैर्वाक्यै रावणचोदिताः ॥ १३ ॥
“so am I devoted to Rama, best of the Ikshvakus, my husband.” Hearing Sita’s words, the rakshasis, swooning with anger, threatened her with harsh words, urged on by Ravana.
अवलीनः स निर्वाक्यो हनुमान् शिंशपाद्रुमे । सीतां संतर्जयन्तीस्ता राक्षसीरशृणोत् कपिः ॥ १४ ॥
Hidden, speechless, in the shimshapa tree, the monkey Hanuman heard those rakshasis threatening Sita.
तामभिक्रम्य संरब्धा वेपमानां समन्ततः । भृशं संलिलिहुर्दीप्तान् प्रलम्बान् दशनच्छदान् ॥ १५ ॥
Advancing furiously on her as she trembled, they licked their long, flaming lips all round,
ऊचुश्च परमक्रुद्धाः प्रगृह्याशु परश्वधान् । नेयमर्हति भर्तारं रावणं राक्षसाधिपम् ॥ १६ ॥
and, in the height of anger, quickly seizing axes, they said: “She does not deserve Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, as her husband.”
सा भर्त्स्यमाना भीमाभी राक्षसीभिर्वरांगना । सा बाष्पमपमार्जन्ती शिंशपां तामुपागमत् ॥ १७ ॥
Threatened so by the terrible rakshasis, the lovely woman, wiping away her tears, went to that shimshapa tree.
ततस्तां शिंशपां सीता राक्षसीभिः समावृता । अभिगम्य विशालाक्षी तस्थौ शोकपरिप्लुता ॥ १८ ॥
Then, coming to that shimshapa, surrounded by rakshasis, large-eyed Sita stood there, drowned in grief.
तां कृशां दीनवदनां मलिनाम्बरवासिनीम् । भर्त्सयाञ्चक्रिरे भीमा राक्षस्यस्ताः समन्ततः ॥ १९ ॥
Her, thin, sad-faced, wearing a soiled garment, the terrible rakshasis threatened from every side.
ततस्तु विनता नाम राक्षसी भीमदर्शना । अब्रवीत् कुपिताकारा कराला निर्णतोदरी ॥ २० ॥
Then a rakshasi named Vinata, terrible to look at, angry in her looks, hideous, with sunken belly, said:
सीते पर्याप्तमेतावद् भर्तुः स्नेहः प्रदर्शितः । सर्वत्रातिकृतं भद्रे व्यसनायोपकल्पते ॥ २१ ॥
“Sita, you have shown enough love for your husband; anything overdone anywhere, good lady, leads to disaster.
परितुष्टास्मि भद्रं ते मानुषस्ते कृतो विधिः । ममापि तु वचः पथ्यं ब्रुवन्त्याः कुरु मैथिलि ॥ २२ ॥
“I am pleased with you; bless you. You have done the human duty. Now do as I say, Maithili; I speak for your good.
रावणं भज भर्तारं भर्तारं सर्वरक्षसाम् । विक्रान्तमापतन्तं च सुरेशमिव वासवम् ॥ २३ ॥
“Take Ravana as your husband, the husband of all the rakshasas, valiant, impetuous like Vasava, lord of the gods,
दक्षिणं त्यागशीलं च सर्वस्य प्रियवादिनम् । मानुषं कृपणं रामं त्यक्त्वा रावणमाश्रय ॥ २४ ॥
“generous, liberal, kind-spoken to all. Leave Rama, a wretched human, and take refuge with Ravana.
दिव्यांगरागा वैदेहि दिव्याभरणभूषिता । अद्यप्रभृति लोकानां सर्वेषामीश्वरी भव ॥ २५ ॥
“With heavenly unguents, Vaidehi, adorned with heavenly ornaments, from today be mistress of all the worlds,
अग्नेः स्वाहा यथा देवी शची वेन्द्रस्य शोभने । किं ते रामेण वैदेहि कृपणेन गतायुषा ॥ २६ ॥
“as Svaha is goddess to Agni, or Shachi to Indra, lovely one. What do you want with Rama, Vaidehi, wretched, his life over?
एतदुक्तं च मे वाक्यं यदि त्वं न करिष्यसि । अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते सर्वास्त्वां भक्षयिष्यामहे वयम् ॥ २७ ॥
“If you do not do what I have said, we will all eat you this very moment.”
अन्या तु विकटा नाम लम्बमानपयोधरा । अब्रवीत् कुपिता सीतां मुष्टिमुद्यम्य तर्जती ॥ २८ ॥
Another, named Vikata, with hanging breasts, angry, threatening Sita with raised fist, said:
बहून्यप्रतिरूपाणि वचनानि सुदुर्मते । अनुक्रोशान्मृदुत्वाच्च सोढानि तव मैथिलि ॥ २९ ॥
“Many unfitting words of yours, evil-minded one, we have borne out of pity and softness, Maithili.
न च नः कुरुषे वाक्यं हितं कालपुरस्कृतम् । आनीतासि समुद्रस्य पारमन्यैर्दुरासदम् ॥ ३० ॥
“And you do not take our advice, which is for your good and suits the time. You have been brought to the far shore of the ocean, which others cannot reach;
रावणान्तःपुरे घोरे प्रविष्टा चासि मैथिलि । रावणस्य गृहे रुद्धा अस्माभिस्त्वभिरक्षिता ॥ ३१ ॥
“you have entered Ravana’s terrible inner palace, Maithili; shut up in Ravana’s house, you are guarded by us.
न त्वां शक्तः परित्रातुमपि साक्षात् पुरंदरः । कुरुष्व हितवादिन्या वचनं मम मैथिलि ॥ ३२ ॥
“Not even Purandara himself could rescue you. Do as I say, Maithili; I speak for your good.
अलमश्रुनिपातेन त्यज शोकमनर्थकम् । भज प्रीतिं प्रहर्षं च त्यजन्ती नित्यदैन्यताम् ॥ ३३ ॥
“Enough of shedding tears; give up this useless grief; take to love and joy and give up this endless dejection.
सीते राक्षसराजेन परिक्रीड यथासुखम् । जानीमहे यथा भीरु स्त्रीणां यौवनमध्रुवम् ॥ ३४ ॥
“Sita, play with the king of the rakshasas as you please; we know, timid one, how fleeting women’s youth is.
यावन्न ते व्यतिक्रामेत् तावत् सुखमवाप्नुहि । उद्यानानि च रम्याणि पर्वतोपवनानि च ॥ ३५ ॥
“Until it passes, find happiness. Lovely gardens and the woods on the mountains,
सह राक्षसराजेन चर त्वं मदिरेक्षणे । स्त्रीसहस्राणि ते देवि वशे स्थास्यन्ति सुन्दरि ॥ ३६ ॥
“roam them with the king of the rakshasas, intoxicating-eyed one. Thousands of women will be under your command, goddess, beauty.
रावणं भज भर्तारं भर्तारं सर्वरक्षसाम् । उत्पाट्य वा ते हृदयं भक्षयिष्यामि मैथिलि ॥ ३७ ॥
“Take Ravana as husband, the husband of all the rakshasas, or I will tear out your heart and eat it, Maithili,
यदि मे व्याहृतं वाक्यं न यथावत् करिष्यसि । ततश्चण्डोदरी नाम राक्षसी क्रूरदर्शना ॥ ३८ ॥
“if you do not do exactly what I have said.” Then a rakshasi named Chandodari, cruel to look at,
भ्रामयन्ती महच्छूलमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् । इमां हरिणशावाक्षीं त्रासोत्कम्पपयोधराम् ॥ ३९ ॥
whirling a great spear, said this: “This fawn-eyed woman, her breasts quivering with fear,
रावणेन हृतां दृष्ट्वा दौर्हृदो मे महानयम् । यकृत्प्लीहं महत् क्रोडं हृदयं च सबन्धनम् ॥ ४० ॥
“carried off by Ravana: seeing her, I have this great craving: her liver and spleen, her big chest, her heart with its ties,
गात्राण्यपि तथा शीर्षं खादेयमिति मे मतिः । ततस्तु प्रघसा नाम राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ४१ ॥
“her limbs and her head too, I would eat: that is my thought.” Then a rakshasi named Praghasa said:
कण्ठमस्या नृशंसायाः पीडयामः किमास्यते । निवेद्यतां ततो राज्ञे मानुषी सा मृतेति ह ॥ ४२ ॥
“Let us squeeze this cruel woman’s throat; why sit here? Then let it be told to the king: ‘The human woman is dead.’
नात्र कश्चन संदेहः खादतेति स वक्ष्यति । ततस्त्वजामुखी नाम राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ४३ ॥
“There is no doubt here: he will say, ‘Eat her.’” Then a rakshasi named Ajamukhi said:
विशस्येमां ततः सर्वान् समान् कुरुत पिण्डकान् । विभजाम ततः सर्वा विवादो मे न रोचते ॥ ४४ ॥
“Cut her up, then, and make all the portions equal; then let us all share her. I do not like quarrelling.
पेयमानीयतां क्षिप्रं माल्यं च विविधं बहु । ततः शूर्पणखा नाम राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ४५ ॥
“Let drink be brought quickly, and many garlands of every kind.” Then a rakshasi named Shurpanakha said:
अजामुख्या यदुक्तं वै तदेव मम रोचते । सुरा चानीयतां क्षिप्रं सर्वशोकविनाशिनी ॥ ४६ ॥
“What Ajamukhi has said is just what I like. And let wine be brought quickly, that destroys all sorrow.
मानुषं मांसमास्वाद्य नृत्यामोऽथ निकुम्भिलाम् । एवं निर्भर्त्स्यमाना सा सीता सुरसुतोपमा । राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिर्धैर्यमुत्सृज्य रोदिति ॥ ४७ ॥
“Having tasted human flesh, we will dance before Nikumbhila.” Threatened so by the misshapen rakshasis, Sita, like a daughter of the gods, let go of her courage and wept.