Sloka & Translation

[Ravana carries away Sita in his chariot-- she screams and wails aloud -- implores the animals, trees, mountains and rivers to tell Rama about her.]

sītāyā vacanaṅ śrutvā daśagrīvaḥ pratāpavām.

hastē hastaṅ samāhatya cakāra sumahadvapuḥ৷৷3.49.1৷৷


pratāpavām powerful, daśagrīvaḥ ten-headed Ravana, sītāyāḥ Sita's, vacanam words, śrutvā having heard, hastē by the palm, hastam palm, samāhatya striking, sumahat very great, vapuḥ body, cakāra assumed.

On hearing the Sita's words, the powerful Ravana struck his palms one over the other and assumed a huge form (original figure).
sa maithilīṅ punarvākyaṅ babhāṣē ca tatō bhṛśam.

nōnmattayā śrutau manyē mama vīryaparākramau৷৷3.49.2৷৷


saḥ Ravana, maithilīm Maithili, punaḥ again, vākyam these words, bhṛśam very much, babhāṣē said, unmattayā by madness, mama my, vīryaparākramau strength and valour, na śrutau not heard, manyē I suppose.

Ravana again said to that princess from Mithila, I suppose you are too insane to disregard my strength and valour.
udvahēyaṅ bhujābhyāṅ tu mēdinīmambarē sthitaḥ.

āpibēyaṅ samudraṅ ca hanyāṅ mṛtyuṅ raṇē sthitaḥ৷৷3.49.3৷৷


ambarē in the sky, sthitaḥ standing, bhujābhyām with my arms, mēdinīm the earth, udvahēyam lift, samudraṅ ca and oceans, āpibēyam can drink away, raṇē in war, sthitaḥ standing, mṛtyum for death, hanyām can cause death.

Standing in the sky, I can lift the earth with my arms. I can drink the oceans. I can kill even the god of death in a combat.
arkaṅ ṟundhyāṅ śaraistīkṣṇairvibhindyā hi mahītalam.

kāmarūpiṇamunmattē paśya māṅ kāmadaṅ patim৷৷3.49.4৷৷


arkam Sun, ṟundhyām can obstruct, tīkṣṇaiḥ with sharp, śaraiḥ arrows, mahītalam earth, vibhindyām I can shatter, unmattē O mad woman, kāmadam who can fulfil desires, patim husband, kāmarūpiṇam who can assume any form at will, mām me, paśya see.

I can obstruct the Sun and shatter the earth with my sharp arrows. O mad woman! I am a husband who can fulfil your desires, and can assume any form at my own free will. Look at me.
ēvamuktavatastasya sūryakalpē śikhiprabhē.

kruddhasya hariparyantē raktē nētrē babhūvatuḥ৷৷3.49.5৷৷


ēvam in that manner, uktavataḥ as he spoke, kruddhasya full of anger, tasya his, sūryakalpē almost like the Sun, śikhiprabhē radiance of flaming fire, hariparyantē amber-coloured at the corners, nētrē eyes, raktē red, babhuvatuḥ became.

As Ravana exploded in anger, his amber-coloured eyes turned red like the radiance of the flaming fire, and almost as bright as the Sun.
sadyassaumyaṅ parityajya bhikṣurūpaṅ sa rāvaṇaḥ.

svaṅ rūpaṅ kālarūpābhaṅ bhējē vaiśravaṇānujaḥ৷৷3.49.6৷৷


vaiśravaṇānujaḥ younger brother of Kubera, sadyaḥ instantly, saumyam gentle, bhikṣurūpam form of a mendicant, parityajya shed, svam his, kālarūpābham the form of the god of death, rūpam figure, bhējē assumed.

Ravana, brother of Kubera, shed the gentle figure of a mendicant and assumed the form of the god of death.
saṅraktanayanaśśrīmāṅstaptakāñcanabhūṣaṇaḥ.

krōdhēna mahatāviṣṭō nīlajīmūtasannibhaḥ৷৷3.49.7৷৷

daśāsyaḥ kārmukī bāṇī babhūva kṣaṇadācaraḥ.


mahatā with intense, krōdhēna with anger, āviṣṭaḥ overcome, saṅraktanayanaḥ with reddened eyes, śrīmān shining, taptakāñcanabhūṣaṇaḥ glittering golden ornaments, nīlajīmūtasannibhaḥ looking like a dark cloud, daśāsyaḥ the ten-faced Ravana, kārmukī with bow, bāṇī with arrows, kṣaṇadācaraḥ night-ranger, babhūva became.

Overcome by intense anger, Ravana's eyes reddened. The night-ranger, stood armed with bow and arrows and shining with glittering gold ornaments, appeared like a black cloud.
sa parivrājakacchadma mahākāyō vihāya tat৷৷3.49.8৷৷

pratipadya svakaṅ rūpaṅ rāvaṇō rākṣasādhipaḥ.

saṅraktanayanaḥ krōdhājjīmūtanicayaprabhaḥ৷৷3.49.9৷৷

raktāmbaradharastasthau strīratnaṅ prēkṣya maithilīm.


rākṣasādhipaḥ chief of the demons, saḥ rāvaṇaḥ that Ravana, tat that, parivrājakacchadma figure of a mendicant, vihāya shedding, svakam his real, rūpam form, pratipadya assuming, krōdhāt in anger, saṅrakta nayanaḥ red eyes, jīmūtanicayaprabhaḥ radiating like layers of clouds, raktāmbaradharaḥ wearing red garments, strīratnam gem of a woman, maithilīm to Sita, prēkṣya seeing, tasthau stood in front.

Ravana, chief of the demons, shed the mendicant's form and assumed his real self. Clad in red garments, his eyes turned red in anger. Looking like layers of clouds, he stood in front of Sita, a gem among women.
sa tāmasitakēśāntāṅ bhāskarasya prabhāmiva৷৷3.49.10৷৷

vasanābharaṇōpētāṅ maithilīṅ rāvaṇō.bravīt.


saḥ that, rāvaṇaḥ Ravana, asitakēśāntām a lady with shining black hair, bhāskarasya the Sun's, prabhāmiva like the radiance, vasanābharaṇōpētām robed in the best of clothes and ornaments, maithilīm to SIta, abravīt said.

Ravana said to the princess from Mithila, whose black hair was shining, who was luminous like the Sun and was clad in the best of cothes and ornaments.
triṣu lōkēṣu vikhyātaṅ yadi bhartāramicchasi৷৷3.49.11৷৷

māmāśraya varārōhē tavāhaṅ sadṛśaḥ patiḥ.


varārōhē O beautiful lady, triṣulōkēṣu in the three worlds, vikhyātam famous, bhartāram husband, icchasi you desire, yadi so, mām me, āśraya take refuge in, aham I, tava your, sadṛśaḥ fit, patiḥ husband.

O beautiful lady ! if you desire a husband who is famous in the three worlds, take refuge in me. I am fit to be your husband.
māṅ bhajasva cirāya tvamahaṅ ślāghyaḥ priyastava৷৷3.49.12৷৷

naiva cāhaṅ kvacidbhadrē kariṣyē tava vipriyam.

tyajyatāṅ mānuṣē bhāvō mayi bhāvaḥ praṇīyatām৷৷3.49.13৷৷


bhadrē O auspicious lady, cirāya for long, mām me, bhajasva accept, aham I am, tava your, ślāghyaḥ praiseworthy, priyaḥ (patiḥ) husband, aham I am, kvacit at any time, tava your, vipriyam unpleasantness, na kariṣyē cawill not cause, mānuṣē mortal , bhāvaḥ your attachment, tyajyatām abandon, mayi in me, bhāvaḥ inclination, praṇīyatām diverted.

I am your praiseworthy husband. I will not cause any unpleasantness to you at any time. Abandon on your inclination towards, a (mere) mortal. Divert your love to me.
rājyāccyutamasiddhārthaṅ rāmaṅ parimitāyuṣam.

kairguṇairanuraktāsi mūḍhē paṇḍitamānini৷৷3.49.14৷৷

yaḥ striyā vacanādrājyaṅ vihāya sasuhṛjjanam.

asminvyālānucaritē vanē vasati durmatiḥ৷৷3.49.15৷৷


muḍhē O stupid woman!, paṇḍitamānini you think you are wise, durmatiḥ wicked, yaḥ he, striyāḥ woman's, vacanāt word, sasuhṛjjanam including friends, rājyam kingdom, vihāya after leaving, vyālānucaritē haunted by wild animals, asmin in this, vanē in the forest, carati moves, rājyāt from the kingdom, cyutam banished, asiddhārtham who has not accomplished any objective, parimitāyuṣam of limited life, rāmam Rama, kaiḥ by what, guṇaiḥ virtues, anuraktā a attached, asi are you.

O stupid woman! you think you are very wise. What is there in Rama so that you are attached to him ? He has left the kingdom and his kith and kin due to the words of a woman. He has not accomplished anything (in life). He has a limited life span and now lives in this forest haunted by wild animals.
ityuktvā maithilīṅ vākyaṅ priyārhāṅ priyavādinīm.

abhigamya suduṣṭātmā rākṣasaḥ kāmamōhitaḥ৷৷3.49.16৷৷

jagrāha rāvaṇassītāṅ budhaḥ khē rōhiṇīmiva.


suduṣṭātmā evil-minded, kāmamōhitaḥ infatuated, rākṣasaḥ demon, rāvaṇaḥ Ravana, priyārhām worthy of pity, priyavādinīm speaks pleasing words, maithilīm Maithili, iti thus, uktvā said, abhigamya going towards, khē budhaḥ Mercury in the sky, rōhiṇīmiva like Rohini, sītām Sita, jagrāha caught hold of.

Just as Budha (planet Mercury) catches Rohini (a cluster of five stars) in the sky, the evil-minded, infatuated Ravana advanced towards the pitiable, pleasing Sita and caught hold of her.
vāmēna sītāṅ padmākṣīṅ mūrdhajēṣu karēṇa saḥ৷৷3.49.17৷৷

ūrvōstu dakṣiṇēnaiva parijagrāha pāṇinā.


saḥ that Ravana, padmākṣīm lotus-eyed, sītām Sita, vāmēna karēṇa with his left hand, mūrdhajēṣu holding her hair, dakṣiṇēna pāṇinā with right hand, ūrvōḥ under her thighs, pratijagrāha held her.

Ravana seized with his left hand the lotus-eyed Sita by the hair and lifted her by the thighs with his right hand.
taṅ dṛṣṭvā mṛtyusaṅkāśaṅ tīkṣṇadaṅṣṭraṅ mahābhujam৷৷3.49.18৷৷

prādravangirisaṅkāśaṅ bhayārtā vanadēvatāḥ.


mṛtyusaṅkāśam like the god of death, tīkṣṇadaṅṣṭram with sharp teeth, mahābhujam mighty-armed, girisaṅkāśam like a mountain, tam him, dṛṣṭvā seeing, vanadēvatāḥ deities of the forest, bhayārtāḥ out of fear, prādravan fled.

The sylvan deities fled out of fear on seeing the dreadful appearance of Ravana who had sharp teeth and mighty arms. He looked like a mountain, a veritable god of death.
sa ca māyāmayō divyaḥ kharayuktaḥ kharasvanaḥ৷৷3.49.19৷৷

pratyadṛśyata hēmāṅgō rāvaṇasya mahārathaḥ.


māyāmayaḥ illusive form, divyaḥ divine, kharayuktaḥ harnessed by donkeys, kharasvanaḥ brayins of asses, hēmāṅgaḥ golden-limbed, rāvaṇasya Ravana's, saḥ mahārathaḥ that great chariot, pratyadṛśyata apeared.

There arrived the great golden chariot of Ravana, illusive and wonderful, harnessed with donkeys and braying like donkeys.
tatastāṅ paruṣairvākyairbhartsayansa mahāsvanaḥ৷৷3.49.20৷৷

aṅkēnādāya vaidēhīṅ rathamārōpayattadā.


tadā then, mahāsvanaḥ Ravana in a loud voice, saḥ he, tāṅ vaidēhīm Vaidehi, paruṣaiḥ with harsh, vākyaiḥ words, bhartsayan reproaching, aṅkēna on his lap, ādāya on lifting, ratham chariot, ārōpayat placed.

Reproaching the princess from Videha loudly and harshly, Ravana took her on his lap and put her on the chariot.
sā gṛhītā vicukrōśa rāvaṇēna yaśassvinī৷৷3.49.21৷৷

rāmēti sītā duḥkhārtā rāmaṅ dūragataṅvanē.


rāvaṇēna by Ravana, gṛhītā seized, yaśassvinī illustrious, sā sītā that Sita, duḥkhārtā helpless in grief, vanē in the forset, dūragatam who was far away, rāmam Rama, rāma iti saying, Alas Rama, vicukrōśa screamed aloud.

Seized by Ravana, illustrious Sita screamed aloud Alas, Rama. for one who was far away in the forest.
tāmakāmāṅ sa kāmārtaḥ pannagēndravadhūmiva৷৷3.49.22৷৷

vivēṣṭamānāmādāya utpapātātha rāvaṇaḥ.


atha then, kāmārtaḥ passionate, saḥ that, rāvaṇaḥ Ravana, akāmām not willing, pannagēndravadhūmiva like a serpent queen, vivēṣṭamānām writhing hard, tām her, ādāya seized,utpapāta flew up.

Passionate Ravana took hold of Sita who was not willing and was writhing in pain. He seized her like (an eagle carrying away) a serpent queen and flew up.
tatassā rākṣasēndrēṇa hriyamāṇā vihāyasā৷৷3.49.23৷৷

bhṛśaṅ cukrōśa mattēva bhrāntacittā yathā৷৷turā.


tataḥ then, rākṣasēndrēṇa by the king of demons, vihāyasā through the sky, hriyamāṇā being carried off, sā that Sita, mattēva like a mad woman, bhrāntacittā with a bewildered mind, āturā
anxious, yathā like, bhṛśam cukrōśa screamed a lot in agony.

While Sita was being carried off in the sky by the king of demons, she screamed a lot in agony and anxiety like a mad woman in a bewildered state:
hā lakṣmaṇa mahābāhō gurucittaprasādaka৷৷3.49.24৷৷

hriyamāṇāṅ na jānīṣē rakṣasā māmamarṣiṇā.


mahābāhō O long-armed Lakshmana, gurucittaprasādaka who entertains the brother's mind, hā lakṣmaṇa Alas, Lakshmana, amarṣiṇā by this angry, rakṣasā demon, mām me, hriyamāṇām being carried away, na jānīṣē you do not know.

Alas, O long-armed Lakshmana, you who used to entertain your brother do not know that I am being carried away by this ruthless demon.
jīvitaṅ sukhamarthāṅśca dharmahētōḥ parityajan৷৷3.49.25৷৷

hriyamāṇāmadharmēṇa māṅ rāghava na paśyasi.


jīvitam life, sukham comfort, arthāṅśca treasure, dharmahētōḥ for the sake of righteousness, parityajan giving up, rāghava O Rama, adharmēṇa by unrighteous, hriyamāṇām carried off, mām me, na paśyasi do you not see.

O Rama, you have given up your life, pleasure and treasure for the sake of righteousness. Do you not see me carried off by an unrighteous fellow ?
nanu nāmāvinītānāṅ vinētāsi parantapa৷৷3.49.26৷৷

kathamēvaṅvidhaṅ pāpaṅ na tvaṅ śāsi hi rāvaṇam.


parantapa scorcher of enemies, avinītānām of the haughty, vinētā a chastiser, asi nanu as such, ēvaṅvidham such, pāpam sinner, rāvaṇam Ravana, katham how is it, hi indeed, śāsi you are not punishing?

O scorcher of enemies! you are the chastiser of the haughty. Why do you not punish such a sinner like Ravana.
nanu sadyō.vinītasya dṛśyatē karmaṇaḥphalam৷৷3.49.27৷৷

kālō.pyaṅgībhavatyatra sasyānāmiva paktayē.


avinītasya arrogant, karmaṇaḥ action, phalam result, sadyaḥ right now, na dṛśyatē nu not seen, sasyānām crop, paktayē iva ripening, atra in the same way, kālō.pi it takes time also, aṅgībhavati serves as a supporting factor.

The effect of arrogant action cannot be seen right away. Just as the crop yields results only after ripening, in the same way it takes time. Time acts as a supporting factor.
tvaṅ karma kṛtavānētatkālōpahatacētanaḥ৷৷3.49.28৷৷

jīvitāntakaraṅ ghōraṅ rāmādvyasanamāpnuhi.


tvam you, kālōpahatacētanaḥ time has taken a toll of your senses, ētat this, karma action, kṛtavān have done, rāmāt from Rama, jīvitāntakaram leading towards the end of your life, ghōram dreadful, vyasanam sorrow, āpnuhi will befall.

Time has taken a toll of your senses. This has made you do what you have done. A great calamity is awaiting you in the hands of Rama. It will end your life.
hantēdānīṅ sakāmāstu kaikēyī saha bāndhavaiḥ৷৷3.49.29৷৷

hriyē yaddharmakāmasya dharmapatnī yaśasvinaḥ.


dharmakāmasya of one who wants to discharge righteous duties, yaśasvinaḥ of the glorious, dharmapatnī lawful wife, yat such, hriyē being carried away, idānīm now, kaikēyī Kaikeyi, bāndhavaiḥ saha along with her relations, sakāmā her desires, astu may be fulfilled, hanta alas.

Alas, the lawful wife of the glorious and righteous Rama is being abducted now. Let
Kaikeyi along with her relations be happy with her desire fulfilled.
āmantrayē janasthānē karṇikārānsupuṣpitān৷৷3.49.30৷৷

kṣipraṅ rāmāya śaṅsadhvaṅ sītāṅ harati rāvaṇaḥ.


janasthānē in Janasthana, supuṣpitān blossomed, karṇikārān karnikara trees, āmantrayē pray, rāvaṇaḥ Ravana, sītām Sita, harati is abducting, kṣipram at once, rāmāya to Rama, śaṅsadhvam tell him.

O karnikar trees in full bloom in Janasthana, tell Rama quickly that Ravana is kidnapping Sita.
mālyavantaṅ śikhariṇaṅ vandē prasravaṇaṅ girim৷৷3.49.31৷৷

kṣipraṅ rāmāya śaṅsa tvaṅ sītāṅ harati rāvaṇaḥ.


mālyavantam Malyavan, śikhariṇam mountain, prasravaṇaṅ girim mount Prasravana, vandē I salute, rāvaṇaḥ Ravana, sītām Sita, harati abducting, tvam you, kṣipram at once, rāmāya to Rama, śaṅsa tell.

I salute to Malyavan and Prasravana mountains. Tell Rama at once that Ravana is carrying away Sita.
haṅsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāṅ vandē gōdāvarīṅ nadīm৷৷3.49.32৷৷

kṣipraṅ rāmāya śaṅsa tvaṅ sītāṅ harati rāvaṇaḥ.


haṅsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāṅ filled with swans and cranes, gōdāvarīṅ nadīm river Godavari, vandē my salutations to you, rāvaṇaḥ Ravana, sītām Sita, harati is carrying away, tvam you, kṣipram immediately, rāmāya Rama, śaṅsa tell.

O river Godavari abounding in swans and cranes, my salutations to you ! Tell Rama immediately that Ravana is taking away Sita.
daivatāni ca yānyasminvanē vividhapādapē৷৷3.49.33৷৷

namaskarōmyahaṅ tēbhyōbhartuśśaṅsata māṅ hṛtām.


vividhapādapē various trees, asmin vanē in this forest, yāni those, daivatāni deities, (santi residing here), tēbhyaḥ to them, aham I, namaskarōmi I offer salutations, mām me, hṛtām taken away, bhartuḥ to my husband, śaṅsata Tell.

I offer my salutations to different deities residing in this forest abounding in trees of many kinds. Tell my husband about me that I am being whisked away.
yāni kāni cidapyatra sattvāni nivasantyuta৷৷3.49.34৷৷

sarvāṇi śaraṇaṅ yāmi mṛgapakṣigaṇānapi.


atra here, yāni kāni cit all the animals of the forest, sattvāni living beings, nivasanti are residing, sarvāṇi all, mṛgapakṣigaṇānapi including herds of animals and birds, śaraṇam I seek refuge, yāmi I seek.

I seek refuge in all those living beings as well as herds of animals and birds in the forest.
hriyamāṇāṅ priyāṅ bhartuḥ prāṇēbhyō.pi garīyasīm৷৷3.49.35৷৷

vivaśā.pahṛtā sītā rāvaṇēnēti śaṅsata.


prāṇēbhyō.pi more than his life, garīyasīm valuable lady, hriyamāṇām carried away, priyām beloved, vivaśā helpless lady, sītā Sita, rāvaṇēna by Ravana, apahṛtā iti is abducted like this, bhartuḥ to my husband, śaṅsata tell.

Tell Rama that his dear wife Sita whom he loves more than his life is abducted helplessly.
viditvā māṅ mahābāhuramutrāpi mahābalaḥ৷৷3.49.36৷৷

ānēṣyati parākramya vaivasvatahṛtāmapi.


mahābalaḥ mighty, mahābāhuḥ long-armed, vaivasvatahṛtāmapi even if abducted by Vaivasvata, lord of death, mām me, amutrāpi from there also, viditvā knowing, parākramya by his valour, ānēṣyati can get back.

If he knows that I am abducted by Yama, the god of death, that mighty, long-armed hero will save me even from there by virtue of his valour.
sā tadā karuṇā vācō vilapantī suduḥkhitā৷৷3.49.37৷৷

vanaspatigataṅ gṛdhraṅ dadarśā.yatalōcanā.


tadā then, karuṇāḥ piteously, vācaḥ words, vilapantī pleading crying, āyatalōcanā large eyed, sā that lady, suduḥkhitā very sadly, vanaspatigatam seated on the tree, gṛdhram vulture, dadarśa saw.

When the grief-stricken, large-eyed Sita was lamenting piteously, she saw the vulture (Jatayu) seated on a tree.
sā tamudvīkṣya suśrōṇī rāvaṇasya vaśaṅ gatā.3.49.38৷৷

samākrandadbhayaparā duḥkhōpahatayā girā.


rāvaṇasya Ravana's, vaśam grip, gatā gone, suśrōṇī heavy-hipped Sita, bhayaparā frightened, sā she, tam him, udvīkṣya seeing him, duḥkhōpahatayā shaken up by sorrow, girā with words, samākrandat screamed.

The heavy-hipped Sita felt frightened in the grip of Ravana. When she saw Jatayu she screamed, shaken by sorrow:
jaṭāyō paśya māmadya hriyamāṇāmanāthavat৷৷3.49.39৷৷

anēna rākṣasēndrēṇa karuṇaṅ pāpakarmaṇā.


jaṭāyō O Jatayu, adya now, anēna by this one, pāpakarmaṇā by sinful deeds, rākṣasēndrēṇa by the king of demons, anāthavat like an orphan, karuṇam in a desparate way, hriyamāṇām being carried away, mām me, paśya see.

O Jatayu, see me now being carried away by the sinful king of demons in this pitiable condition as though I am an orphan.
naiṣa vārayituṅ śakyastava krūrō niśācaraḥ৷৷3.49.40৷৷

sattvāñjitakāśī ca sāyudhaścaiva durmatiḥ.


krūraḥ cruel, sattvān strong, jitakāśī victorious, sāyudhaścaiva wielding weapons, durmatiḥ evil-minded, ēṣaḥ this, niśācaraḥ night-ranger, tava you, vārayitum to prevent, na śakyaḥ not possible.

This night-ranger is equipped with weapons. Cruel, strong and evil-minded, he has won wars. You cannot stop him.
rāmāya tu yathātattvaṅ jaṭāyō haraṇaṅ mama৷৷3.49.41৷৷

lakṣmaṇāya ca tatsarvamākhyātavyamaśēṣataḥ.


jaṭāyōḥ Jatayu, mama my, haraṇam abduction, yathātattvam exact fact, tat sarvam everything, aśēṣataḥ without any omission, rāmāya to Rama, lakṣmaṇāya ca and Lakshmana, ākhyātavyam please narrate.

O Jatayu! narrate to Rama and Lakshmana the exact facts of my abduction and all the details without any omission.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē ēkōnapañcāśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the fortyninth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.