Mahabharata — Volume II (Dutt edition) — Chapter 278
MBh 2 278.1
मार्कण्डेय उवाच मारीचस्त्वथ सम्भ्रान्तो दृष्ट्वा रावणमागतम्। पूजयामास सत्कारैः फलमूलादिभिस्ततः॥
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca mārīcastvatha sambhrānto dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇamāgatam| pūjayāmāsa satkāraiḥ phalamūlādibhistataḥ||
Markandeya said : Seeing Ravana come, Maricha accorded to him a respectful welcome by offering fruits and roots.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.2
विश्रान्तं चैनमासीनमन्वासीनः स राक्षसः। उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकोविदम्॥
viśrāntaṃ cainamāsīnamanvāsīnaḥ sa rākṣasaḥ| uvāca praśritaṃ vākyaṃ vākyajño vākyakovidam||
When he (Ravana) had been seated and rested awhile, that Rakshasa (Maricha), well aware of the proper made of speech, sat beside Ravana, who was himself an eloquent speaker and humbly addressed himn thus.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.3
न ते प्रकृतिमान् वर्ण: कच्चित् क्षेमं पुरे तव। कच्चित् प्रकृतयः सर्वा भजन्ते त्वां यथा पुरा॥
na te prakṛtimān varṇa: kaccit kṣemaṃ pure tava| kaccit prakṛtayaḥ sarvā bhajante tvāṃ yathā purā||
“Your complexion is not in its natural state. Is it all right with your Kingdom? Do your subjects render obedience to you (now) as they did before?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.4
किमिहागमने चापि कार्यं ते राक्षसेश्वर। कृतमित्येव तद् विद्धि यद्यपि स्यात् सुदुष्करम्॥
kimihāgamane cāpi kāryaṃ te rākṣaseśvara| kṛtamityeva tad viddhi yadyapi syāt suduṣkaram||
O lord of the Rakshasas, what business has brought you here? Know it to be already performed even if it be very difficult of fulfillment."
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.5
शशंस रावणस्तस्मै तत् सर्वं रामचेष्टितम्। समासेनैव कार्याणि क्रोधामर्षसमन्वितः॥
śaśaṃsa rāvaṇastasmai tat sarvaṃ rāmaceṣṭitam| samāsenaiva kāryāṇi krodhāmarṣasamanvitaḥ||
Ravana, whose heart was distracted with grief and anger, briefly told him of the acts of Rama and the steps that were to be taken.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.6
मारीचस्त्वब्रवीच्छ्रुत्वा समासनैव रावणम्। अलं ते राममासाद्य वीर्यज्ञो ह्यस्मि तस्य वै॥
mārīcastvabravīcchrutvā samāsanaiva rāvaṇam| alaṃ te rāmamāsādya vīryajño hyasmi tasya vai||
On hearing Ravana, Maricha shortly told him “You must not provoke Rama, for I am well aware of his prowess.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.7
बाणवेगं हि कस्तस्य शक्तः सोढुं महात्मनः। प्रव्रज्यायां हि मे हेतुः स एव पुरुषर्षभः॥ विनाशमुखमेतत् वे केनाख्यातं दुरात्मना।
bāṇavegaṃ hi kastasya śaktaḥ soḍhuṃ mahātmanaḥ| pravrajyāyāṃ hi me hetuḥ sa eva puruṣarṣabhaḥ|| vināśamukhametat ve kenākhyātaṃ durātmanā|
Is there any body who can stand the fury of the arrows of that high-souled one? That most heroic mortal is the cause of my leading this ascetic life. What wicked-minded creature has given you this advice which will lead you to the very mouth of destruction?”
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.8
तमुवाचाथ सक्रोधो रावणः परिभर्स्यन्॥ अकुर्वतोऽस्मद्वचनं स्यान्मृत्युरपि ते ध्रुवम्।
tamuvācātha sakrodho rāvaṇaḥ paribharsyan|| akurvato'smadvacanaṃ syānmṛtyurapi te dhruvam|
(On hearing Maricha) Ravana reproachfully replied to him in anger. "If you do not comply with my be hests, you shall surely meet with death."
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.9
मारीचश्चिन्तयामास विशिष्टान्मरणं वरम्॥ अवश्यं मरणे प्राप्ते करिष्याम्यस्य यन्मतम्।
mārīcaścintayāmāsa viśiṣṭānmaraṇaṃ varam|| avaśyaṃ maraṇe prāpte kariṣyāmyasya yanmatam|
Maricha then considered (within himself) "since death is certain then it is preferable at the hands of a superior being. I shall do what he (Ravana) desires."
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.10
ततस्तं प्रत्युवाचाथ मारीचो रक्षसां वरम्॥ किं ते साह्यं मया कार्यं करिष्याम्यवशोऽपि तत्।
tatastaṃ pratyuvācātha mārīco rakṣasāṃ varam|| kiṃ te sāhyaṃ mayā kāryaṃ kariṣyāmyavaśo'pi tat|
Then Maricha replied to the king of the Rakshasas. “What service shall I have to render to you? I shall (surely) do it even if I am not equal to it."
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.11
तमब्रवीद् दशग्रीवो गच्छ सीतां प्रलोभय॥ रत्नशृङ्गो मृगो भूत्वा रत्नचित्रतनूरूहः। ध्रुवं सीता समालक्ष्य त्वां रामं चोदयिष्यति॥
tamabravīd daśagrīvo gaccha sītāṃ pralobhaya|| ratnaśṛṅgo mṛgo bhūtvā ratnacitratanūrūhaḥ| dhruvaṃ sītā samālakṣya tvāṃ rāmaṃ codayiṣyati||
(There at) the ten-headed one replied to him "go and tempt Sita wearing the form of a deer with golden horns and a golden skin. It is certain that on beholding you she will send Rama after you".
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.12
अपक्रान्ते च काकुत्स्थे सीता वश्या भविष्यति। तामादायापनेष्यामि ततः स न भविष्यति॥ भार्यावियोगाद् दुर्बुद्धिरेतत् साह्यं कुरुष्व मे।
apakrānte ca kākutsthe sītā vaśyā bhaviṣyati| tāmādāyāpaneṣyāmi tataḥ sa na bhaviṣyati|| bhāryāviyogād durbuddhiretat sāhyaṃ kuruṣva me|
When the descendant of Kakustha (Rama) will go away (after you) Sita will be under my control. I will then forcibly take her away. (And then) that wicked-minded being (Rama) will die in consequence of the loss of his wife, Render to me this help."
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.13
इत्येवमुक्तो मारीचः कृत्वोदकमथात्मनः॥ रावणं पुरतो यान्तमन्वगच्छत् सुदुःखितः।
ityevamukto mārīcaḥ kṛtvodakamathātmanaḥ|| rāvaṇaṃ purato yāntamanvagacchat suduḥkhitaḥ|
Thus spoken to Maricha having performed his last rites (in anticipation of sure death) and with a heavy heart, followed Ravana who was going before him.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.14
ततस्तस्याश्रमं गत्वा रामस्थाक्लिष्टकर्मणः॥ चक्रतुस्तद् तथा सर्वमुभौ यत् पूर्वमन्त्रितम्।
tatastasyāśramaṃ gatvā rāmasthākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ|| cakratustad tathā sarvamubhau yat pūrvamantritam|
Then having got to the hermitage of Rama of untiring action, they both did as was arranged previously.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.15
रावणस्तु यतिर्भूत्वा मुण्डः कुण्डी त्रिदण्डधृक्॥ मृगश्च भूत्वा मारीचस्तं देशमुपजग्मतुः। दर्शयामास मारीचो वैदेहीं मृगरूपधृक॥
rāvaṇastu yatirbhūtvā muṇḍaḥ kuṇḍī tridaṇḍadhṛk|| mṛgaśca bhūtvā mārīcastaṃ deśamupajagmatuḥ| darśayāmāsa mārīco vaidehīṃ mṛgarūpadhṛka||
Ravana, assuming the shape of an ascetic with his head shaven and holding (in his hands) a triheaded staff and Maricha in the guise of a deer appeared on the scene. And Maricha showed himself to the princess of Videha in the form of a deer.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.16
चोदयामास तस्यार्थे सा रामं विधिचोदिता। रामस्तस्याः प्रियं कुर्वन् धनुरादाय सत्वरः॥ रक्षार्थे लक्ष्मणं न्यस्य प्रययौ मृगलिप्सया।
codayāmāsa tasyārthe sā rāmaṃ vidhicoditā| rāmastasyāḥ priyaṃ kurvan dhanurādāya satvaraḥ|| rakṣārthe lakṣmaṇaṃ nyasya prayayau mṛgalipsayā|
Driven by destiny, Sita sent Rama in pursuit of him. And Rana (too) with a view to please her, soon taking up his bow and instructing Lakshmana to protect her, went in pursuit of that deer.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.17
स धन्वी बद्धतूणीरः खङ्गगोधाङ्गुलित्रवान्॥ अन्वधावन्मृगं रामो रुद्रस्तारामृगं यथा।
sa dhanvī baddhatūṇīraḥ khaṅgagodhāṅgulitravān|| anvadhāvanmṛgaṃ rāmo rudrastārāmṛgaṃ yathā|
Equipped with his bow, quiver and sword and with his fingers encased in the skin of Godha, Rama ran after that deer as Rudra followed the stellar deer (i.e. Prajapati, who in the guise of a deer followed his daughter, but Shiva cut off his head which became the constellation called Mrigashira i.e. the deerhead).
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.18
सोऽन्तर्हितः पुनस्तस्य दर्शनं राक्षसो व्रजन्॥ चकर्ष महदध्वानं रामस्तं बुबुधे ततः। निशाचरं विदित्वा तं राघवः प्रतिभानवान्॥ अमोघं शरमादाय जघान मृगरूपिणम्।
so'ntarhitaḥ punastasya darśanaṃ rākṣaso vrajan|| cakarṣa mahadadhvānaṃ rāmastaṃ bubudhe tataḥ| niśācaraṃ viditvā taṃ rāghavaḥ pratibhānavān|| amoghaṃ śaramādāya jaghāna mṛgarūpiṇam|
And that Rakshasa now appearing before him and then disappearing from his view. Allured Rama to a great distance. Rama, then, knew what that deer really was. The intelligent Raghava knowing him to be a Rakshasa, took up an arrow of infallible energy and killed him who wore the shape of a deer.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.19
स रामबाणाभिहतः कृत्वा रामस्वरं तदा।॥ हा सीते लक्ष्मणेत्येवं चुक्रोशार्तस्वरेण ह।
sa rāmabāṇābhihataḥ kṛtvā rāmasvaraṃ tadā||| hā sīte lakṣmaṇetyevaṃ cukrośārtasvareṇa ha|
Struck by Rama's arrow, he, imitating the voice of Rama, began to cry piteously calling upon Sita and Lakshmana.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.20
शुश्राव तस्य वैदेही ततस्तां करुणां गिरम्॥ सा प्राद्रवद् यतः शब्दस्तामुवाचाथ लक्ष्मणः। अलं ते शङ्कया भीरु को रामं प्रहरिष्यति॥ मुहूर्ताद् द्रक्ष्यसे रामं भर्तारं त्वं शुचिस्मिते।
śuśrāva tasya vaidehī tatastāṃ karuṇāṃ giram|| sā prādravad yataḥ śabdastāmuvācātha lakṣmaṇaḥ| alaṃ te śaṅkayā bhīru ko rāmaṃ prahariṣyati|| muhūrtād drakṣyase rāmaṃ bhartāraṃ tvaṃ śucismite|
And (when) the princess of Videha heard those piteous cries, she was about to run towards the direction from which the sound came. Then Lakshmana spoke to her, "O timid lady, there is no reason for your fear. Who is able to strike Rama? O lady of sweet smiles, you will in a moment see your lord Rama."
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.21
इत्युक्ता सा प्ररुदती पर्यशङ्कत लक्ष्मणम्॥ हता वै स्त्रीस्वभावेन शुक्लचारित्रभूषणा। सा तं परुषमारब्धा वक्तुं साध्वी पतिव्रता॥
ityuktā sā prarudatī paryaśaṅkata lakṣmaṇam|| hatā vai strīsvabhāvena śuklacāritrabhūṣaṇā| sā taṃ paruṣamārabdhā vaktuṃ sādhvī pativratā||
Thus addressed, she, who was weeping aloud, from the weakness natural to her sex, began to suspect Lakshmana adorned with a spotless character. And that chaste woman, devoted to her husband, began to level against Lakshmana these harsh words,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.22
नैघ कामो भवेन्मूढ यं त्वं प्रार्थयसे हृदा। अप्यहं शस्त्रमादाय हन्यामात्मानमात्मना॥ पतेयं गिरिशृङ्गाद वा विशेयं वा हुताशनम्। रामं भर्तारमुत्सृज्य न त्वहं त्वां कथंचन॥ निहीनमुपतिष्ठेयं शार्दूली क्रोष्टुकं यथा।
naigha kāmo bhavenmūḍha yaṃ tvaṃ prārthayase hṛdā| apyahaṃ śastramādāya hanyāmātmānamātmanā|| pateyaṃ giriśṛṅgāda vā viśeyaṃ vā hutāśanam| rāmaṃ bhartāramutsṛjya na tvahaṃ tvāṃ kathaṃcana|| nihīnamupatiṣṭheyaṃ śārdūlī kroṣṭukaṃ yathā|
"O fool, the desire which you cherish in your heart shall never be gratified. I will rather kill myself with a weapon or throw myself from the summit of a mountain or enter into fire, than forsaking my husband Rama live with such a mean wretch as you, like a tigress under the protection of jackal.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.23
एतादृशं वचः श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणः प्रियराघवः॥ पिधाय को सद्वत्तः प्रस्थितो येन राघवः। स रामस्य पदं गृह्य प्रससार धनुर्धरः॥ अवीक्षमाणो बिम्बोष्ठी प्रययौ लक्ष्मणस्तदा।
etādṛśaṃ vacaḥ śrutvā lakṣmaṇaḥ priyarāghavaḥ|| pidhāya ko sadvattaḥ prasthito yena rāghavaḥ| sa rāmasya padaṃ gṛhya prasasāra dhanurdharaḥ|| avīkṣamāṇo bimboṣṭhī prayayau lakṣmaṇastadā|
Thus addressed by her, Lakshmana who was devotedly attached to Rama and who possessed a noble character, shutting up his ears (with his hands) and armed with bow went out following the foot-prints of Rama. And without casting a single look upon her whose lips resembled a (ripe) Bimba fruit, (he) set out (in search of Rama).
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.24
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे रक्षो रावणः प्रत्यदृश्यत॥ अभव्यो भव्यरूपेण भस्मच्छन्न इवानलः। यतिवेषप्रतिच्छन्नो जिहीर्षुस्तामनिन्दिताम्॥
etasminnantare rakṣo rāvaṇaḥ pratyadṛśyata|| abhavyo bhavyarūpeṇa bhasmacchanna ivānalaḥ| yativeṣapraticchanno jihīrṣustāmaninditām||
In the meantime, the Rakshasa Ravana appeared (before Sita). Assuming a gentele appearance though inwardly very wicked and like a fire hidden under ashes. Disguised as an ascetic he (showed himself there) in order to carry off that lady of blameless character.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.25
सा तमालक्ष्य सम्प्राप्तं धर्मज्ञा जनकात्मजा। निमन्त्रयामास तदा फलमूलाशनादिभिः॥
sā tamālakṣya samprāptaṃ dharmajñā janakātmajā| nimantrayāmāsa tadā phalamūlāśanādibhiḥ||
On perceiving him, the virtuous daughter of Janaka welcomed him by offering fruits roots and a seat.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.26
अवमन्य ततः सर्वं स्वरूपं प्रत्यपद्यत। सान्त्वयामास वैदेहीमिति राक्षसपुङ्गवः॥
avamanya tataḥ sarvaṃ svarūpaṃ pratyapadyata| sāntvayāmāsa vaidehīmiti rākṣasapuṅgavaḥ||
But that foremost of the Rakshasas disregarding all those things and assuming his natural shape began to cheer up the Princess of Videha saying,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.27
सीते राक्षसराजोऽहं रावणो नाम विश्रुतः। मम लङ्का पुरी नाम्ना रम्या पारे महोदधेः॥
sīte rākṣasarājo'haṃ rāvaṇo nāma viśrutaḥ| mama laṅkā purī nāmnā ramyā pāre mahodadheḥ||
"O Sita, I am the lord of the Rakshasas and celebrated under the name of Ravana. My beautiful city is named Lanka and is situate on the other side of the ocean.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.28
तत्र त्वं नरनारीषु शोभिष्यसि मया सह। भार्या मे भव सुश्रोणि तापसं त्यज राघवम्॥
tatra tvaṃ naranārīṣu śobhiṣyasi mayā saha| bhāryā me bhava suśroṇi tāpasaṃ tyaja rāghavam||
There amongst beautiful damsels you will shine with me. O lady of beautiful lips, do become my consort and abandon the ascetic Raghava".
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.29
एवमादीनि वाक्यानि श्रुत्वा तस्याथ जानकी। पिधाय की सुश्रोणी मैवमित्यब्रवीद् वचः॥
evamādīni vākyāni śrutvā tasyātha jānakī| pidhāya kī suśroṇī maivamityabravīd vacaḥ||
Addressed in this strain, the daughter of Janaka, endued with beautiful lips, shut up her ears (with hands) and said "Do not say such words again.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.30
प्रपतेद् द्यौः सनक्षत्रा पृथिवी शकलीभवेत्। शैत्यमग्निरियानाहं त्यजेयं रघुनन्दनम्॥
prapated dyauḥ sanakṣatrā pṛthivī śakalībhavet| śaityamagniriyānāhaṃ tyajeyaṃ raghunandanam||
Even if the firmament with all its stars fall down, even if the earth be reduced to atoms and even if the fire be deprived of heat and turn cold, I will not forsake the descendant of Raghu.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.31
कथं हि भिन्नकरटं पद्मिनं वनगोचरम्। उपस्थाय महानागं करेणुः सूकरं स्पृशेत्॥
kathaṃ hi bhinnakaraṭaṃ padminaṃ vanagocaram| upasthāya mahānāgaṃ kareṇuḥ sūkaraṃ spṛśet||
Is it possible for a she-elephant who has enjoyed the company of the mighty ranger of forest with rent temples, to live with a (miserable) hog?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.32
कथं हि पीत्वा माध्वीकं पीत्वा च मधुमाधवीम्। लोभं सौवीरके कुर्यान्नारी काचिदिति स्मरेत्॥
kathaṃ hi pītvā mādhvīkaṃ pītvā ca madhumādhavīm| lobhaṃ sauvīrake kuryānnārī kāciditi smaret||
How can a lady who has tasted of the sweet wire prepare . out of honey or flowers, be tempted to drink the (wretched) wine prepared from peutrid rice”!
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.33
इति सा तं समाभाष्य प्रविवेशाश्रमं ततः। क्रोधात् प्रस्फुरमाणौष्ठी विधुन्वाना करौ मुहुः॥
iti sā taṃ samābhāṣya praviveśāśramaṃ tataḥ| krodhāt prasphuramāṇauṣṭhī vidhunvānā karau muhuḥ||
Having spoken thus, she with her lips trembling in ire and repeatedly shaking her hands entered the hermitage.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.34
तामभिद्रुत्य सुश्रोणी रावणः प्रत्यषेधयत्। भर्त्सयित्वा तु रूक्षेण स्वरेण गतचेतनाम्॥
tāmabhidrutya suśroṇī rāvaṇaḥ pratyaṣedhayat| bhartsayitvā tu rūkṣeṇa svareṇa gatacetanām||
(But) Ravana, pursuing that lady of beautiful lips, cut off her retreat. And harshly scolded by Ravana she fell into a soon.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 2 278.35
मूर्धजेषु निजग्राह ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे ततः। तां ददर्श ततो गृध्रो जटायुर्गिरिगोचरः। रुदतीं राम रामेति ह्रियमाणां तपस्विनीम्॥
mūrdhajeṣu nijagrāha ūrdhvamācakrame tataḥ| tāṃ dadarśa tato gṛdhro jaṭāyurgirigocaraḥ| rudatīṃ rāma rāmeti hriyamāṇāṃ tapasvinīm||
But (he) seizing her by the hair (of her head) rose up in the air. Then a vulture, Jatayu, living in a mountain, saw that helpless lady crying in distress uttering the name of Rama while being carried off (by Ravana).
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)