Sarga 45

Verse 3.45.1

आर्तस्वरं तु तं भर्तुर्विज्ञाय सदृशं वने।उवाच लक्ष्मणं सीता गच्छ जीनीहि राघवम्।।3.45.1।।

Hearing in the forest a cry of distress that sounded like her husband’s voice, Sītā said to Lakṣmaṇa, “Go—find out what has happened to Rāghava (Rāma).”

Verse 3.45.2

न हि मे हृदयं स्थाने जीवितं वाऽवतिष्ठति।क्रोशतः परमार्तस्य श्रुतश्शब्दो मया भृशम्।।3.45.2।।आक्रन्दमानं तु वने भ्रातरं त्रातुमर्हसि।

In this great forest, the rākṣasas who delight in violence utter all kinds of deceptive talk; Vaidehī, you should not trouble yourself with such words.

Verse 3.45.3

तं क्षिप्रमभिधाव त्वं भ्रातरं शरणैषिणम्।।3.45.3।।रक्षसां वशमापन्नं सिंहानामिव गोवृषम्।

O Maithilī, it is no wonder that among women such unfitting words are spoken; this is said to be the nature of women, as is seen in the world.

Verse 3.45.4

न जगाम तथोक्तस्तु भ्रातुराज्ञाय शासनम्।।3.45.4।।तमुवाच ततस्तत्र कुपिता जनकात्मजा।

I think you welcome his calamity; you bear no affection for your brother. That is why you stand at ease, not even turning your gaze toward that radiant one.

Verse 3.45.5

सौमित्रे मित्ररूपेण भ्रातुस्त्वमसि शत्रुवत्।।3.45.5।।यस्त्वमस्यामवस्थायां भ्रातरं नाभिपत्स्यसे।

I will drink sharp poison; I will enter fire. But I will not touch any man other than Rāghava—even with my foot.

Verse 3.45.6

इच्छसि त्वं विनश्यन्तं रामं लक्ष्मण मत्कृते।।3.45.6।।लोभात्त्वं मत्कृते नूनं नानुगच्छसि राघवम्।

Thus reproaching Lakṣmaṇa, Sītā—overcome with sorrow—began to weep, and in her grief struck her own belly with both hands.

Verse 3.45.7

व्यसनं ते प्रियं मन्ये स्नेहो भ्रातरिनास्तिते।।3.45.7।।तेन तिष्ठसि विश्रब्धंतमपश्यन्महाद्युतिम्।

Seeing the large-eyed Sītā in a pitiable state—downcast and weeping—Saumitrī sought to console her; yet Sītā spoke no further to her husband’s brother.

Verse 3.45.8

किं हि संशयमापन्ने तस्मिन्निह मया भवेत्।।3.45.8।। कर्तव्यमिह तिष्ठन्त्या यत्प्रधानस्त्वमागतः।

When he—on whose account you chiefly came here—has fallen into peril, what possible use is there in your staying here with me? What duty can I accomplish by remaining here, when your foremost obligation is to him?

Verse 3.45.9

इति ब्रुवाणां वैदेहीं बाष्पशोकपरिप्लुताम्।।3.45.9।।अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणस्त्रस्तां सीतां मृगवधूमिव।

As Vaidehī spoke thus—overwhelmed by tears and grief, frightened like a doe—Lakṣmaṇa replied to the trembling Sītā.

Verse 3.45.10

पन्नगासुरगन्धर्वदेवमानुषराक्षसैः।।3.45.10।।अशक्यस्तव वैदेहि भर्ता जेतुं न संशयः।

O Vaidehī, there is no doubt: your husband cannot be overcome by nāgas, asuras, gandharvas, gods, humans, or rākṣasas.

Verse 3.45.11

देवि देवमनुष्येषु गन्धर्वेषु पतत्रिषु।।3.45.11।।राक्षसेषु पिशाचेषु किन्नरेषु मृगेषु च।दानवेषु च घोरेषु स न विद्येत शोभने।।3.45.12।।यो रामं प्रतियुध्येत समरे वासवोपमम्।

O radiant lady, among gods and humans, among gandharvas and birds, among rākṣasas, piśācas, and kinnaras, even among beasts, and even among dreadful dānavas—there exists none who could face Rāma in battle, he who in war is like Vāsava (Indra).

Verse 3.45.12

देवि देवमनुष्येषु गन्धर्वेषु पतत्रिषु।।3.45.11।।राक्षसेषु पिशाचेषु किन्नरेषु मृगेषु च।दानवेषु च घोरेषु स न विद्येत शोभने।।3.45.12।।यो रामं प्रतियुध्येत समरे वासवोपमम्।

Rāma is unassailable in battle; it is not right for you to speak so. And without Rāghava, I cannot bring myself to leave you alone in this forest.

Verse 3.45.13

अवध्यस्समरे रामो नैवं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि।।3.45.13।।न त्वामस्मिन्वने हातुमुत्सहे राघवं विना।

His strength is irresistible—even the mighty with all their power cannot check it; not even the three worlds fully mobilized, together with their lords and their divine hosts.

Verse 3.45.14

अनिवार्यं बलं तस्य बलैर्बलवतामपि।।3.45.14।।त्रिभिर्लोकैस्समुद्युक्तैस्सेश्वरैरपि सामरैः।

Let your heart be at peace; cast off this grief. Your husband will soon return, having slain that excellent deer.

Verse 3.45.15

हृदयं निर्वृतं तेऽस्तुसन्तापस्त्यज्यतामयम्।।3.45.15।।आगमिष्यति ते भर्ता श्रीघ्रं हत्वा मृगोत्तमम्।

And that voice is surely not his true voice; someone has fashioned it through illusion. That is the rākṣasa’s māyā—like a ‘city of the gandharvas,’ appearing real though unreal.

Verse 3.45.16

न च तस्य स्वरो व्यक्तं मायया केन चित्कृतः।गन्धर्वनगरप्रख्या माया सा तस्य रक्षसः।।3.45.16।।

O Vaidehī, O fair-hipped lady, the great-souled Rāma has entrusted you to me as a sacred charge; I cannot bring myself to abandon you here.

Verse 3.45.17

न्यासभूतासि वैदेहि न्यस्ता मयि महात्मना।।3.45.17।।रामेण त्वं वरारोहे न त्वां त्यक्तुमिहोत्सहे।

O Vaidehī, by Khara’s death—and by the destruction at Janasthāna—we have incurred the enmity of these night-roaming rākṣasas.

Verse 3.45.18

कृतवैराश्च वैदेहि वयमेतैर्निशाचरैः।।3.45.18।।खरस्य निधनादेव जनस्थानवधं प्रति।

O Vaidehī, we have indeed incurred the enmity of these night-wandering demons due to the slaying of Khara and the destruction of Janasthāna.

Verse 3.45.19

राक्षसा विविधा वाचो विसृजन्ति महावने।।3.45.19।।हिंसाविहारा वैदेहि न चिन्तयितुमर्हसि।

My heart—and even my very life—does not stay steady; I clearly heard a voice crying out in extreme distress. You must go and protect your brother, who is wailing in pain in the forest.

Verse 3.45.20

लक्ष्मणेनैवमुक्ता सा क्रुद्धा संरक्तलोचना।।3.45.20।।अब्रवीत्परुषं वाक्यं लक्ष्मणं सत्यवादिनम्।

Thus addressed by Lakṣmaṇa, she grew angry, her eyes reddening, and spoke harsh words to Lakṣmaṇa, the one known for speaking truth.

Verse 3.45.21

अनार्याकरणारम्भ नृशंस कुलपांसन।।3.45.21।।अहं तव प्रियं मन्ये रामस्य व्यसनं महत्।

You who set out upon ignoble conduct—cruel one, disgrace to your lineage—I think this great calamity that has befallen Rāma is pleasing to you.

Verse 3.45.22

रामस्य व्यसनं दृष्ट्वा तेनैतानि प्रभाषसे।।3.45.22।।नैतच्चित्रं सपत्नेषु पापं लक्ष्मण यद्भवेत्।त्वद्विधेषु नृशंसेषु नित्यं प्रच्छन्नचारिषु।।3.45.23।।

Seeing Rāma’s misfortune, is that why you speak these words? It is no wonder, Lakṣmaṇa, if sin arises among rivals—especially in cruel men like you who always move about in concealment.

Verse 3.45.23

रामस्य व्यसनं दृष्ट्वा तेनैतानि प्रभाषसे।।3.45.22।।नैतच्चित्रं सपत्नेषु पापं लक्ष्मण यद्भवेत्।त्वद्विधेषु नृशंसेषु नित्यं प्रच्छन्नचारिषु।।3.45.23।।

You are utterly wicked: alone you follow Rāma in the forest while he is alone—concealing your true intent, perhaps even sent by Bharata for my sake.

Verse 3.45.24

सुदुष्टस्त्वं वने राममेकमेकोऽनुगच्छसि।मम हेतोः प्रतिच्छन्नः प्रयुक्तोभरतेन वा।।3.45.24।।

That purpose—whether yours or Bharata’s—will not succeed, O Saumitrī. Having taken refuge in my husband, dark as the blue lotus and lotus-petaled in his gaze, how could I desire any other man?

Verse 3.45.25

तन्नसिध्यति सौमित्रे तव वा भरतस्य वा।कथमिन्दीवरश्यामं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम्।।3.45.25।।उपसंश्रित्य भर्तारं कामयेयं पृथग्जनम्।

Before your very eyes, O Saumitrī, I will give up my life—there is no doubt. Without Rāma, I cannot live on this earth even for a moment.

Verse 3.45.26

समक्षं तव सौमित्रे प्राणांस्त्यक्षे न संशयः।रामं विना क्षणमपि न हि जीवामि भूतले।।3.45.26।।

Thus addressed by Sītā with harsh, shuddering words, Lakṣmaṇa—self-controlled—spoke to Sītā with folded hands.

Verse 3.45.27

इत्युक्तः परुषं वाक्यं सीतया रोमहर्षणम्।।3.45.27।।अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणस्सीतां प्राञ्जलिर्विजितेन्द्रियः।

Addressed thus by Sītā with harsh words that caused horripilation, the self-controlled Lakṣmaṇa, with folded palms, spoke to Sītā.

Verse 3.45.28

उत्तरं नोत्सहे वक्तुं दैवतं भवती मम।।3.45.28।।वाक्यमप्रतिरूपं तु न चित्रं स्त्रीषु मैथिलि।स्वभावस्त्वेष नारीणामेवं लोकेषु दृश्यते।।3.45.29।।

Run quickly to your brother who seeks refuge; he has fallen under the power of the rākṣasas, like a bull seized by lions.

Verse 3.45.29

उत्तरं नोत्सहे वक्तुं दैवतं भवती मम।।3.45.28।।वाक्यमप्रतिरूपं तु न चित्रं स्त्रीषु मैथिलि।स्वभावस्त्वेष नारीणामेवं लोकेषु दृश्यते।।3.45.29।।

I do not have the heart to reply in kind; to me, you are as a deity worthy of reverence.

Verse 3.45.30

विमुक्तधर्माश्चपलास्तीक्ष्णा भेदकराः स्त्रियः।न सहे हीदृशं वाक्यं वैदेहि जनकात्मजे।।3.45.30।।श्रोत्रयोरुभयोर्मेद्य तप्तनाराचसन्निभम्।

When women abandon dharma, they become fickle, sharp, and wounding. O Vaidehī, daughter of Janaka, I cannot bear such words—piercing both ears like red-hot arrows.

Verse 3.45.31

उपशृण्वन्तु मे सर्वे साक्षिभूता वनेचराः।।3.45.31।।न्यायवादी यथान्यायमुक्तोऽहं परुषं त्वया।

Let all the forest-dwellers who stand as witnesses hear me: I speak according to justice, yet you have addressed me with harsh and unjust words.

Verse 3.45.32

धिक्त्वामद्य प्रणश्य त्वं यन्मामेवं विशङ्कसे।स्त्रीत्वलदुष्टं स्वभावेन गुरुवाक्ये व्यवस्थितम्।।3.45.32।।

Shame on you today—may you come to ruin for doubting me so. I stood firm in my elder’s command, yet you suspect me, driven by a flawed disposition that, in anger, he ascribes to ‘womanhood’.

Verse 3.45.33

गमिष्ये यत्र काकुत्स्थ स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु वरानने।।3.45.33।।रक्षन्तु त्वां विशालाक्षि समग्रा वनदेवताः।

I will go wherever the Kakutstha (Rāma) is. Blessings be upon you, O fair-faced one. O large-eyed lady, may all the deities of the forest protect you.

Verse 3.45.34

निमित्तानि च घोराणि यानि प्रादुर्भवन्ति मे।।3.45.34।।अपि त्वां सह रामेण पश्येयं पुनरागतः।न वेत्येतन्न जानामि वैदेहि जनकात्मजे।।3.45.35।।

Dreadful omens are appearing to me.

Verse 3.45.35

निमित्तानि च घोराणि यानि प्रादुर्भवन्ति मे।।3.45.34।।अपि त्वां सह रामेण पश्येयं पुनरागतः।न वेत्येतन्न जानामि वैदेहि जनकात्मजे।।3.45.35।।

When I return, shall I see you again together with Rāma—or not? This I do not know, O Vaidehī, daughter of Janaka.

Verse 3.45.36

लक्ष्मणेनैवमुक्ता सा रुदन्ती जनकात्मजा।प्रत्युवाच ततो वाक्यं तीव्रं बाष्पपरिप्लुता।।3.45.36।।

Thus addressed by Lakṣmaṇa, Janaka’s daughter began to weep; then, her eyes flooded with tears, she replied with a bitter, intense speech.

Verse 3.45.37

गोदावरीं प्रवेक्ष्यामि विना रामेण लक्ष्मण।अबन्धिष्येऽथवा त्यक्ष्ये विषमे देहमात्मनः।।3.45.37।।

Though instructed and fully aware of his brother’s command, he did not depart. Then, there on the spot, Janaka’s daughter Sītā—angered—addressed him.

Verse 3.45.38

पिबाम्यहं विषं तीक्ष्णं प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्।न त्वहं राघवादन्यं पदापि पुरुषं स्पृशे।।3.45.38।।

O Saumitrī, though wearing the guise of a friend, you are like an enemy to your brother; for in this crisis you do not go to him to aid him.

Verse 3.45.39

इति लक्ष्मणमाक्रुश्य सीता दुःखसमन्विता।पाणिभ्यां रुदती दुःखादुदरं प्रजघान ह।।3.45.39।।

O Lakṣmaṇa, you wish Rāma to perish for my sake. Surely, out of desire for me, you do not go after Rāghava.

Verse 3.45.40

तामार्तरूपां विमना रुदन्तीं सौमित्रिरालोक्य विशालनेत्राम्।आश्वासयामास न चैव भर्तु स्तं भ्रातरंकिञ्चिदुवाच सीता।।3.45.40।।

When he has fallen into peril, what purpose is served by my staying here? You came here chiefly for his sake—so what duty is fulfilled by remaining with me?

Verse 3.45.41

Without Rāma, O Lakṣmaṇa, I will enter the Godāvarī; or I will hang myself; or, from some perilous height, I will cast off my body.