Aranya Kandam

42. Sita Sees Golden Deer

[Ravana and Mareecha reach the hermitage of Rama. Mareecha turns in to an attractive golden deer. After lot of effort Sita sees him and gets attracted to him.]

After telling these distasteful words to Ravana, Mareecha with distress said, "let us go" due to his fear to the lord of the Rakshasas. 42.1

"If he who carries the bows and arrows sees me once again, that one would raise his weapon and make my life to come to an end." 42.2

"Whoever exhibits his bravery before Rama would not return back alive. You, who have been hit by the Danda of Yama, may please know that he is another form of Yama." 42.3

"Oh lad with a bad soul, what can I possibly do for I am going now, and let good come to you, Oh Rakshasa." 42.4

Due to his words Ravana became very happy, hugged and embraced him tightly and told the following. 42.5

"Excellent Mareecha, You are now acting according my wish and that is appropriate. Earlier you were someone else and now you are really Mareecha." 42.6

"Get in to this flying chariot which is decked with gems and which is drawn by devils with face of donkeys and go along with me." 42.7

"Once you tempt Vaidehi, you can go wherever you want and when no one is there I would make Sita the princess of Mithila to accompany me." 42.8

When Ravana and Mareecha ascended that chariot which was like an airplane, they departed from that hermitage quickly. 42.9

Then they saw cities, forests, mountains streams, kingdoms which were passing by. 42.10

Mareecha and the king of Rakshasas, after reaching Dandakaranya, saw the hermitage of Rama. 42.11

After getting down from the chariot decorated with golden ornaments, Ravana helped Mareecha by his hand and told him. 42.12

"This hermitage surrounded by Banana plants is the place for which we have come. And please do the act for which we have come here." 42.13

Hearing the words of Ravana that Rakshasa Mareecha became a deer and started roaming near the entrance of hermitage of Rama. 42.14

He assumed a form which was wonderful to look at, with antlers decorated by excellent gems and face dappled with white and black spots. 42.15

The mouth of the deer was blue like a blue sapphire, with mouth like red pink lotus petals, ears like blue lotus and it was having a raised neck. 42.16

His white stomach was shining like jasmine flowers and like a moon as well as diamond, the side part of the body which was golden in colour was shining like Madhuka flowers, rest of the body was shining like filaments of lotus flowers and hooves were like Vaidoorya stones and its legs were slim and strong and in good shape. 42.17

Its multi coloured tail was pointing upward shining like rainbow and the animal had a shining complexion with inlaid gems of many kinds. 42.18

Within a moment Mareecha transformed himself in to a very pretty deer and the forest and also hermitage of Rama was shining due to his luster. 42.19

That Rakshasa assuming a mind bewitching form with a aim of tempting Vaidehi, and had colours of different ores and he freely moved about in grass lands feeding grass. 42.20-42.21

That variegated deer with hundreds of silver spots was lovely to look at and wandered about nibbling young leaves of trees and shoots. 42.22

It went to the Banana groove and moved here and there near the Karnikara trees and moved slowly with an aim of stealing the attention of Sita. 42.23

That great deer, with its back like a red lotus flower, comfortably wandered near the hermitage of Rama. 42.24

That best deer went from there but again came back and after swiftly going from there it retuned there speedily. 42.25

It played at one place, sat there for some time and with impatience came back and went along with a deer herd. 42.26

That Rakshasa who has become a deer, followed other deer herds but again came back, with the desire of being seen by Sita it jumped, sprang and ran round in circles. 42.27

The other animals who were wandering in the forest came near and sniffed this deer ran away in all the ten directions. 42.28

Since he was a Rakshasa the Mareecha was interested in killing other animals of the forest and for protecting his intention, he did not kill them to feed. 42.29

At that time, Vaidehi with auspicious looks, who was busy plucking flowers from trees, came near that place. 42.30

The lady with intoxicating eyes went to pluck flowers Karnika, Asoka and mango trees, since she who had dazzling eyes wanted to pluck flowers. 42.31

That divine damsel who did not deserve to live in the forest saw the deer which was fully decorated by gems, with pearls inlaid all over the body. 42.32

She with pretty lips and teeth saw that deer of deception, and that wide eyed damsel was wonder struck and stared at that deer with affection. 42.33

That deceptive deer saw the wife of Rama who was illuminating that forest and wonderfully moved around again. 42.34

Since she had not seen earlier a deer decorated by several gems, that daughter of Janaka experienced very great surprise. 42.35

This is the end of Forty Second Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

43. Sita's Request for Deer

[Sita requests Rama for the deer and Lakshmana warns that it may be Mareecha. Rama decides to either bring the deer alive or dead. He requests Lakshmana to take care of Sita.]

Sita, the lady with good hips, one of flawless beauty, while plucking flowers saw that splendid deer which was of the colour of gold and silver and after seeing that was delighted shouted to draw the attention of Rama and Lakshmana who were standing fully armed. 43.1-43.2

When summoned by Vaidehi those tiger among men, Rama and Lakshmana looked around and when their attention was drawn to it, saw the animal. 43.3

Lakshmana when he saw that animal became doubtful and told Rama "I do not think that animal is anybody except Mareecha." 43.4

"Many kings, who came for hunting in the forest for joy, were killed by this malicious imposter who can change his form at will." 43.5

"Oh tiger among men, this deceitful one has taken the form of a radiant deer of illusion which is like the city of Gandharwas that does not exist. 43.6

"Oh Raghava, nowhere does this type of deer decorated by gems exist and oh lord of the world, this is definitely an act of cheating." 43.7

When Lakshmana was telling like this, that lady with a pretty smile Sita whose mind was captivated by the skin of the animal told. 43.8

"Oh husband, this pretty deer has stolen my mind. Oh Great hero, if you bring it to me, we can play with it." 43.9

"In this hermitage of ours there are many deer walking about in groups along with antelopes and Yaks." 43.10

"Oh very strong one, spotted antelopes in groups, monkeys as well as Kinnaras which are good to look at which steal the minds are also moving about." 43.11

"Oh king I have never before seen a similar looking great deer, which is pretty, glittering and patient." 43.12

"It has peculiar body parts of different colours and has been decorated by various gems. It is shining and illuminating the forest like moon." 43.13

"What a pretty form, what rich looks, what a shine and what a pretty sound it produces? This deer with his varied type of body has stolen my mind." 43.14

"If you are able to catch it while it is living, it would be a great surprise and it will generate wonder of wonders." 43.15

"After our exile is over, this deer, when we go back to the kingdom, will add beauty to your private apartment." 43.16
"Oh king, this deer with its pretty form would create surprise in Bharatha, my mother in law, you as well as me." 43.17

"If this great and pretty deer cannot be caught when it is alive, then Oh tiger among men, it's pretty hide would become mine." 43.18

"If this deer is killed then I would use its hide of golden colour on a cushion like grass and sit on it very comfortably." 43.19

"This wish coming from a lady may sound passionate, terrible and not desirable but this animal's beauty creates great surprise in me." 43.20

Its golden colour, horns inlaid with gems, its colour resembling young sun, it looks that resemble the path of the stars, created great sense of wonder in Rama also. 43.21

Rama after hearing Sita's words and after seeing the greatly wonderful deer, attracted by its form and encouraged by Sita, Rama told these happy words to Lakshmana. 43.22-43.23

"See Lakshmana how Sita desires me to go after the deer, which due to its great looks does not appear to live in the forest. There is no deer of this beauty in either, the garden of Indra or Chaithraratha which is Khubera's garden and how can we find such an animal on earth." 43.24-43.25

"Its hairs from top to bottom or from bottom to top are beautiful and the golden drops on the body of this deer are indeed beautiful." 43.26

"Please see its outstretched tongue which shines like a flame of fire and you can see it like a streak of lightning falling from the cloud." 43.27

"Its face is shining with the colour of sapphire; its belly is having the shine of conch and whose mind will not be tempted by this most elegant animal." 43.28

"Oh Lord Lakshmana, whose mind would not be filled with wonder on seeing this deer which glitters in its golden colour and adorned with different coloured gems?" 43.29

"Oh Lakshmana, kings who come here to hunt for meat or just for fun may kill this great deer in this great forest." 43.30

"In the dense forest, wealth consisting of gems, minerals, gold and different type of ores would be collected with difficulty." 43.31

"Oh Lakshmana, the essence of all that forest wealth, promotes the growth of treasuries, like the things that are desired by the mind of Shukra fills his treasury." 43.32

"Oh Lakshmana, one who wishes for materialistic fulfilments of his desire, moves about without thinking and that is why economists are called materialistic people." 43.33

"Vaidehi with a pretty middle would sit along with me on the golden colour hide of this excellent gem of a deer." 43.34

"I do not think that hide of a black spotted deer or sheep or goat is not comparable to this hide in smoothness." 43.35

"This great deer and divine deer seen on the sky are both divine this being deer of earth and that deer of heavens." 43.36

"Oh Lakshmana, if what you say is true that this is not a deer but a transformed Rakshasa, then also, I should bring death to it." 43.37

"That cruel and evil minded Mareecha, while moving in the forest has tortured and harassed several great sages." 43.38

"Several kings, who were great archers hunting in the forest, were killed by him while they were waking up and so this deer deserves to be killed." 43.39

"Previously Vatapi used to enter the stomach of saints, humiliate and kill them like the female mare calf killing its mother while in womb." 43.40

"After a long time that Vatapi entered greedily in to the stomach of the great sage Agasthya, who had great luster and was made in to food by him." 43.41

"When after he was eaten he wanted to rise up in the stomach, taking his real form that great sage with a smile told." 43.42

"Oh Vatapi in this world of living beings, without caring for them, you insulted many great Brahmins with your power and on that account you are being digested by me." 43.43

"Oh Lakshmanan, I hope this one is not like Vatapi. He may underestimate me for my qualities of Dharma and control over senses and I would kill him like Agasthya killed Vatapi." 43.44

"Oh son of the Raghu clan, you be here ready and alert and protect Mythili because the actions that we do in future depends on her." 43.45

"Oh Lakshmana, I would either kill or catch this deer and I will bring the deer speedily back." 43.46

"Oh Lakshmana see how Sita desires greatly to the hide of that deer and as the hide of the deer is important, I will not allow the deer to live." 43.47

"Oh Lakshmana, you be vigilant in the hermitage and look after Sita and I would kill that deer by just one arrow and after getting his hide, I would return quickly." 43.48-43.49

"Oh Intelligent Lakshmana, you take care of Mythili, doubting that danger would come from all directions at all times and also the king of birds would go round the hermitage protecting her. 43.50

This is the end of Forty Third Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

 
44. Mareecha Killed

[Mareecha makes Rama run behind him to a long distance. Rama kills the Golden deer. It takes its original Rakshasa form shouts "Oh Sita, Oh Lakshmana" imitating the voice of Rama. Rama is worried and starts back.]

After the son of Raghu clan instructed his brother like this, he tied to his waist a golden sword with great luster. 44.1

That warrior of unmatched valour in this world took his bow which was like an ornament to him and ties two quivers on his back after bending them thrice. 44.2

Seeing the great king coming towards him due to fear and with an aim of deceiving him, the deer disappeared first and again came before him and Rama after tying the sword securely and lifting the bow followed him quickly. 44.3

Rama saw the shining animal in front of him and that one who held the bow saw that deer running ahead, again and again turning back and looking at him. It was running beyond the reach of his bow now and then and was tempting him. Suspecting it would be caught and being scared, it flew up in the sky. Being seen and not being seen at times in the forest, it looked like the moon of the autumn season surrounded by scattered clouds. 44.4-44.6

Mareecha who had assumed the form of a deer appeared very near at times and at others he appeared very off and appearing and disappearing and running away, he took far away from the hermitage. 44.7-44.8

That son of Kakustha clan became angry due to tiresomeness created by this tempting and sought a shade and waited in the green grass. 44.9

That Rakshasa who assumed the deer form, maddened Rama and was seen by him not far off but surrounded by many animals. 44.10

Feeling that Rama desired to catch him, that deer ran further to a far off place and out of fear for a moment disappeared. 44.11

Seeing it again far away coming out of a group of trees that greatly lustrous Rama decided to kill that deer. 44.12

Then the destroyer of enemies, that strong Rama became very angry, lifted an arrow which was shining like the Sun, joined it firmly with his bow, drew it with all his force and sent that arrow created by Brahma which travelled like a serpent aimed at that deer. 44.13-44.14

That great arrow tore the body of that Rakshasa in the deer form and reached the heart and pierced it. 44.15

Pierced by that arrow, that Rakshasa jumped to the height of a palm tree shouted in a loud way and fell on the floor almost dead. 44.16

Mareecha who was breathing his last gave up his false form and recollected the words of Ravana who wanted Lakshmana should also be sent away so that he can abduct Sita. 44.17-44.18
Realizing that proper time has come, he imitated the voice of Rama and shouted, "Hey Sita, Hey Lakshmana." 44.19

The matchless arrow of Rama stuck his vital parts and that Rakshasa gave up his deer form; assumed back his big body and gave up his life. 44.20

Seeing the horrible looking Rakshasa who was lying and moving his limbs on the ground drenched with blood, Rama remembered the words of Lakshmana and his mind went back to Sita. 44.21-44.22

"This is the magic of Mareecha as was clearly foretold by Lakshmana and in the same way as told by him, I have killed Mareecha." 44.23

"That Rakshasa Mareecha screamed in a loud manner, "Hey Sita, Hey Lakshmana" and then died. Having heard it, what would Sita be thinking, what would Lakshmana with great hands be thinking," and when the soul of Dharma Rama reflected this was he was greatly worried and stunned." 44.24-44.25

Because of killing the Rakshasa and because of his shouting that way before his death then Rama was greatly sad as well as scared and despondent 44.26

Then Rama killed another deer, collected its meat and departed quickly towards Janasthana. 44.27

This is the end of Forty Fourth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

45. Lakshmana in Search of Rama

[Janaki first requests Lakshmana to go and help his brother and when he refuses saying that his brother is very strong she tells that Lakshmana wants to possess her. Wounded by this Lakshmana decides to go in search of Rama.]

Hearing the sound of pain which was her husband's voice from the forest Sita told Lakshmana, "You go to Rama and find out what happened." 45.1

"My heart is trembling and my soul is not in place where it should be there after hearing the cry of anguish from the forest requesting for help. You ought to go to protect your brother." 45.2

"You run quickly there as your brother is requesting for help just like a bull which has been caught by a lion." 45.3

As per the instructions of his brother, he did not move from there and seeing that the very angry daughter of Janaka told him. 45.4

"Oh Son of Sumithra, you are an enemy of your brother in the form of a friend, for in this situation you are not going to help your brother." 45.5

"You desire for the destruction of Rama for my sake and I know for sure that you are not going to help Rama because of greed." 45.6

"I think that you do not have any love towards your brother and that is why you are standing here though Rama with great luster is not there." 45.7

"You are standing here without attending to the main duty for which you have come by not going there when he is in difficulty and what is the use of my being here?' 45.8

Saying like that Vaidehi stood there drowning in her tears due to great sorrow and Lakshmana told her, who was shivering like a female deer. 45.9

"Oh Vaidehi, there is no doubt that even devas, Gandharwas asuras, serpents and men cannot win over your husband." 45.10

"Oh auspicious one, Rama is like Indra in war and cannot be faced by devas, Men, Gandharwas, birds, Rakshasas, devils, Kinnaras, wild animals and horrible asuras." 45.11-45.12

"Rama cannot be killed in war and so you should not talk like this and I am not interested to go, leaving you alone here." 45.13

"He cannot be resisted by even mighty strong people or by well-equipped armies and in the three worlds there is no one who can fight with him, even if they are helped by Gods." 45.14

"Relieve your heart and give up your sorrow, your husband would come back quickly after killing that great deer." 45.15

"It is clearly not his voice but one created by illusion by somebody like the city of Gandharwas, possibly by that Rakshasa." 45.16

"Oh Vaidehi. you have been deposited by Rama with me for safe keep; I am not willing to leave by leaving you here, oh blessed lady." 45.17

"Oh Vaidehi after we have killed Khara in Janasthana, we have developed enmity with the Rakshasas." 45.18

"In this great forest Rakshasas who wander torturing others speak in many voices and so you should not get worried." 45.19

Hearing these words, Sita became greatly enraged and with her eyes turning blood red, she told these harsh undesirable words to Lakshmana who was a votary of truth. 45.20

"Oh man of bad conduct, oh cruel one, Oh blot to your clan, I think that the distress of Rama is pleasing you." 45.21

"Oh Lakshmana, in spite of seeing the great distress of Rama you speak such words and if this occurs among rivals it would not be surprising. You seem to be cruel and walking with disguise." 45.22-45.23

"You are bad one who is following Rama when he is alone, for my sake covering your true intention, possibly instigated by Bharatha." 45.24

"Your or Bharatha's intention will never be fulfilled. Would I leave my husband who is black like a blue lotus, having eyes like a lotus flower and love ordinary men like you?" 45.25

"Oh son of Sumithra, I would give up my life in your presence now, for without Rama I do not want to live on this earth even for a second." 45.26

Hearing these harsh and uncivil words of the agitated Sita, Lakshmana who has won over his senses told her with folded hands in salutation. 45.27

"You are like a goddess to me and I do not intend to reply you. Oh Maithili such unworthy words coming from a woman is not surprising as, in the world it is well known that ladies exhibit such characters." 45.28-45.29

"Ladies are beyond Dharma, whimsical, inconsistent, sharp tongued capable of wounding others. Oh Vaidehi, who is the daughter of king Janaka, I cannot tolerate such words for they are red hot arrows piercing my ears." 45.30

"I am arguing for justice and so your harsh tone is not justified. Let all those who are in this forest bear witness to what I say." 45.31

"Fie on you. By doubting me you may be ruined by the natural callous conduct of ladies as I am only following my elder brother's words." 45.32

"I am going to see Rama, Oh blessed one, be safe. Let all the gods of forest protect you, oh broad eyed one." 45.33

"I see dreadful omens before me and I am not sure whether I would be able to see you along with Rama on my return, Oh Vaidehi, the daughter of Janaka." 45.34-45.35

When Lakshmana told her like this, the daughter of Janaka started crying and she with tear drenched eyes replied harshly. 45.36

"Oh Lakshmana, without Rama I will enter river Godavari and bind myself to death or I will sacrifice this body by falling from difficult terrain." 45.37

"I will drink strong poison or enter raging fire but I will not touch any other male except the son of Raghu clan even by my foot." 45.38

Like this, with great sorrow, Sita started blaming Lakshmana, by hitting her belly with her own hands." 45.39

The son of Sumithra seeing the sad state of that dejected lady who has broad eyes, consoled her but Sita refused to speak to the brother of her husband. 45.40

Then Lakshmana, after saluting Sita and after bending little to show his respect, looked at her thought of various ways to protect her and started to join Rama. 45.41

This is the end of Forty Fifth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

46. Ravana as Mendicant

[As soon as Lakshmana goes away Ravana takes the form of a mendicant and approaches Janaki. He praises her beauty and without any suspicions, Janaki receives him inside the hermitage hospitably.]

When she spoke thus rudely to him, the younger brother got very angry, and wanted to see Rama and started from there with speed. 46.1

Then immediately Ravana assumed a form of a Sannyasi and taking advantage of the opportunity approached Vaidehi. 46.2

Wearing good quality ochre cloths, with hair knotted, holding umbrella, wearing sandals, with auspicious staff and water pot hanging over his left shoulder, looking like a mendicant Ravana approached Vaidehi. 46.3

In the forest, when both brothers who were like the Sun and Moon were absent, Ravana who was very strong at the time of dusk, when the darkness starts to spread. 46.4

Then the exceedingly cruel Ravana saw the young lady who was wife of Rama and who was famous, like a sinister planet looks at Rohini when the moon was absent. 46.5

The trees of Janasthana seeing him of greatly fierce actions started shaking and wind ceased to blow. 46.6

The fast flowing river Godavari seeing him with red blood shot eyes, out of great fear started flowing steadily. 46.7

Waiting for the time when Rama would be absent, seeing that a chance has come, the ten headed Rakshasa, Ravana in the form of a mendicant reached near Vaidehi. 46.8

That evil on in the form of a good mendicant went near the lady who was worried about her husband like the planet Saturn moving towards the "Chithra" star. 46.9

That sinner looking like one having humility like a deep well-being hidden by grass stood looking at Vaidehi, the wife of Rama who was famous. 46.10

The wicked Rakshasa with a cruel mind seeing that auspicious lady who had pretty lips and teeth, who was resembling a full moon, who was sitting in her hermitage affected by sorrow and tears, who was having eyes like lotus leaf like eyes and who was dressed in yellow silk cloth went near her. 46.11-46.12

That king of Rakshasas being wounded by the arrows of God of love came chanting Vedas spoke these humble words. 46.13

That Ravana praised her, "among the greatest ladies of the world your body is shining brightly like the Goddess Lakshmi without the lotus flower." 46.14

"Who are you with the golden colour, who has worn the yellow silk cloth and an auspicious lotus garland, looks like the lotus pond itself?" 46.15

"Oh blessed one, oh lady with a pretty face, are you, "Hri", or the goddess of shyness, or Keerthi, or the goddess of fame, or goddess of auspiciousness, or goddess of wealth, or Lakshmi, or Apsaras or goddess of fortune or Rathi the goddess of love, who is freely moving about?" 46.16

"You have white and very pretty teeth which are evenly placed and you have clear and broad eyes with black eye balls and with a reddish tinge in the corner." 46.17

"You have broad hips, stout thighs like the trunk of an elephant, you have pretty round heavy breasts decorated by gems, which droop slightly due to its weight, with the nipples projecting out, which are shining and delightful like two palm fruits." 46.18-46.19

"Oh Lady with a pretty smile who has pretty teeth, oh lovely lady with very pretty eyes, you are stealing my mind like the water of the river steals its bank, your slender waist can be caught within the fist of the hand and have pretty hair and compact chest." 46.20-46.21

"Oh Lady, I have not seen such a beauty as yours in the earth or among gods or among Gandharwas or among Kinnaras or among Yakshis." 46.22

"With unmatched beauty in this world and with delicate youthfulness, you are living in this forest and this is maddening my heart." 46.23

"Move away from here as this forest, where horrible Rakshasas who can change their form at will reside, is not a proper place for you to reside." 46.24

"You deserve to stroll in terraces of palaces, pretty gardens in towns which are both luxurious and fragrant." 46.25

"Oh pretty one, you deserve the choicest garlands, food as well as cloths and also the choicest husband would only be suitable to you." 46.26

"Oh blessed lady do you belong to the Rudras, or Maruths or Vasus for you appear to me to be one among Devas." 46.27

"Devas, Kinnaras and Gandharwas do not come to this place, since only Rakshasas live here. How did you happen to come here?" 46.28

"Monkeys, lions, panthers bears, Hyenas and wild Kanka birds only live here, and are you not frightened by them?" 46.29

"In this great forest powerful and horrifying animals like the elephants in rut move about and being alone are you not scared by them." 46.30

"Oh auspicious one, who are your people? Where do you come from? Why are you moving about in this Dandaka, where horrible Rakshasas live?" 46.31

When that Ravana who was a bad soul but has come in the form of a Brahmin praised her like this that Maithili received that Ravana like a honored guest and worshipped him. 46.32

That pleasant looking lady first offered him who looked like a sage, a seat and then offered him water for drinking and told him, "everything is ready." 46.33

That Maithili seeing him in the form of a Brahmin holding a begging bowl made of pumpkin shell, without having any doubt about his bad intentions, invited that Brahmin. 46.34

"Oh Brahmin, here is the seat for you. Sit on that freely. Here is water for drinking, please take it. Here is the best food prepared out of forest products kept ready for you. Please take it without any hesitation." 46.35

Ravana who was being invited with words of cordiality, looked at Maithili, who was the wife of a king and decided to abduct her away with force without knowing that he was inviting his own death. 46.36

Sita anxiously awaited her husband gone for hunting as also Lakshmana but she saw only greens everywhere in the forest but she did not see Rama and Lakshmana. 46.37

This is the end of Forty Sixth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

47. Ravana Reveals Identity

[Sita answers the mendicant truthfully and with courtesy. Ravana then tells her that his intention was to abduct her and make her his chief queen. Sita starts trembling with fear.]

Seeing that evil intentioned Ravana, who had come in the form of a mendicant, Vaidehi started to tell him about herself. 47.1

"If I do not answer his questions properly, he being a Brahmin as well as a guest he may curse me" thought Sita for a moment and then started answering him. 47.2

"Oh best among the Brahmins, I am Maithili the daughter of the great soul Janaka and I am called Sita and wife of Rama." 47.3

"I lived in the house of Ikshuvaku clan for twelve years, enjoying all the pleasures of human beings and all my desires were fulfilled." 47.4

"In the thirteenth year the king had consultations along with other kings and ministers, about crowning Rama ". 47.5

"When arrangements for the consecration of Rama were being made, the lady called Kaikeyi asked for a boon from her husband." 47.6

"Based on the earlier promise made to her, by my father in law who was a truthful and great king, she asked due to my lack of good fortune for coronation of her son Bharatha and banishment of my husband Rama for fourteen years." 47.7

"She said, "I will not eat nor drink nor sleep, if Rama is consecrated and this would be the end of my life" 47.8

"When Kaikeyi told like this, my father in law who respected her begged her to accept any other alternative, but she did not agree to them." 47.9

"At that time my lustrous husband was only twenty five years old and I was eighteen at that time." 47.10

"My husband who was known in the world as "Rama", is blessed with good character, speaks only truth and is pure at heart. He has broad eyes, powerful arms and looks after welfare of all beings." 47.11

"His father, the greatly lustrous Dasaratha, who was overcome by passion, Kaikeyi being most loved by him, did not carry out the coronation of Rama." 47.12

"When Rama went to see his father for the sake of coronation, Kaikeyi without hesitation told these words to my husband." 47.13

"Oh Raghava, please hear the orders of your father from me. This kingdom would be given to Bharatha to rule without any obstacles." 47.14
 
"Oh son of Kakustha clan, you have to live like a sage for fourteen years in the forest, for saving your father from falsehood." 47.15

"When told like this by Kaikeyi, my husband Rama who is a fearless man and firm in his resolves said to her, "so be it." 47.16

"The matchless penance of Rama, Oh Brahmin, is to give and not take and speak no other words except truth." 47.17

"The Valorous Lakshmana, who is the son of the second mother of Rama, who is the tiger among men and slayer of his enemies in the battle, has also come with him to help him." 47.18

"That brother Lakshmana follows Dharma as well as strict penance and a wielder of bow has come along with me when Rama was banished." 47.19

"He with matted hair and the form of a sage, who daily follows Dharma and has won over his senses, has entered the Dandaka forest along with me and his brother." 47.20

"The three of us who have been banished by Kaikeyi to the forest are, Oh Brahmin, wandering in the forest with great luster." 47.21

"Take rest for a while. You can also stay here. My husband would come now carrying large quantity of meat of deer, alligator as well as boar." 47.22-47.23

"Oh Brahmin, tell me your name, clan and family and also tell me for what purpose you are wandering alone in this Dandakaranya." 47.24

When the wife of Rama asked like this, that very strong king of Rakshasas gave a reply which was ruthless. 47.25

"Oh Sita, I am one who is called Ravana, the king of Rakshasas, of whom the entire world including devas, asuras and serpents are scared and shiver" 47.26

"Oh flawless lady who is of golden complexion, after seeing you clad in silk garments, I am not getting interested in making love to my own wives." 47.27

"Among all the women whom I have brought, after winning several wars, you would become my chief queen, safety unto you." 47.28

"My city Lanka is a great city in the middle of the ocean and it is situated on a peak of mountain surrounded by the ocean." 47.29

"There, Oh Sita, you can stroll along with me in the pleasure gardens and oh pretty one, by that, you will not miss your life in the forest." 47.30

"Oh Sita, if you become my wife, five thousand well ornamented lady attendants would be waiting on you." 47.31

When Ravana told like this that daughter of Janaka became very angry and that lady with blemish less limbs replied without any care to the Rakshasa. 47.32

"I am a faithful follower of my husband Rama, who is unshakable like a huge mountain, who is similar to Devendra and imperturbable like the mighty sea." 47.33

"I am a loyal wife of Rama who is endowed with all virtues, a refuge like a banyan tree, speaker of truth and a great hero." 47.34

"I am the faithful wife of Rama. , who has powerful arms, who has broad chest, who walks like a marching lion, lion among men and really a lion." 47.35

"I am the loyal wife of Rama, who has a face like full moon, son of a king, one who has won over his senses, greatly famous in earth and a great soul." 47.36

"You are after all a Jackal who wants a lioness like me who is difficult to get and you cannot even touch me because I am like the rays of the Sun." 47.37

"Oh Ravana, you who desire the dear wife of Rama is an unfortunate one and you will certainly see the golden tree [death]." 47.38

"You are trying to pull the teeth of a hungry and powerful lion which is the enemy of all animals and also you are wishing to pull the fangs from a powerful poisonous snake." 47.39

"You are wishing to carry the great mountain Mandhara by your hand and you want to go back safely after drinking the Kalakoota poison." 47.40

"if you are aiming at violating the dear wife of Rama, you are rubbing your eyes with a needle and licking a sharp sword." 47.41

"Anyone who desires to assault the dear wife of Rama is trying to cross the sea with a big stone tied to the neck or trying to carry the moon and Sun in both hands." 47.42

"If you desire to catch the virtuous wife of Rama, you are trying to hold a blazing fire with a cloth in hand." 47.43

"If you want to seek the worthy wife of Rama, you are trying to walk on the sharp edge of tridents." 47.44

"The difference between you are Rama is like that of the difference between lion and the Jackal, like the difference between the sea and the ditch and like the difference between wine and dirty water." 47.45

"The difference between the son of Dasaratha and yourself is like the difference between gold and lead, that between sandal paste and slime and that between elephant and a cat." 47.46

"The difference between son of Dasaratha and you is like the difference between eagle and a crow, between peacock and a crane and between swan and a vulture." 47.47

"The Rama with the strength the thousand eyed Indra, when he stands armed with a bow and arrow, even if I am abducted will to allow you to become old and I will act on you like a diamond swallowed by a fly." 47.48

After forcefully telling like this to the Rakshasa, the body of the lady of pure thoughts started trembling like a Banana plant caught in a storm. 47.49

That Ravana who was powerful like death started giving an account about his clan, his strength and his deeds, to the lady who was shivering with a view to make her more scared. 47.50

This is the end of Forty Seventh Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

48. Ravana Introduces Himself

[Ravana then tells Sita in detail about himself and his exploits. He promises her a very happy life with him in Lanka. He also tells her that he is a brother of Khubera and owns the Pushpaka Vimana.]

When Sita spoke like this, Ravana arching his eyebrows to his forehead, using agitated and harsh words replied her. 48.1

"Oh lady whose beauty cannot be described, Vaisravana, the lord of riches is my step mother's son and my name is Ravana, safety to you, and I am famous as the ten headed one." 48.2

"People including Devas, Gandharwas, ghosts, Patakas and serpents get scared on seeing me who is like death and run away." 48.3

"Due to some other reason a great war took place between me and Vaisravana my brother from my step mother and in the individual war between us I won over him due to my great anger and power." 48.4

"That Khubera who rides on men, due to great fear towards me, left his own prosperous home and is living on Kailasa, the great mountain." 48.5

"Oh auspicious lady, due to my valour, I gained from him the aero plane called Pushpaka, which goes to any place one desires, in which I wander in the skies." 48.6

"Oh Maithili, devas who see my face when is angry start shivering and start running away scared, with Indra in the forefront." 48.7

"If the wind God sees me, with great hesitation he blows mildly and so is the sun and moon and out of fear the scorching sun becomes cool." 48.8

"Wherever I stay or move about, the trees with full of leaves become still and the river remains with still water." 48.9

"If I cross the sea, there exists my auspicious city of Lanka and it is full of horrifying Rakshasas and is equal to Indra's Amravati." 48.10

"That white city enclosed by a wall shines and the city has golden gates with doors encrusted with Vaidoorya." 48.11

"It is crowded with horses, elephants and chariots and is filled with music from wind pipe instruments. It has trees yielding all round the year and looks splendid as it is filled with pleasure gardens." 48.12

"Oh Sita who rules my mind, there you would live with me and would never remember the human ladies." 48.13

"Oh blessed lady, enjoying the divine pleasures of mortals with me, you will not remember the human being called Rama with a short span of life." 48.14

"King Dasaratha crowned his most loved son there sending away his elder son of inferior intellect to the forest." 48.15
"Oh broad eyed one, Rama who has been banished to the forest has lost his capacity to think and what will you do with that sage who does penance." 48.16

"You do not deserve to reject me who is the lord of all the Rakshasas, who has come here due to passion for you, who has succumbed to the arrows of God of love." 48.17

"After rejecting me, you would feel greatly sorry like Urvasi who rejected Pururuvas and kicked him by her feet." 48.18

"Oh auspicious beauty, that Rama in war is not even equal to my fingers and so you be happy in getting me by your luck." 48.19

When Vaidehi hear these words she was enraged and her eyes turned red and in that lonely place she spoke harsh words to that king of Rakshasas. 48.20

"Why did you do inauspicious deeds instead of showing regard to your brother who is the God Vaisravana who is being saluted by all beings?" 48.21

"Oh Ravana, you would get all the Rakshasas destroyed, because they have a cruel and evil minded king who does not have control over his senses." 48.22

"It may be possible to lead a life after abducting Sachi, the wife of Indra but after carrying away the wife of Rama there would not be any life." 48.23

"Oh Rakshasa, you may hope to live long after snatching the pretty Sachi from the hands of Indra who Carries the Vajrayudha but after assaulting me, even if you drink nectar of immortality t you would not be alive." 48.24

This is the end of Forty Eighth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

49. Ravana Carries Sita

[Then Ravana shows her his real form and holding her by hair and supporting her with his hand on her thighs, he carries her to his chariot. Sita wails and requests all birds and trees to tell Rama about her abduction. Then she sees Jatayu and tells him to inform Rama about his plight.]

Hearing the words of Sita, that ten headed one with great fame kept one hand in another hand and got ready to assume his usual giant form. 49.1

He again told the following words," Due to great madness, you have not understood about my valour and courage." 49.2

"I can lift the entire earth including the sky by my bare hands; I can drink the entire ocean and wage a war and kill death itself." 49.3

"I can hide the Sun, I can shatter the earth by use of sharp arrows and I can assume any form of I like, Oh mad woman, see me as your husband who can fulfill all your desires." 49.4

When the angry Ravana was talking like this his eyes having the brilliance of Sun shined like flaming fire and in the corners of his eyes amber colour developed. 49.5

That Ravana shed his form of a gentle mendicant and assumed and that brother of Vaisravana assumed a form similar to God of death. 49.6

With very red eyes, decorated with pure gold ornaments, desperate with anger, resembling a black rich cloud, with ten heads and armed with bows and arrows, Ravana the Rakshasa stood before her. 49.7

The king of Rakshasas Ravana, discarding the form of a mendicant, assumed his own form and stood with a huge body, dressed in reddish attire, observing the gem of the woman stood before her. 49.8-49.9

That Ravana addressed Maithili who had a black hair which was shining like the sun and who was dressed in best of cloths and ornaments and spoke. 49.10

"Oh lady, If you are interested in having a husband who is famous in all the three worlds, Oh blessed lady depend on me, because I would be a husband suitable to you." 49.11

"Oh auspicious lady, you may serve me for a long time as your dear one, for at any time, I would not do anything that is not liked by you and so give up your inclination to a mere human form and place your love on me." 49.12-49.13

"Rama has been banished from his country and he is of limited span of life and has not so far achieved anything and Oh foolish women who thinks that you are wise what is the point in loving him. Obeying the words of a woman, he left all his friends and he is living in the forest haunted by wild animals. Oh lady with a inferior brain." 49.14-49.15

After telling these words to Maithili who deserved love and who spoke pleasing words, that Rakshasa caught in the web of passion, went near her and that Ravana caught her, like the planet Budha [Mercury - the son of moon] catching hold of Rohini [wife of moon]. 49.16
He lifted Sita who had lotus like eyes with his left hand holding her hair and with his right hand supporting her thighs. 49.17

Seeing him who looked like death, had sharp teeth, great hands and who looked like a mountain, the gods of the forest ran away from there. 49.18

Then the magical divine chariot drawn by donkeys, making noise like a donkey appeared before Ravana and her who had a golden body. 49.19

Then Ravana, berating her with harsh words and in a loud tone, lifted Vaidehi from his body part and placed her on the chariot. 49.20

Held by Ravana that famous one shouted loudly with sorrow and pain "Oh Rama", addressing Rama who had gone far away in the forest. 49.21

At that time that passionate Ravana held her who did not love him and who was writhing like a king of serpents and fled from there. 49.22

Then she who was being taken by the king of Rakshasas over the sky, shouted like a mad women in delirious condition and screamed in great pain. 49.23

"Oh very strong Lakshmana who pleases the mind of elders, you do not know that I am being carried away by a impetuous Rakshasa." 49.24

"Oh Rama you sacrificed pleasure and wealth in life for the sake of Dharma and are you not seeing me carried away against Dharma?" 49.25

"Oh scorcher of enemies, oh punisher of the undisciplined ones, why are you not punishing this undisciplined act of Ravana?" 49.26

"The results of an immoral act cannot be immediately seen similar to time acting as a supporting factor for the ripening of a crop." 49.27

"By this act that you do, which takes your mind shattered by time, you would suffer great sorrow and darkness in your life due to Rama." 49.28

"Alas, Kaikeyi and her friends would now be happy, because I who am a lover of Dharma, famous one and a virtuous wife is being abducted." 49.29

"Oh fully flowered Karnika trees of Janasthana, I am taking leave of you, please tell quickly Rama that Ravana is abducting Sita." 49.30

"I salute the Malyavana peak of the Prasravana mountain; you may please tell quickly that Ravana is abducting Sita." 49.31

"I salute the river Godavari which is full of swans and cranes; you may please tell quickly that Ravana is abducting Sita." 49.32

"I salute the deities of the forest filled with trees; you may please tell quickly that Ravana is abducting Sita." 49.33

"I seek refuge and plead with all those animals, and living beings living in this forest including groups of animals and birds." 49.34

"Please tell my husband who loves me more than his own life that the helpless Sita is being abducted by Ravana." 49.35

"Knowing that I have been abducted that very strong Rama with great hands would get me back, even if Vaivasvatha, the God of death abducts me." 49.36

She who was big eyed, who was extremely sad and crying like this, then saw the eagle sitting on the tree. 49.37

That beautiful lady who was in the grip of Ravana after seeing him was shaken by great sorrow, screamed loudly. 49.38

"Please see me now being carried away from here like an orphan, in a desperate way by the sinful Ravana who is the king of Rakshasas." 49.39

"It is not possible for you to prevent him by your strength because this Rakshasa is cruel, well armed, evil minded and capable of winning." 49.40

"Oh Jatayu, please tell Rama as well as Lakshmana about the details of my abduction as it happened here." 49.41

This is the end of Forty Ninth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

50. Jatayu Advises Ravana

[Jatayu who recognizes Ravana advises him to follow the path of Dharma and though he is very old gets ready to fight with Ravana.]

Jatayu who was resting on the tree heard that sound and Saw quickly Ravana as also Sita also. 50.1

That great bird who was like a flock of mountains and who had a sharp beak sitting on the top of the tree uttered these auspicious words. 50.2

"Oh ten headed one, I am Jatayu, the mighty strong king of eagles, wedded to ancient Dharma as well as truth." 50.3

"Rama, the son of Dasaratha is the king comparable to Indra and Varuna and takes care of the welfare of all the worlds." 50.4

"She whom you are trying to abduct is the auspicious and famous lady Sita, who is the wife of the lord of all the worlds." 50.5

"Oh king who adheres to Dharma, how can you violate the wife of others and you being very strong should specially protect the wives of other kings." 50.6

"Take away from your mind, the thought of touching someone else's wife and this thought should not enter a brave man who condemns others for such behaviour. You should protect the wife of others like you protect your own wife." 50.7

"Oh son of Paulasthya, learned men take decision on Dharma based on the behavior of the king, even if a Dharma, Artha or Kama is not mentioned in Sastras." 50.8

"The king is the best repository of Dharma, Kama as well as wealth and so whether an act is a bad Dharma or Good Dharma is decided based on king's behaviour." 50.9

"Oh best among the Rakshasas, you are sinful and fickle by nature, By doing what wicked deed, could you get, the wealth like a aero plane." 50.10

"Passion is the conduct of some people and this cannot be erased and prosperity will not last long in the house of such bad souls." 50.11

"Rama who is greatly strong and has not offended you either in your country or in your city and so why do you want to offend that follower of Dharma?" 50.12

"If for the sake of Soorpanakha, Khara of Janasthana, trespassed Rama who is a hero unsurpassed character and got killed because of that, please tell me the principle by which Rama went against Dharma and also tell me why you are stealing the wife of that Lord of the world, because of that." 50.13-50.14

"Leave Vaidehi at once so that she would not burn you, with a fierce look from her eyes which are like the thunderbolts of Indra which killed Vruthrasura." 50.15

"You are not aware of the poisonous snake that you have tied to your cloth and you are not seeing the noose of the God of death tightening around your neck." 50.16

"Oh gentle one, a man should carry only a burden which does not overburden him and also eat only that much would which would be healthy for him." 50.17

"Who will practice that Dharma which does not bring him fame and glory and who will do acts which brings sufferings to the body?" 50.18

"Ravana, I was born sixty thousand years ago from that time I ruled the kingdom which I got my father and forefathers in a proper way." 50.19

"I am old and you are youth having bows, arrows as well as a chariot but in spite of that, I will not allow you to go safely carrying Vaidehi," 50.20

"You are not strong enough to carry using Vaidehi in my sight, just like the everlasting rules of Vedas cannot be refuted by arguments of logic." 50.21

"Oh Ravana, wait for a minute and fight with me in war, if you are valorous and like Khara you would be slain and fall dead to the ground." 50.22

"Soon that Rama clad in bark, who has killed several Rakshasas and Dhanavas many times also will kill you." 50.23

"Since the sons of the king have gone to a far off distance, I do not know what to do? Oh debased one, without any doubt, you are going to be destroyed by fear towards them." 50.24

"As long as I am alive, I will not allow you to take the auspicious, lotus eyed Sita who is the dear queen of Rama." 50.25

"I am sure that my act would be liked by that great soul and I would it for Rama and Dasaratha, even by giving up my life." 50.26

"Stay there, stay there, oh ten headed one, see me for a minute and I would show you the hospitality of war even by giving up my life, Oh Rakshasa. Like a fully ripened fruit dropping from its stalk, I would make you fall from the chariot." 50.27-50.28

This is the end of Fiftieth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

51. Jatayu and Ravana Fight

[Jatayu destroys the chariot of Ravana during a great fight. Ravana who held Janaki left her and cut off the wings of Jatayu. Janaki became sad as if her relative was dying.]

When his just opinions were told by Jatayu, all the twenty eyes of Ravana shined like fire due to great anger. 51.1

The intolerant king of Rakshasas with blood red eyes due to anger and with his bright gold ear globes jumped on the king of the birds. 51.2

The matchless fight between them in the forest was tumultuous and appeared like the clash between two black clouds brought about by a great wind. 51.3

Then a wonderful war took place between the vulture and the Rakshasa appeared like a war between two winged mountain ranges of Malya. 51.4

Then that strong one rained reed shafts, sharp and exceedingly dreadful arrows as well as iron shafts at the vulture king. 51.5

Jatayu, the vulture who was the king of birds endured the net work of arrows as well as the missiles sent by Ravana. 51.6

That strong one and the great bird with his sharp nails as well as feet caused many wounds on the body of Ravana. 51.7

Then with great anger the ten headed one sent ten fierce darts all equal the rod of death, with a desire to hit his enemy. 51.8

He then released fully arrows of great strength which had sharp ends, whetted and sharp crescent shaped arrows which pierced the vulture. 51.9

Seeing Janaki with tears in her eyes sitting on the chariot, without bothering about the arrows of the Rakshasa, Jatayu attacked again. 51.10

That king of the birds who had great luster broke with his feet the bow along with arrows which were encrusted with gems. 51.11

Flying in to great anger, he took another bow and started the rained arrows in hundreds and thousands. 51.12

The king of birds in the midst of those sea of arrows shone like a bird which has returned back to its nest. 51.13

He who has great power scattered all those arrows to a distance by his wings and by his feet he again broke the great bow. 51.14

That very brave king of birds who was shining like fire, using his wings broke in to pieces the shield of Ravana. 51.15

In that war the very powerful devils with a donkey face who were covered with gold and who were enriched with great speed were killed. 51.16

Then he broke the great chariot which was endowed with three pretty bamboo reeds, which could go wherever it desired, which was glowing like fire and decorated by gems and gold. 51.17

He then violently pulled down, the umbrella which was shining along with the fans along with those Rakshasas who were holding them. 51.18

Again the powerful and glorious king of the birds with his beak cut off the huge head of the charioteer. 51.19

With his bow being broken without chariot, without horses and without the charioteer, holding Vaidehi on his lap that Ravana jumped on the ground. 51.20

Seeing Ravana fallen on the ground without his chariot, all the beings appreciated the king of vultures by saying "Great, Great." 51.21

Seeing the old king of the flock of birds, greatly tired due to the great fight, the happy Ravana took Vaidehi and flew in to the sky. 51.22

The king of vultures who had great luster seeing the happy Ravana going away with the daughter of Janaka in his custody, flying up chased Ravana and after chasing him, he obstructed him and told. 51.23

"Sita is the wife of Rama whose arrows can hit like Vajrayudha, which would lead to the destruction of all Rakshasas, Oh foolish one." 51.24

"You are drinking like a thirsty man, this poisoned drink which will lead to the death of friends, relations, ministers army and all your allies." 51.25

"Those who do not know the consequences and one who does not have capacity of discrimination would be destroyed speedily and you would be destroyed quickly." 51.26

"You have been tied by the noose of God of death and how can you escape, like a fish caught in the fish hook after biting the bait." 51.27

"Oh Ravana those unassailable sons of Kakustha dynasty will not any time condone, your entering that hermitage." 51.28

"Like a coward, you did not act which would be despised by the world for a valorous hero would not adopt the method of a thief." 51.29

"If you are a valorous hero in the battle field, wait for a moment, for Rama will make you lie down dead like your brother Khara." 51.30

"Only when death is nearby a man would do such acts and you have undertaken this unrighteous act, for the destruction of your own soul." 51.31

"If sin is attached to an action which good man will undertake it, even if he happens to be the lord of the entire world and who was born himself?" 51.32

Jatayu spoke these auspicious words to the Rakshasa and then he fell on the back of the Rakshasa with ten heads. 51.33

Jatayu held Ravana and wounded him badly by using his nails and it was like the Mahout trying to calm down a mad elephant. 51.34

He who was having his claws, nails and beak as the only weapon wounded Ravana's back severely by using his beak and claws and he started to pluck off his hair. 51.35

Being exasperated again and again by that king of vultures, with intolerance rising in him, the Rakshasa staggered to the right so that he can hit the vulture at his back. 51.36

Clutching Sita on his left side securely, with great anger that aggrieved Ravana, quickly hit back at Jatayu with his palm. 51.37

Jatayu the lord of the birds and destroyer of his enemies using his beak outstripped Ravana and tore away his ten left arms [He was holding Vaidehi by his left hand] 51.38

Those ten arms which were torn off immediately appeared again, like the poisonous snakes coming out from their pits. 51.39

Then out of great anger Ravana threw away Sita and hit the vulture king with all his hands and feet. 51.40

Then a battle took place for some time between those matchless heroes who were the chief of the Rakshasas and the chief of the birds. 51.41

Ravana then took his sword and cut off the wings, sides and feet of Jatayu, who was fighting for the sake of Rama. 51.42

Due to that horrible act of Ravana, when his wings were cut off, that great vulture fell on the earth with very less life span left for him. 51.43

Seeing Jatayu fallen down on the earth soaked in blood, Vaidehi ran near him like he was her own relative and became sad. 51.44

The king of Lanka saw Jatayu who was shining like a blue cloud, who had white undersides and who was greatly valorous and appeared like a fire which had become peaceful. 51.45

Seeing him like a wingless chariot on the earth, felled there by the quick blows of Ravana, Sita who had a face like a shining moon hugged him and then that daughter of Janaka started wailing. 51.46

This is the end of Fifty First Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

52. Ravana Abducts Sita

[Ravana caught hold of Sita and started flying away. The entire nature cried for her. Lord Brahma and the great sages felt that the time for death of Ravana was nearing.]

That lady with the face of the king of stars seeing that Ravana has stuck down, the king of vultures wept due to great grief. 52.1

"People who know the auspicious signs as well as bad omens based on the noise of birds would definitely read the pleasure and pain of man from them." 52.2

"Oh Rama you are still not aware of the terrible disaster which happened to me but I feel that for my sake the animals and birds are running to tell the son of Kakustha can about that." 52.3

"Due to my sin and bad luck, the bird which has come forward to save me is lying on the ground dead." 52.4

That blessed and greatly lady shouted bitterly "please save me, Oh Rama, Oh Lakshmana", as if feeling that they were nearby to save her. 52.5

Ravana came running near that lady, whose ornaments and garlands were crushed and who was weeping like a helpless orphan. 52.6

To her who was embracing the huge trees like a climbing plant shouting "Rama, Rama" though Rama was not in that forest, that king of Rakshasas who looked like the god of death told, Leave it, leave it" and caught hold of hair thus bringing his death near to himself. 52.7-52.8

When Sita was insulted like this, all moving and non moving beings not respectable, the forest was covered by darkness, the wind did not blow and the Sun did not shine brightly. 52.9

Seeing with his divine eye, the desperate Sita grasped and being carried away Lord Brahma said, "The job has been done." 52.10

Those great sages who lived in Dandakaranya forest though they were all pained by it, felt happy at seeing Sita being grasped because they could see in it casually the destruction of Ravana. 52.11-52.12

That Ravana who was the king of Rakshasas took her away to the sky, when she was crying and chanting "Rama, Rama", as well as Lakshmana. 52.13

Wearing shining golden ornaments and dressed in yellow silk that princess shined like lightning in the sky. 52.14

With the yellow silk cloth flying over him, Ravana also shined like a mountain, over which there was a yellow flame. 52.15

Vaidehi's most auspicious fragrant copper coloured lotus petals rained all over Ravana. 52.16

Her golden coloured silk cloth which was flying in the sky, was exposed to the bright rays of the Sun and shined like a cloud of golden colour. 52.17

Because she was being held under the arm of Ravana in the sky, her pretty nose and face without Rama being there, shined like a lotus flower without stalk. 52.18

Sita's was beautiful with pretty forehead and beautiful hair looked by the inner side of a lotus flower without any marks and her flawless white nice shining teeth which was decorated, her nice nose, her lovely red lips. She was constantly weeping and wiping away her tears and her pure face looked like a moon and being held by Ravana it looked like a moon trying to break out from the blue cloud. 52.19-52.21

Being shaken by Ravana, her auspicious moon like face without a shine and looked like a moon which was seen in the day time. 52.22

That golden coloured Maithili being held by the Rakshasa king who had blue limbs shone like the metal girdle made of gold with inlaid blue gem stones. 52.23

That bright lotus like lady of golden colour wearing shining gold ornaments was shining like lightning coming out of dark cloud, when she was held by the dark Ravana. 52.24

By the sound made by the ornaments of Vaidehi, that Ravana looked like a water rich dark cloud, which was roaring. 52.25

When Sita was being carried away the flowers with which she decorated her head fell like a rain of flowers and fell on the ground. 52.26

That rain of flowers swirling round due to the great speed with which Ravana was going and covered all over the body of the ten headed one. 52.27

The rain of flowers went towards the younger brother of Vaisravana, like a bright garland of stars going round the tall and pure Meru Mountain. 52.28

From the feet of Vaidehi, her anklet studded with gems dropped down on earth like with a pleasant sound and it looked like an orb of lightning. 52.29

The lady Vaidehi looking red like the tender leaves of thee tree with the king of Rakshasas who was in blue in colour looked like the golden chain used to tie the elephant adding to its glitter. 52.30

She with her natural beauty, who was being carried by the younger brother of Vaisravana in the sky looked like a huge shining comet. 52.31

Her fire coloured ornaments fell on the earth creating loud sound like the weak stars which were falling from the sky. 52.32

The pearl chain that fell from the middle of the breasts of Vaidehi, looked like the waters of river Ganga falling from the sky. 52.33

The trees full of different types flocks of birds which were shaken at the top by the gust of the wind seem to say to Sita, "Be not afraid." 52.34

The faded lotus flowers and disturbed animals living in water disturbed by great fear in the lotus ponds were feeling sorry for Sita just like one feels sorry to a friend who has stopped to breath. 52.35

The lions, tigers and other wild animals collected together due to sorrow jumped and ran chasing the shadow of Sita. 52.36

When Sita was being carried away the water falls from the mountains indicated their tears and the peaks indicated that they lifted up their arms. 52.37

Even the Sun who has great luster after seeing Sita being carried away, became gloomy, shed his luster and a white disc appeared round him. 52.38

All beings wailed in groups saying, "where is Dharma, where is truth, where is honesty, where is compassion, when Ravana is stealing Vaidehi, the wife of Rama." 52.39

The young deer with an upset face with desperate looks wept looking up at the direction where Sita was being taken though they were not able to see clearly due to tears hiding their eyes. 52.40

Similarly the gods of the forest seeing Sita reduced to the state of weeping and crying out loudly and also weeping, were greatly shaken. 52.41

That ten headed one was carrying Vaidehi, who was crying in a sweet voice, "Rama, Lakshmana", who was looking all over the ground, with disheveled hair and with her auspicious mark in forehead wiped out, was really travelling fast towards his own death. 52.42-52.43

Then Maithili with pretty teeth and sweet smile without any relatives and unable to see Rama and Lakshmana became pale faced and greatly scared. 52.44

This is the end of Fifty Second Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

53. Sita Reasons with Ravana

[Sita tells Ravana that he has done a horrible act and would be killed for that.]

Seeing him flying to the sky that Maithili, the daughter of Janaka became very sad and greatly disturbed and became miserable due to intense fear. 53.1

That Sita with red coloured eyes due to crying with fury, weeping in a very sad state told the king of Rakshasas who had very big eyes. 53.2

"Oh mean Ravana, are you ashamed of what you have done? Knowing that I am separated from my husband, you have come and stolen me and are running away?" 53.3

"You being a bad soul, coward and wanting to abduct me, sent away my husband in the form of a deer." 53.4

"You have also killed this king of vultures, who was an old friend of my father in law and who wanted to protect me." 53.5

"Oh basest of the Rakshasas, I have seen your valour now for you have not won me after announcing a war." 53.6

"After carrying out such an act, how is it that you are not ashamed, for you have abducted a lady when she is alone." 53.7

"You would be told as one who has done a debased act by all the world as you are cruel, unrighteous and one who boasts that he is brave." 53.8

"Fie upon your heroism and strength, about which you boasted. Your behaviour which caused sorrow to a family is condemnable by the world." 53.9

"What can be done now, as you are running away speedily, for even if you stay here for a moment, you would not be alive." 53.10

"If for a moment you fall in to the vision of the sons of the king, even if you are supported by all your army, you would not live for a moment." 53.11

"You would not be able to endure even a touch of their arrows, just like a bird cannot endure even a mere touch of forest fire." 53.12

"Oh Ravana, for your own well being, it is only proper that you release me. If you do not, becoming greatly angry for your assaulting me, my husband and his brother would cause your destruction and so release me." 53.13

"Oh mean fellow, on the other hand if you due to your enterprise want to steal me with force, such a thought would become useless." 53.14

"Without seeing my god like husband, I would not hold on to my life for a long time in the custody of my enemy." 53.15

"At the time of death, man, he resorts to behaviour which is opposite to Normal and at that time you would be able to see or foresee what is good for your own self." 53.16

"Those who desire to die, will not see anything which is good for them. I am able to see around your neck, the noose of God of death." 53.17

"It is clear that you are not afraid of anything that causes fear and it is evident that you have started seeing golden trees." 53.18

"Oh Ravana you will be seeing the horrible river Vaitharani [river of death] in which torrents of blood flows and you are also seeing the forest with trees having sword like leaves." 53.19

"You will see a silk cotton tree with flowers of golden colour with great Vaidoorya stones as leaves and will have sharp iron thorns there [sinners are made to hug this tree in hell.] 53.20

"Oh pitiless one, you will not be able to survive long after deceiving me in the guise of a great soul, like a man who has drunk poison." 53.21

"Oh Ravana, you have been tied by the noose of god of death which is difficult to remove. Where will you go to get safety from my husband?" 53.22

"Within a short time, without taking help from his brother, he has killed fourteen thousand Rakshasas for Rama is a strong man well versed in all weapons. How will such Rama not kill you, who had stolen his wife?" 53.23-53.24

Vaidehi, who was in the grip of Raghava, filled with fear and sorrow spoke many such harsh words and cried pathetically." 53.25

That pretty lady who was greatly helpless, who was talking lot and piteously crying was carried away by the sinner Ravana and he turned to her whose body was trembling. 53.26

This is the end of Fifty Third Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.