Sarga 21

Verse 1

ततस्सागरवेलायांदर्भानास्तीर्यराघवः ।अञ्जलिंप्राङ्मुखःकृत्वाप्रतिशिश्येमहोदधेः ।।6.21.1।।बाहुंभुजगभोगाभमुपधायारिसूदनः ।

Then on the seashore Rāghava spread darbha-grass; facing east, he joined his palms in reverent añjali and lay down by the great ocean, resting upon his arm coiled like a serpent—he, the slayer of foes.

Verse 2

वरकाञ्चनकेयूरमुक्ताप्रवरभूषणैः ।।6.21.2।।भुजैःपरमनारीणामभिमृष्टमनेकदा ।।6.21.3।।

Those shoulders—adorned with superb armlets and ornaments of fine gold and pearls—had been caressed many times by noble women.

Verse 3

वरकाञ्चनकेयूरमुक्ताप्रवरभूषणैः ।।6.21.2।।भुजैःपरमनारीणामभिमृष्टमनेकदा ।।6.21.3।।

Those shoulders—adorned with superb armlets and ornaments of fine gold and pearls—had been caressed many times by noble women.

Verse 4

चन्दनागुरुभिश्चैवपुरस्तादधिवासितम् ।बालसूर्यप्रकाशैश्चन्दनैरुपशोभितम् ।।6.21.4।।

It had earlier been perfumed with sandalwood and agaru, and made radiant by sandal-paste shining like the light of the rising sun.

Verse 5

शयनेचोत्तमाङ्गेनसीतायाश्शोभितंपुरा ।तक्षकस्येवसम्भोगगङ्गाजलनिषेचितम् ।।6.21.5।।

Formerly, upon the bed, it was graced by Sītā’s noble presence, as though bathed in Gaṅgā-water in a union like that of Takṣaka, the great serpent.

Verse 6

संयुगेयुगसङ्काशंशत्रूणांशोकवर्धनम् ।सुहृदानन्दनंदीर्घंसागरान्तव्यपाश्रयम् ।।6.21.6।।

In battle he was like a yuga in might; he increased the enemies’ grief, delighted friends, and stood vast—like the earth bounded by the encircling ocean.

Verse 7

असत्याचपुनस्सव्यंज्याघातविगतत्वचम् ।दक्षिणोदक्षिणंबाहुंमहापरिघसन्निभम् ।।6.21.7।।गोसहस्रप्रदारंमुपधायमहत्भुजम् ।अद्यमेमरणंवादतरणंसागरस्यवा ।।6.21.8।।तिरामोमतिंकृत्वामहाबाहुर्महोदधिम् ।अधिशिश्येचविधिवत्प्रयतोनियतोमुनिः ।।6.21.9।।

His left arm had grown calloused by the repeated snap of the bowstring, and his right arm—like a massive iron bar—had been worn by the giving of thousands of cows. Resolving, “Today let there be either my death or the crossing of the ocean,” the mighty-armed Rāma lay down before the great sea, in due rite—self-restrained and disciplined like a sage.

Verse 8

असत्याचपुनस्सव्यंज्याघातविगतत्वचम् ।दक्षिणोदक्षिणंबाहुंमहापरिघसन्निभम् ।।6.21.7।।गोसहस्रप्रदारंमुपधायमहत्भुजम् ।अद्यमेमरणंवादतरणंसागरस्यवा ।।6.21.8।।तिरामोमतिंकृत्वामहाबाहुर्महोदधिम् ।अधिशिश्येचविधिवत्प्रयतोनियतोमुनिः ।।6.21.9।।

Bracing his great arm—wearied as though by the giving away of thousands of cows—Rāma resolved: “Let it be either my death today, or the crossing of the ocean.”

Verse 9

असत्याचपुनस्सव्यंज्याघातविगतत्वचम् ।दक्षिणोदक्षिणंबाहुंमहापरिघसन्निभम् ।।6.21.7।।गोसहस्रप्रदारंमुपधायमहत्भुजम् ।अद्यमेमरणंवादतरणंसागरस्यवा ।।6.21.8।।तिरामोमतिंकृत्वामहाबाहुर्महोदधिम् ।अधिशिश्येचविधिवत्प्रयतोनियतोमुनिः ।।6.21.9।।

Having fixed his mind upon the mighty ocean, the great-armed Rāma lay down in due observance—self-restrained and disciplined, like a sage.

Verse 10

तस्यरामस्यसुप्तस्यकुशास्तीर्णेमहीतले ।नियमादप्रमत्तस्यनिशास्तिस्रोऽतिचक्रमुः ।।6.21.10।।

As Rāma lay on the ground upon a bed of kuśa grass—ever vigilant through his vowed observance—three nights swiftly passed.

Verse 11

सत्रिरात्रोषितस्तत्रनयज्ञोधर्मवत्सलः ।उपासततदारामस्सागरंसरितांपतिम् ।।6.21.11।।

There, after staying three nights, Rāma—politically discerning and devoted to dharma—continued to wait upon the ocean, lord of rivers.

Verse 12

नचदर्शयतेरूपंमन्दोरामस्यसागरः ।प्रयतेनापिरामेणयथार्हमभिपूजितः ।।6.21.12।।

Yet the dull ocean did not reveal itself to Rāma; though self-restrained, Rāma honored it duly and with proper reverence, it still did not appear.

Verse 13

समुद्रस्यततःक्रुद्धोरामोरक्तान्तलोचनः ।समीपस्थमुवाचेदंलक्ष्मणंशुभलक्ष्मणम् ।।6.21.13।।

Then Rāma, angered at the ocean, the corners of his eyes reddened, spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa standing nearby, marked with auspicious signs.

Verse 14

अवलेपस्समुद्रस्यनदर्शयतियत्स्वयम् ।प्रशमश्चक्षमाचैवआर्जवंप्रियवादिता ।।6.21.14।।असामर्थ्यंफल्नात्येतेनिर्गुणेषुसतांगुणाः ।

“The ocean’s arrogance is such that it does not present itself of its own accord. Calmness, forbearance, straightforwardness, and gentle speech—these virtues of the good, when shown to the unworthy, are taken as mere weakness.”

Verse 15

आत्मप्रशंसिनंदृष्टंधृष्टंविपरिथावकम् ।सर्वत्रोत्सृष्टदण्डंचलोकस्सत्कुरुतेनरम् ।।6.21.15।।

“One sees the world honoring a man who boasts of himself—bold to the point of insolence, acting perversely, and brandishing punishment everywhere.”

Verse 16

नसाम्नाशक्यतेकीर्तिर्नसाम्नाशक्यतेयशः ।प्राप्तुंलक्ष्मण लोकेऽस्मिन् ञ्जयोवारणमूर्धनि ।।6.21.16।।

“Lakṣmaṇa, in this world neither fame nor renown is gained merely by conciliation; nor is victory at the head of battle won by it alone.”

Verse 17

अद्यमद्बाणनिर्भग्नैर्मकरैर्मकरानिलयम् ।निरुद्धतोयंसौमित्रेप्लवभदिःपश्यसर्वतः ।।6.21.17।।

“Saumitri, look: today the ocean—abode of the makaras—has its makaras shattered by my arrows; they leap and float about, while the waters surge and splash on every side.”

Verse 18

महाभोगानिमत्स्यानांकरिणांचकराह ।भोगिनांपश्यनागानांमयाछिन्नानिलक्ष्मण ।।6.21.18।।

“Lakṣmaṇa, see: great fishes, sea-elephants, and mighty serpents with huge coils—cut apart by me—are strewn here.”

Verse 19

सशङ्खशुक्तिजालंसमीनमकरंतथा ।अद्ययुद्धेनमहतासमुद्रंपरिशोषये ।।6.21.19।।

“Today, by this great assault, I will dry up the ocean—along with its nets of conches and shells, and with its fishes and makaras as well.”

Verse 20

क्षमयाहिसमायुक्तंमामयंमकरालयः ।असमर्थंविजानातिधिक् क्षमामीदृशेजने ।।6.21.20।।

“Because I have remained forbearing, this ocean—home of the makaras—takes me to be powerless. Shame on such forbearance, when it is mistaken by such a one as weakness!”

Verse 21

नदर्शयतिसाम्नामेसागरोरूपमात्मनः ।।6.21.21।।चापमानयसौमित्रेशरांश्चाशीविषोपमान् ।सागरंशोषयिष्यामिपद् भ्यांयान्तुप्लवङ्गमाः ।।6.21.22।।

“The Ocean does not reveal his true disposition to me, even when addressed with conciliation. O Saumitrī, bring the bow and the arrows like venomous serpents; I shall dry up the ocean—let the vānaras then go on foot.”

Verse 22

नदर्शयतिसाम्नामेसागरोरूपमात्मनः ।।6.21.21।।चापमानयसौमित्रेशरांश्चाशीविषोपमान् ।सागरंशोषयिष्यामिपद् भ्यांयान्तुप्लवङ्गमाः ।।6.21.22।।

“The Ocean does not reveal his true disposition to me, even when addressed with conciliation. O Saumitrī, bring the bow and the arrows like venomous serpents; I shall dry up the ocean—let the vānaras then go on foot.”

Verse 23

अद्याक्षोभ्यमपिक्रुद्धःक्षोभयिष्यामिसागरम् ।वेलासुकृतमर्यादंसहस्रोर्मिसमाकुलम् ।।6.21.23।।निर्मर्यादंकरिष्यामिसायायिकैर्वरुणालयम् ।महार्णवंक्षोभयिष्येमहादानवसङ्कुलम् ।।6.21.24।।

Today, in wrath, I shall shake the ocean—though he is said to be unshakable—he who keeps within the bounds set by the shore, teeming with thousands of waves. With my arrows I will drive Varuṇa’s abode beyond its limits; I will churn that vast sea, crowded with mighty beings.

Verse 24

अद्याक्षोभ्यमपिक्रुद्धःक्षोभयिष्यामिसागरम् ।वेलासुकृतमर्यादंसहस्रोर्मिसमाकुलम् ।।6.21.23।।निर्मर्यादंकरिष्यामिसायायिकैर्वरुणालयम् ।महार्णवंक्षोभयिष्येमहादानवसङ्कुलम् ।।6.21.24।।

Today, in wrath, I shall shake the ocean—though he is said to be unshakable—he who keeps within the bounds set by the shore, teeming with thousands of waves. With my arrows I will drive Varuṇa’s abode beyond its limits; I will churn that vast sea, crowded with mighty beings.

Verse 25

एवमुक्त्वाधनुष्पाणिःक्रोधविस्फारितेक्षणः ।बभूवरामोदुर्धर्षोयुगान्तानगिरिवज्वलन् ।।6.21.25।।

Having spoken thus, Rāma—bow in hand, eyes widened in wrath—became unassailable, blazing like the fire of the world’s end.

Verse 26

सम्पीड्यचधनुर्घोरंकम्पयित्वाशरैर्जगत् ।मुमोचविशिखानुग्रान्वज्रानिवशतक्रतुः ।।6.21.26।।

Bending that dreadful bow and making the world tremble with his arrows, he loosed fierce shafts—like Śatakratu (Indra) hurling thunderbolts.

Verse 27

तेज्वलन्तोमहावेगास्तेजसासायकोत्तमाः ।प्रविशन्तिसमुद्रस्यसलिलंत्रस्तपन्नगम् ।।6.21.27।।

Blazing with radiance and rushing with great speed, those superb arrows plunged into the ocean’s waters, terrifying the serpents within.

Verse 28

तोयवेगस्समुद्रस्यसनक्रमकरोमहान् ।सम्बभूवमहाघोरस्समारुतरवस्तदा ।।6.21.28।।

Then the ocean’s surge became immense and dreadful—filled with crocodiles and makaras—roaring with the wind as it heaved in turmoil.

Verse 29

महोर्मिकुलाविततश्शङ्खजालसमावृतः ।सधूमःपरिवृत्तोर्मिस्सहसासीन्महोदधिः ।।6.21.29।।

All at once the great ocean—its vast billows spread out and its waters strewn with conches and shells—became smoke-laden, with its waves swirling and heaving in agitation.

Verse 30

व्यथिताःपन्नगाश्चासदनीप्तास्यादीप्तलोचनाः ।दानवाश्चमहावीर्याःपाताळतलवासिनः ।।6.21.30।।

The serpents too were distressed—blazing-hooded, bright-eyed—and the mighty Dānavas who dwell in the levels of Pātāla were likewise shaken.

Verse 31

ऊर्मयस्सिन्धुराजस्यसनक्रमकरास्तथा ।विन्द्यमन्दरसङ्काशास्समुत्पेतुस्सहस्रशः ।।6.21.31।।

Then thousands of waves of the ocean, bearing crocodiles and makaras, surged up—like the peaks of Vindhya and Mandara.

Verse 32

आघूर्णिततरङ्गौघस्सम्भ्रान्तोरगराक्षसः ।उद्वर्तितमहाग्राहस्संवृत्तस्सलिलाशयः ।।6.21.32।।

The watery expanse became a tumult: its mass of waves whirled, nāgas and rākṣasas were thrown into confusion, and great crocodiles were churned up and cast about.

Verse 33

ततस्तुतंराघवमुग्रवेगंप्रकर्षमाणंधनुरप्रमेयम् ।सौमित्रिरुत्पत्यसमुच्छवसन्तंमामेतिचोक्त्वादनुराललम्बे ।।6.21.33।।

Then Saumitri sprang up toward Rāghava, who—moving with fierce speed—was drawing his immeasurable bow, breathing hard; and saying, “Enough—come back to yourself,” he seized hold of the bow.