r Rmacaritamnasa

(The Mnasa lake containing the exploits of r Rma)

Descent Three
(Araya-Ka)

arf r-r-
rrrrt nrrrrr-ar ar
rrrrnrf tr r
- zr r >rtrf+ {+
loka
m ula dharmatarorvivekajaladhe p urendumnandada
vairgymbujabhskara hyaghaghanadhvntpaha tpaham,
mohmbhodharap ugapanavidhau svasambhava akara
vande brahmakula kalakaamana rrmabh upapriyam.1.
I reverence Bhagavn akara, the progeny of Brahm, the very root of the tree
of piety, the beloved, devotee of King r Rma, the full moon that brings joy to the ocean
of wisdom, the sun that opens the lotus of dispassion, the wind that disperses the clouds
of ignorance, who dispels the thick darkness of sin and eradicates the threefold agony
and who wipes off obloquy. (1)
r-r-rna tarr -
rr rrrr f-rrtr
rtrar ar rrfa
tarra fna rrfr + +
sndrnandapayodasaubhagatanu ptmbara sundara
pau baarsana kailasatturabhra varam,
rjvyatalocana dhtajajuena saobhita
stlakmaasayuta pathigata rmbhirma bhaje.2.
I worship r Rma, the delighter of all, whose graceful form is an embodiment of
joy and is dark as a rainy cloud, who is clad in a charming yellow bark and carries in
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648
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
His hands a bow and an arrow who has a beautiful, shining and well-equipped quiver
fastened to His waist and has a pair of large lotus eyes, who is adorned with a tuft of
matted locks on His head and who is seen journeying with St and Lakmaa. (2)
0sr r n n fza f rf ffa
rf r f f f fa+
So.: um rma guna guRha paita muni pvahi

birati,
pvahi

moha bimuRha je hari bimukha na dharma rati.

r Rmas virtues, Um (Prvat ), are mysterious. The sages as well as learned
men develop dispassion (when they appreciate them ); while the deluded fools who are
hostile to r Hari and have no love for piety get bewildered to hear of them.
0 a tfa nr; fa = r;+
fa fa r a f r+ {+
r f r f r r+
taf fr r f fr + +
fa a f r r ra rrfa r+
ff ftfr rn rr r fa r rr+ -+
tar r fa rnr fa r rnr+
r =f rrr rr t r rr+ +
Cau.: pura nara bharata prti mai

g, mati anurupa anupa suh.

aba prabhu carita sunahu ati pvana, karata je bana sura nara muni bhvana.1.
eka bra cuni kusuma suhe, nija kara bhuana rma bane.
stahi pahire prabhu sdara, baihe phaika sil para sudara.2.
surapati suta dhari byasa be, saha chata raghupati bala dekh.
jimi piplik sgara thh, mah madamati pvana ch.3.
st carana coca hati bhg, muRha madamati krana kg.
cal rudhira raghunyaka jn, ska dhanua syaka sadhn.4.
I have portrayed to the best of my ability the incomparable and charming affection
( for r Rma ) of the citizens (of Ayodhy ) as well as of Bharata. Now hear of the all-holy
exploits of the Lord, that He wrought in the forest to the delight of gods, men and sages. On
one ocasion r Rma culled lovely flowers and made with His own hands a number of
ornaments, with which He fondly decked St and sat with Her on a beautiful rock of
crystal. The foolish son of Indra ( the lord of celestials ) took the form of a crow and wanted
to test the might of r Rma ( the Lord of Raghus ) even as the most dull-witted ant would
sound the depths of the ocean. The stupid fool, who had disguised himself as a crow with a
sinister motive, bit St in the foot with his beak and flew away. The Lord of Raghus came to
know it only when blood ran from Her foot, and fitted a shaft of reed to His bow. (14)
0fa r rrr r t
ar r; t- n n+ {+
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649
Do.: ati kpla raghunyaka sad dna para neha,
t sana i knha chalu murakha avaguna geha.1.
The Lord of Raghus is extremely compassionate and is always fond of the meek.
But the mischievous fool came and played a trick even with Him. (1)
0fa r zr rr r rf r rr+
f f = ns fa rt r f rr af rt+ {+
r fr st rrr r ff rr+
zrr f rr fr >rfa r rr+ +
r r rt rf r ; r rt+
ra - fa rr r r; f frr+ -+
fr ; a f t ar ft at+
n arf a arar r rrt f rar+ +
r r f ar rfn r r fa ar+
r aa r f art f rf a fa rt+ ~+
ra nf r; rrf rrf r rrr;+
afa afa ar; fa rf f r;+ +
f a fa rs rf af rs +
f r fa ra rt f ar rt+ +
Cau.: prerita matra brahmasara dhv, cal bhji byasa bhaya pv.
dhari nija rupa gayau pitu ph

, rma bimukha rkh tehi nh

.1.
bh nirsa upaj mana trs, jath cakra bhaya rii durbs.
brahmadhma sivapura saba lok, phir ramita bykula bhaya sok.2.
khu

baihana kah na oh, rkhi ko sakai rma kara droh.

mtu mtyu pitu samana samn, sudh hoi bia sunu harijn.3.
mitra karai sata ripu kai karan, t kaha bibudhanad baitaran.
saba jagu thi analahu te tt, jo raghubra bimukha sunu bhrt.4.
nrada dekh bikala jayat, lgi day komala cita sat.
pahav turata rma pahi

th, kahesi pukri pranata hita ph.5.

tura sabhaya ghesi pada j, trhi trhi dayla raghur.
atulita bala atulita prabhut, ma

matimada jni nahi

p.6.
nija kta karma janita phala pyau , aba prabhu phi sarana taki yau .
suni kpla ati rata bn, ekanayana kari taj bhavn.7.
Winged with a spell, the shaft presided over by Brahm* sped forth and the crow
in terror took to flight. Indras son now assumed his own form and approached his father.
* Our scriptures mention a number of missiles each presided over by a particular deity and varying in
its potency according to the god by whom it is presided over and which can be invoked on any earthly weapon
by means of spells. For instance we hear of an Agni-Astra ( presided over by the fire-god ),a Vyavystra
(presided over by the wind-god), Parjanystra (presided over by the rain-god). Pupatstra (presided over
by Lord iva ) and Nryastra (presided over by Bhagavn Nryaa ) and so on. The Agni-Astra, when
discharged, rains volleys of fire; the Vyavystra lets loose strong winds; the Parjanystra releases clouds
with showers and so on. It is unfortunate that the knowledge of this science, which was evidenced till the end
of Dvpara, has become extinct now.
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650
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R RMACARITAMNASA
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But the latter refused to give him shelter knowing him to be an enemy of r Rma. Having
lost hope ( of protection ) he felt as alarmed at heart as the sage Durvs was afraid of the
Lords Discus. Weary and stricken with fear and grief, he traversed the abode of Brahm,
the realm of Lord iva and all other regions. But no one even asked him to sit down. Who
can dare afford shelter to an enemy of r Rma ? Listen, Garua (mount of r Hari ), a
mother becomes as terrible as death and a father assumes the role of Yama ( the god of
death), ambrosia turns into venom and a friend becomes as hostile as a hundred enemies,
the celestial river ( Gag ) is converted into the Vaitara* nay the whole world becomes
hotter than fire to him who is inimical to r Rma. The sage Nrada saw Jayanta (Indras
son ) in distress and was moved with pity; for saints are always tender of heart. The sage
sent him immediately to r Rma and he cried out, Save me, O friend of the suppliant !
Bewildered and terrified he went and clasped His feet and said, Mercy ! mercy ! O
gracious Lord of Raghus. I could not perceive Your incomparable might and matchless
glory, dull-witted as I am. I have reaped the fruit born by my own actions and have now
sought refuge in You. Protect me, my Lord! When the all-merciful Lord heard his most
piteous appeal, He let him go with the loss of one eye, O Prvat. (17)
0t- r r uf af sfa
rzs f r r r rrt + +
So.: knha moha basa droha jadyapi tehi kara badha ucita,
prabhu chReu kari choha ko kpla raghubra sama.2.
Even though in his infatuation Jayanta had antagonized the Lord and therefore
deserved death, the latter took compassion on him and let him go. Who is there so
merciful as the Hero of Raghus line? (2)
0rrfa fr f rr fa f >rfa r rr+
f r rr r;f t f rf rr+ {+
f- fr r; tar fa r;+
fr r>r n a rf fa + +
fa nra fr sf r f r ra f r+
a za f s r rf -r+ -+
f r f z r r f r>r a r+
f r f r f r+ +
Cau.: raghupati citrakua basi nn, carita kie ruti sudh samn.
bahuri rma asa mana anumn, hoihi bhra sabahi

mohi jn.1.
sakala muninha sana bid kar, st sahita cale dvau bh.
atri ke rama jaba prabhu gaya u, sunata mahmuni haraita bhayau.2.
pulakita gta atri uhi dhe, dekhi rmu tura cali e.
karata daavata muni ura le, prema bri dvau jana anhave.3.
dekhi rma chabi nayana juRne, sdara nija rama taba ne.
kari puj kahi bacana suhe, die mula phala prabhu mana bhe.4.
* The name of a river in hell, which the dead have to cross before entering the infernal regions. It is
represented as a filthy stream full of blood, hair and bones and every other kind of impurity. It can be crossed
only with the help of a cow that may have been gifted by the deceased during his life-time.
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ARA NYA-K NA
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651
Staying at Citrakua the Lord of Raghus performed exploits of many kinds, which
are sweet to the ear as nectar. r Rma then thought to Himself, People will throng here
now that (everyone has come to know me. Taking leave of all the hermits, therefore, the
two brothers ( r Rma and Lakmaa ) left the place with St. When the Lord repaired
to Atris hermitage, the great sage was rejoiced at the news. Thrilling all over ( with joy)
Atri sprang up and ran to meet Him; and seeing him come r Rma too advanced
hurriedly towards him. Even as the two brothers prostrated themselves the sage lifted
them, and clasping them to his bosom bathed them with tears of love. His eyes were
gladdened by the sight of r Rmas beauty and then he reverently escorted them to his
hermitage. Paying his homage to the Lord he spoke kind words to Him and offered Him
roots and fruits, which He relished much. (14)
0 r rt f r rr ff
f t rf rf tafa a+ -+
So.: prabhu sana sna bhari locana sobh nirakhi,
munibara parama prabna jori pni astuti karata.3.
As the Lord took His seat Atri (the chief of sages), supremely wise as he was,
feasted his eyes on His loveliness, and joining his palms proceeded to extol Him(3)
0rf + - r rt r+
rf a r rfr tr+ {+
fr r rrr +
r rf r r+ +
r f r +
fn r r frr r+ -+
fr r z r r z+
t a rf + +
r f fa rf fa+
frq r fn ta rr+ ~+
rf ;fr fa r ar nfa+
rf+ r rt fa fr+ +
-frr r fa t -r+
afa r rr fa tf + +
ff+ rf r fa + r+
ft ; f rf rfa a nfa t+ c+
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652
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
a a ftt4 f+
n= rr4a at + +
rf r rfnr +
t+ r r -+ {+
= fa arfr fa+
t rf a r f+ f + {{+
fa ta ; rr a +
fa rr r -t f+ ar+ {+
Cha.: nammi bhakta vatsala, kplu la komala.
bhajmi te padbuja, akmin svadhmada.01.
nikma yma sudara, bhavmbuntha madara.
praphulla kaja locana, maddi doa mocana.02.
pralaba bhu vikrama, prabhoprameya vaibhava.
niaga cpa syaka, dhara triloka nyaka.03.
dinea vaa maana, mahea cpa khaana.
mundra sata rajana, surri vda bhajana.04.
manoja vairi vadita, ajdi deva sevita.
viuddha bodha vigraha, samasta duapaha.05.
nammi idir pati, sukhkara sat gati.
bhaje saakti snuja, ac pati priynuja.06.
tvadaghri mula ye nar, bhajati hna matsar.
patati no bhavrave, vitarka vci sakule.07.
vivikta vsina sad, bhajati muktaye mud.
nirasya idriydika, prayti te gati svaka.08.
tamekamadbhuta prabhu, nirhamvara vibhu.
jagadguru ca vata, turyameva kevala.09.
bhajmi bhva vallabha, kuyogin sudurlabha.
svabhakta kalpa pdapa, sama susevyamanvaha. 10.
anupa rupa bh upati, natohamurvij pati.
prasda me nammi te, padbja bhakti dehi me. 11.
pahati ye stava ida, nardarea te pada.
vrajati ntra saaya, tvadya bhakti sayut.12.
I reverence You, who are so fond of Your devotees, compassionate and gentle
of disposition. I adore Your lotus feet, which vouchsafe to Your selfless lovers a quarter
in Your own abode. You are possessed of an exquisitely beautiful swarthy form; You are
Mount Mandara as it were to churn the ocean of mundane existence;You have eyes like
the full-blown lotus and rid Your votaries of pride and other vices. Immense is the might
of Your long arms and immeasurable Your glory. You carry on Your person a quiver, a
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ARA NYA-K NA
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653
bow and an arrow, O Lord of the three worlds ! The ornament of the solar race, You
broke the bow of the great Lord iva. Delighting the greatest sages and saints, You
crush the host of demons ( the enemies of gods ). You are an object of reverence to Lord
iva, and are adored by Brahm and other divinities. An embodiment of pure consciousness,
You destroy all evils. I bow to Lakms lord, the fountain of joy and the salvation of
saints. I adore You with Your Spouse (St) and younger brother (Lakmaa), Yourself
a beloved younger Brother* of Indra ( achs lord). Men who worship the sole of Your
feet and are free from jealousy sink not into the ocean of metempsychosis, turbulent with
the billows of wrangling. They who, living in seclusion, constantly worship You with their
senses and mind etc., fully subdued for the sake of attaining liberation are able to realize
their own self. I adore Him, the mysterious Lord, who is one (without a second),
desireless, all-powerful and omnipresent, the teacher of the world, eternal, transcending
the three Guas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) and absolute (self-existent). I adore Him
who is fond of devotion, who is most difficult of access to sensually-minded strivers but
who is a wish-yielding tree to His own devotees, nay, who is impartial and so easy to
worship from day to day. I bow to Sts lord, King Rma of matchless beauty. I
reverence You; be gracious to me and grant me devotion to Your lotus feet. Men who
recite this hymn with reverence undoubtedly attain Your abode, acquiring devotion to
Your feet at the same time. (112)
0fat f f r; f= rf rf
r= r f a fa rf+ +
Do.: binat kari muni ni siru kaha kara jori bahori,
carana saroruha ntha jani kabahu tajai mati mori.4.
Having prayed thus the sage bowed his head, and joining his palms spoke again:
My mind, O Lord, may never abandon Your lotus feet. (4)
0;r nf tar ft rf t ftar+
fffat fr; rf ; f r;+ {+
f fr fa a r+
ff rt rf r rt+ +
ra far rar fart fa rrt+
fa rf ar t r rf r at+ -+
t fr = rt r r ff=rf rt+
q rn z tr f rt fa tr+ +
fa f rr rf r rr+
; a r r fa r+ ~+
n faar rf ff t r a t+
s-r rt r = n rt+ +
* The Lord is here identified with Bhagavn Vmana ( the divine Dwarf), who was born of Aditi
( Kayapas wife) as a younger brother of Indra.
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654
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
fa ; rar far r f +
frf fr ; r ffy fr >rfa ;+ +
f a r; r rf n r;+
fa fa fa ; r a ;+ c +
rfn a rt r af r rt+
f >r rf nfa ; faa rfz n;+ +
fa fa r; fr r; r; a=r;+ {+
Cau.: anusuiy ke pada gahi st, mil bahori susla bint.
riipatin mana sukha adhik, sia dei nikaa baih.1.
dibya basana bhuana pahire, je nita nutana amala suhe.
kaha riibadhu sarasa mdu bn, nridharma kachu byja bakhn.2.
mtu pit bhrt hitakr, mitaprada saba sunu rjakumr.
amita dni bhart bayadeh, adhama so nri jo seva na teh.3.
dhraja dharma mitra aru nr, pada kla parikhiahi

cr.
bddha rogabasa jaRa dhanahn, adha badhira krodh ati dn.4.
aisehu pati kara kie apamn, nri pva jamapura dukha nn.
ekai dharma eka brata nem, kya bacana mana pati pada prem.5.
jaga patibrat cri bidhi ahah

, beda purna sata saba kahah

.
uttama ke asa basa mana mh

, sapanehu na purua jaga nh

.6.
madhyama parapati dekhai kaise , bhrt pit putra nija jaise .
dharma bicri samujhi kula raha, so nikia triya ruti asa kaha.7.
binu avasara bhaya te raha jo, jnehu adhama nri jaga so.
pati bacaka parapati rati kara, raurava naraka kalpa sata para.8.
chana sukha lgi janama sata ko, dukha na sumujha tehi sama ko kho.
binu rama nri parama gati laha, patibrata dharma chRi chala gaha.9.
pati pratikula janama jaha j, bidhav hoi pi tarun.10.
Then St, who was so good natured and modest, met Anasuy ( Atris wife ) and
clasped her feet. The sages wife felt extremely pleased at heart; she blessed Her and
seating Her by her side arrayed Her in heavenly robes and ornaments that remained
ever new, clean and charming. In affectionate and mild tones the holy woman then
proceeded to discourse on some wifely virtues, making Her an occasion for such
discourse: Listen, O Princess: a mother, father and brother are all kind to us; but they
bestow only limited joy. A husband, however, bestows unlimited joy (in the shape of
blessedness), O Videhas daughter; vile is the woman who refuses to serve him.
Fortitude, piety a friend and a wifethese four are put to the test only in times of
adversity. A woman who treats her husband with disrespecteven though he is old,
sick, dull-headed, indigent, blind, deaf, wrathful or most wretchedshall suffer various
torments in hell (the abode of Yama). Devotion of body, speech and mind to her lords
feet is the only duty, sacred vow and penance of a woman. There are four types of
faithful wives in this world: so declare the Vedas, the Puras and all the saints. A
woman of the best type is convinced in her heart of hearts that she cannot even dream
in this world of a man other than her lord. The middling regards anothers husband as
her own brother, father or son ( according to his age). She who is restrained by
considerations of virtue or by the thought of her race is declared by the Vedas as a low
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655
woman. And know her to be the lowest woman in this world, who is restrained only by
fear and want of opportunity. The woman who deceives her husband and loves a
paramour is cast for a hundred cycles into the worst form of hell known by the name of
Raurava. Who is so depraved as the woman who for the sake of a moments pleasure
reckons not the torment that shall endure for a thousand million births! The woman
who sincerely takes a vow of fidelity to her husband easily attains the highest state; while
she who is disloyal to her lord is widowed as soon as she attains her youth wherever
she may be reborn. (110)
0 rf rf fa a nfa ;
nra >r fa rf a fr ff f + ~ (+
tar a r ff rf faa f
arf rf r fs r r fa+ ~ (+
So.: sahaja apvani nri pati sevata subha gati lahai,
jasu gvata ruti cri ajahu tulasik harihi priya.5(A).
sunu st tava nma sumiri nri patibrata karahi

,
tohi prnapriya rma kahiu kath sasra hita.5(B).
A woman is impure by her very birth; but she attains a happy state (hereafter) by
serving her lord. (It is due to her loyalty to her husband that) Tulas is loved by r Hari
even to this day and her glory is sung by all the four Vedas. Listen, St: women will
maintain their vow of fidelity to their husband by invoking your very name, r Rma
being dear to you as your own life. It is for the good of the world that I have spoken to
you on the subject. (5 A-B)
0f rt rr r ar f= rr+
a f rfrr r r; rs rr+ {+
aa r r rf a f +
rt f r f rt+ +
r r f rt a r rt+
a ar r r fr t sr + -+
rt >rt ar; t arf fr;+
f r fa f r; ar t r;+ +
f ff r trt r ar art+
f frf f tr r tr+ ~+
Cau.: suni jnak

parama sukhu pv, sdara tsu carana siru nv.

taba muni sana kaha kpnidhn, yasu hoi ju bana n.1.
satata mo para kp kareh u, sevaka jni tajehu jani nehu.
dharma dhuradhara prabhu kai bn, suni saprema bole muni gyn.2.
jsu kp aja siva sanakd, cahata sakala paramratha bd.
te tumha rma akma pire, dna badhu mdu bacana ucre.3.
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656
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*
aba jn mai

r catur, bhaj tumhahi saba deva bih.

jehi samna atisaya nahi

ko, t kara sla kasa na asa ho.4.

kehi bidhi kahau jhu aba svm, kahahu ntha tumha atarajm.
asa kahi prabhu biloki muni dhr, locana jala baha pulaka sarr.5.
Janakas Daughter (St) was overjoyed to hear this discourse and reverently
bowed Her head at the feet of Anasuy. The All-merciful then said to the sage, With your
permission I would go to some other forest. Continue to shower your grace on me; and
knowing me to be your servant never cease loving me. Hearing these words of the Lord,
who was a champion of virtue the enlightened sage lovingly replied, You are the same
Rma ( the supreme Deity), the beloved of the desireless and the friend of the meek,
whose favour is sought by Brahm (the Unborn), Lord iva, the sage Sanaka and all
other preachers (knowers) of the highest Reality; and yet you are addressing such polite
words to me. I now understand the wisdom of r (Goddess Lakm), who chose You
(as Her Lord) to the exclusion of all other gods. How can He who is unequalled and
unsurpassed by anyone else be less amiable than He is! How can I say,You may go
now, my lord? Tell me, my master, knowing as You do the hearts of all. Having spoken
thus the sage kept gazing on the Lord, thrilling all over with emotion and his eyes flowing
with tears. (15)
0a f f
r n nrata t a r f+
rn a nfa r;
rrt fa ta ff f r at nr;+
Cha.: tana pulaka nirbhara prema purana nayana mukha pakaja die.
mana gyna guna gotta prabhu ma

dkha japa tapa k kie,

japa joga dharma samuha te nara bhagati anupama pva.
raghubra carita punta nisi dina dsa tulas gva,
Thrilling all over with excess love, the sage rivetted his eyes on the Lords lotus
face. He thought to himself,What prayers did I mutter and what austerity did I perform that
I was enabled to behold with my own eyes the Lord who is beyond all knowledge and
transcends the three Guas as well as the senses and mind. It is through Japa (muttering
of prayers). Yoga (concentration of mind) and a host of religious observances that man
acquires devotion, which is incomparable ( as a means of God-Realization). So does
Tulasdsa sing the all-holy exploits of r Rma (the Hero of Raghus line) day and night.
0f r
r f fa- r f + (+
0f r r r rn
ff r rf f a a + (+
Do.: kalimala samana damana mana rma sujasa sukhamula,
sdara sunahi

je tinha para rma rahahi

anukula. 6(A).
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*
657
So.: kahina kla mala kosa dharma na gyna na joga japa,
parihari sakala bharosa rmahi bhajahi

te catura nara.6(B).
The praises of r Rma destroy the impurities of the Kali age, subdue the mind
and are a source of delight. r Rma remains ever propitious to those who listen to them
with reverence. This terrible age (of Kali) is a repertory of sins; piety, spiritual wisdom,
Yoga or Japa are out of place in this age. They alone, are wise, who worship r Rma
giving up all other hopes. (6 A-B)
0f r; f tr f f ;r+
rn r f r f fa r + {+
s t >rt r; t zr t f rr t+
far fnf rr rrrr fa frf f rr+ +
rf rrrr f rr a a rr+
fr fr n rar rat rrt frar+ -+
aaf =f = af rr f t f r rr+
f r f nr rt nr+ +
Cau.: muni pada kamala ni kari ss, cale banahi sura nara muni s.
ge rma anuja puni pche , muni bara bea bane ati kche .1.
ubhaya bca r sohai kais, brahma jva bica my jais.
sarit bana giri avaghaa gh, pati pahicni dehi

bara b.2.
jaha jaha jhi

deva raghury, karahi

megha taha taha nabha chy.

mil asura birdha maga jt, vatah

raghubra nipt.3.
turatahi

rucira rupa tehi

pv, dekhi dukh nija dhma pahv.

puni e jaha muni sarabhag, sudara anuja jnak sag.4.
Bowing His head at the lotus feet of the sage, r Rma, the Lord of celestials,
human beings and sages, proceeded to the woods. r Rma walked foremost, while
Lakmaa followed Him in the rear, both appearing most lovely in the garb of hermits.
Between the two St ( who was the same as r, the Goddess of Prosperity) shone forth
like My, which stands between Brahma (the Absolute) and the Jva (the individual
soul). Rivers and thickets, hills and rugged valleys recognized their Lord and gave Him
a smooth passage. Wherever the divine Lord of Raghus passed the clouds made a
canopy in the heavens, Even as the trio wended their way the demon Virdha met them;
and the Hero of Raghus line overthrew him as soon as he made his appearance.
(Meeting his death at the hands of the Lord), he immediately attained a beauteous
(divine) form; finding him lead a miserable existence the Lord sent him to His own abode,
Accompanied by His lovely younger brother (Lakmaa) and Janakas Daughter (St)
the Lord then visited the sage arabhaga. (14)
0f r f r n
r r a fa - - n+ +
Do: dekhi rma mukha pakaja munibara locana bhga,
sdara pna karata ati dhanya janma sarabhaga.7.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
658
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Gazing on r Rmas lotus face the eyes of the great sage reverently drank in
its beauty like bees. Blessed indeed was the birth of arabhaga! (7)
0 f rrt rr r rrr+
ra s f f rr s >r f rr+ {+
faa s f rat f zrt rat+
r r tr t-t r rf tr+ +
r rf frr f rs rr+
a fn t fa rnt fn f arf a -rnt+ -+
rn a a t-r ; nfa t-r+
f ff f f nr z rfz nr+ +
Cau.: kaha muni sunu raghubra kpl, sakara mnasa rjamarl.
jta raheu biraci ke dhm, suneu ravana bana aihahi

rm.1.
citavata patha raheu dina rt, aba prabhu dekhi juRn cht.
ntha sakala sdhana mai

hn, knh kp jni jana dn.2.

so kachu deva na mohi nihor, nija pana rkheu jana mana cor.
taba lagi rahahu dna hita lg, jaba lagi milau tumhahi tanu tyg.3.
joga jagya japa tapa brata knh, prabhu kaha dei bhagati bara lnh.
ehi bidhi sara raci muni sarabhag, baihe hdaya chRi saba sag.4.
Said the sage,Listen, gracious Rma (the Hero of Raghus line), the swan
disporting in the Mnasa lake of Lord ivas heart; I was about to leave for Brahms
abode when the report reached my ears that r Rma (Yourself) was coming to the
forest. I have ever since watched the road day and night. My heart is now soothed at
the sight of my lord. I have accomplished nothing (to deserve Your grace); yet You have
shown Your grace to me knowing me to be Your humble servant. Really speaking,
however, You have done me no favour, my lord; You have only redeemed Your vow, O
Stealer of Your devotees hearts! For the sake of this humble servant remain here
(before my eyes) till I have quitted this body and meet You ( in Your own abode). So
saying the sage offered to the Lord whatever practice of Yoga, sacrifices, Japa
(muttering of prayers), penance and fasting he had done, and received in return the boon
of Devotion. Having thus acquired the rare gift of Devotion the sage arabhaga
prepared a funeral pile and discarding all attachment from his heart ascended it. (14)
0tar a t a tr
f fa n= >rtr+ c+
Do.: st anuja sameta prabhu nla jalada tanu syma,
mama hiya basahu niratara sagunarupa rrma.8.
Constantly abide in my heart, O Lord, with St and your younger brother (Lakmaa)
in Your qualified and embodied form swarthy as a dark cloud, O graceful Rma! (8)
0 f rn fnf a rr r r frr+
ara f f t f nfa + {+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
659
ff fr f nfa t t f z ft+
tafa f f r fa a fa =r r+ +
f rrr rn f f n rn+
ft f rrrr t f- rfn fa rr+ -+
ra f trt t ar art+
ff f f r f rrt r+ +
Cau.: asa kahi joga agini tanu jr, rma kp

baikuha sidhr.
tte muni hari lna na bhaya u, prathamahi

bheda bhagati bara layau.1.

rii nikya munibara gati dekh, sukh bhae nija hdaya bise.
astuti karahi

sakala muni bd, jayati pranata hita karun kad.2.

puni raghuntha cale bana ge, munibara bda bipula sa ga lge.
asthi samuha dekhi raghury, puch muninha lgi ati dy.3.
jnatah u

puchia kasa svm, sabadaras tumha atarajm.

nisicara nikara sakala muni khe, suni raghubra nayana jala che.4.
Having said so he burnt his body with the fire of Yoga* and by the grace of r
Rma rose to Vaikuha. The sage was not absorbed into the person of r Hari for this
simple reason that he had already received the boon of personal devotion. The multitude
of sages (assembled on the occasion) who saw the high state to which the great sage
had now been translated were greatly delighted at heart. All the hosts of sages now
extolled the Lord, Glory to the friend of the suppliant, the fountain of mercy. Then the
Lord of Raghus went on further into the forest and many a host of great sage followed
Him. Seeing a heap of bones the Lord of Raghus was moved with great compassion and
enquired the hermits about the same. Though knowing everything, how is it that You ask
us, our master? We know You are all-seeing and can read the innermost feelings of all.
Hosts of demons have devoured all the sages. The eyes of r Rma (the Hero of
Raghus race) filled with tears when He heard this. (14)
0ff t s f sr; t-
f- r>rf- r; r; t-+ +
Do.: nisicara hna karau mahi bhuja uhi pana knha,
sakala muninha ke ramanhi ji ji sukha dnha.9.
With uplifted arms He took a vow to rid the earth of demons. Then He gladdened
all the hermits by visiting their hermitages one by one. (9)
0f nfta fr rr r at fa nrr+
r r r + {+
rn >r f rr a r ra rr+
ff t rrrr r ff rr+ +
fa rf r nrr; fff f t r;+
r f r rt nfa ffa r rt+ -+
* Fire produced by Yogs through the friction of the vital airs within the body.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
660
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
f an rn rnr f rnr+
rf =rfr t r f r nfa r t+ +
r; r r f r+
f n f rt f r; r r rt+ ~ +
ff = fff f rr r s r f rr+
ff r f r; - ; n nr;+ +
f nfa f r; a= r r;+
fa tfa f rrtr n z tr+ +
f n rr r; r t r+
a rrr f f r f r f r+ c +
ff r rfa nrr rn rfa rr+
= a r rr z a = rr+ +
f r; sr a f t f f +
rn f r a trr tar fa rr+ {+
s ; f- rnt n f z rnt+
fr nf f sr; tfa r s r;+ {{+
ff fa r rr a=f arr+
r fr f r r r fr rr ff r r+ {+
Cau.: muni agasti kara siya sujn, nma sutchana rati bhagavn.
mana krama bacana rma pada sevaka, sapanehu na bharosa na devaka.1.
prabhu gavanu ravana suni pv, karata manoratha tura dhv.
he bidhi dnabadhu raghury, mo se saha para karihahi

dy.2.
sahita anuja mohi rma gos

, milihahi

nija sevaka k n

.
more jiya bharosa dRha nh

, bhagati birati na gyna mana mh

.3.
nahi

satasaga joga japa jg, nahi

dRha carana kamala anurg.

eka bni karunnidhna k, so priya jke gati na na k.4.
hoihai

suphala ju mama locana, dekhi badana pakaja bhava mocana.

nirbhara prema magana muni gyn, kahi na ji so das bhavn.5.
disi aru bidisi patha nahi

sujh, ko mai

caleu kah

nahi

bujh.
kabahu ka phiri pche puni j, kabahu ka ntya karai guna g.6.
abirala prema bhagati muni p, prabhu dekhai

taru oa luk.
atisaya prti dekhi raghubr, pragae hdaya harana bhava bhr.7.
muni maga mjha acala hoi bais, pulaka sarra panasa phala jais.
taba raghuntha nikaa cali e, dekhi das nija jana mana bhe.8.
munihi rma bahu bh

ti jagv, jga na dhynajanita sukha pv.

bhupa rupa taba rma durv, hdaya caturbhuja rupa dekhv.9.
muni akuli uh taba kaise , bikala hna mani phani bara jaise .
ge dekhi rma tana sym, st anuja sahita sukha dhm.10.
pareu lakua iva carananhi lg, prema magana munibara baRabhg.
bhuja bisla gahi lie uh, parama prti rkhe ura l.11.
munihi milata asa soha kpl, kanaka taruhi janu bhea taml.
rma badanu biloka muni hRh, mnahu citra mjha likhi kRh.12.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
661
The sage Agastya had a learned disciple, Sutka by name, who was a great lover
of the Lord. He was devoted to r Rmas feet in thought, word and deed and had no faith
in any other deity even in dream. As soon as the news of the Lords approach reached his
ears he rushed out hurriedly, indulging in his own fancy: Will the Lord of Raghus, the
befriender of the meek, O good heavens, ever show His grace to a wretch like me? Will
Lord r Rma and His younger brother receive me as their own servant? I have no
unswerving faith in my heart nor is my mind illumined by the light of devotion, dispassion
or wisdom. I have no association with saints and practise neither Yoga (concentration of
mind) nor Japa ( muttering of prayers), nor the ritual. Nor do I claim any steadfast devotion
to the Lords lotus feet. I bank on one characteristic of the all-merciful Lord; He holds the
devotee dear who depends exclusively on HIm. This inspires me with the hope that my
eyes will be rewarded today by the sight of the Lords lotus face, that delivers one from the
bondage of worldly existence. The wise was drowned in a flood of love; his condition. O
Prvat, cannot be described in words. He had no idea of the four quarters, much less of
the intermediate points of the compass; nor could he make out the track. He did not know
who he was or whither bound. He would now turn back and then resume his journey in the
same direction; and now he would dance and sing songs of praise. The sage had been
gifted with devotion of the nature of intense love and the Lord watched him hiding behind
a tree. When the Hero of Raghus line, who dispels the fear of transmigration, saw the
sages excessive love, He revealed Himself in his heart. The sage sat motionless in the
middle of the road, his body bristling like a jack-fruit with its hair standing on end. The Lord
of Raghus thereupon drew near and was delighted at heart to see the state of His devotee.
r Rma tried many ways to rouse the sage; but he would not wake, lost as he was in
the ecstasy of his vision. r Rma then withdrew His kingly guise and manifested His four-
armed form in the sages heart. The sage thereupon started up in great agony, growing as
restless as a noble serpent that has lost the gem on its head. But seeing before him the
blissful Rma in His swarthy form with St and His younger brother (Lakmaa), the great
and blessed sage was overwhelmed with affection and dropped like a log at His feet.
Taking him in His long arms the Lord lifted him and with utmost affection pressed him to
His bosom. While embracing the sage the gracious Lord shone forth like a Tamla tree
meeting a tree of gold. The sage gazed on r Rmas face standing motionless like a figure
drawn in a picture. (112)
0a f z t f nf rf r
f r>r rf f r ff r+ {+
Do.: taba muni hdaya dhra dhari gahi pada brahi

bra,
nija rama prabhu ni kari puj bibidha prakra.10.
Summoning courage in his heart and clasping His feet again and again the sage
then conducted the Lord to his hermitage and offered Him homage in many ways. (10)
0 f fat rt tafa ff art+
fr fa rf fa rt f - ura rt+ {+
r ar r rt r f ft +
rfr r r f art f f a >rtrrt + +
r ff rr rr a r= r r+
ffr f = nr rra r r n r+ -+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
662
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
=r rt r tar r frr+
zf r r r f r s r frr+ +
r n snr r r a fr+
rra r r r =+ ~ +
fnr nr f = -rr fnr nrata+
fur f r f r + +
+ rr rr a r r r+
fa rn rn a rra r f a+ +
afa ar r f f f r+
nr nr aa r ara r+ c +
f f r frt z f a rt+
af >rt fa rt a f rrt+ +
rf a r trt n n s art+
r r fa rf r s r r z r+ {+
fr r; f r rrfa fa r +
f f r r f f f s r+ {{+
r r f rt r rn s r art+
f rr fr ; r r rr+ {+
arf t rn rrr; r rf r r;+
f nfa ffa frr r n r frr+ {-+
r t- r = rr r rf r rr+ {+
Cau.: kaha muni prabhu sunu binat mor, astuti karau kavana bidhi tor.
mahim amita mori mati thor, rabi sanmukha khadyota a jor.1.
yma tmarasa dma arra, ja mukua paridhana municra.
pi cpa ara kai tura, naumi niratara rraghuvra.2.
moha vipina ghana dahana knu, sata saroruha knana bhnu.
niicara kari varutha mgarja, trtu sad no bhava khaga bja.3.
arua nayana rjva suvea, st nayana cakora niea.
hara hdi mnasa bla marla, naumi rma ura bhu vila.4.
saaya sarpa grasana uragda, amana sukarkaa tarka vida.
bhava bhajana rajana sura y utha, trtu sad no kp varutha.5.
nirgua sagua viama sama rupa, jna gir gottamanupa.
amalamakhilamanavadyamapra , naumi rma bhajana mahi bhra.6.
bhakta kalpapdapa rma, tarjana krodha lobha mada kma.
ati ngara bhava sgara setu, trtu sad dinakara kula ketu.7.
atulita bhuja pratpa bala dhma, kali mala vipula vibhajana nma.
dharma varma narmada guagrma, satata a tanotu mama rma.8.
jadapi biraja bypaka abins, saba ke hdaya niratara bs.
tadapi anuja r sahita kharr, basatu manasi mama knanacr.9.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
663
je jnahi

te jnahu svm, saguna aguna ura atarajm.

jo kosala pati rjiva nayan, karau so rma hdaya mama ayan.10.
asa abhimna ji jani bhore, mai

sevaka raghupati pati more.

suni muni bacana rma mana bhe, bahuri harai munibara ura le.11.
parama prasanna jnu muni moh, jo bara mgahu deu so toh.
muni kaha mai

bara kabahu na jc, samujhi na parai jhuha k sc.12.

tumhahi nka lgai raghur, so mohi dehu dsa sukhad.
abirala bhagati birati bigyn, hohu sakala guna gyna nidhn.13.
prabhu jo dnha so baru mai

pv, aba so dehu mohi jo bhv.14.

Said the sage, Listen, O Lord, to my prayer: how am I to hymn Your praises? For
immeasurable is Your glory and scant my wit, which is as insignificant as the flash of
a fire-fly before the sun. I constantly glorify r Rma (the Chief of Raghus), with a body
dark as a string of blue lotuses, wearing a crown of matted locks on His head and clad
in a hermits robes, and carrying a bow and arrow in His hands with a quiver fastened
to His waist. The fire which consumes the thick forest of delusion, the sun that brings
delight to the lotus-like saints, the lion who kills the herd of elephants in the form of
demons, the hawk that kills the bird of metempsychosis, may He ever protect us. I extol
r Rma, whose eyes resemble the red lotus, who is elegantly dressed, who is a full
moon to Sts Cakora like eyes, who is a cygnet disporting in the Mnasa lake of Lord
ivas heart and who has a broad chest and long arms. A Garua to devour the serpent
of doubt, the queller of despair induced by heated controversy, the uprooter of transmigration,
the delighter of gods, the embodiment of compassion, may He ever protect us, I sing the
praises of r Rma, the reliever of earths burden, who is both with and without
attributes, who is partial as well as impartial, who transcends knowledge, speech and the
senses and has no compeer, nay, who is all-pure, all-comprehensive, faultless and
unlimited. A veritable garden of wish-yielding trees to His devotees, who keeps away
wrath, greed, pride and lust, who is most urbane in manners and the bridge to cross the
ocean of mundane existence, may that champion of the solar race ever protect me.
Matchless in power of arm, the home of strength, the armour for the protection of
righteousness, endowed with a host of delightful virtues, may that Rma whose very
Name wipes out the greatest sins of the Kali age, be ever propitious to me. Even though
He is passionless, all-pervading, imperishable and ever dwelling in the heart of all, let
Him abide in my thoughts as the Slayer of Khara roaming about in the woods with His
younger brother (Lakmaa) and St. Let alone, my lord, those who know You to be
both with and without attributes and the witness of all hearts. As for myself may r
Rma, the lotus-eyed Lord of Kosala, take up His abode in my heart. Let not this exalted
feeling disappear from my mind even in an unguarded moment that I am His servant and
the Lord of Raghus my master. r Rma was delighted at heart to hear the sages
words, and in His delight He pressed the great sage to His bosom again. Know Me to
be supremely pleased, O sage; I am prepared to grant you any boon you may choose
to ask. The sage replied, I have never asked any boon and know not what is real and
what unreal (what to choose and what to reject). Therefore, O Delighter of Your
devotees, grant me that which pleases You, O Lord of Raghus. May you become a
repository of worldly wisdom and goodness as well as of intense devotion, dispassion
and spiritual wisdom. I have received the boon that my Lord has been pleased to grant.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
664
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Now vouchsafe to me that which is cherished by me. (114)
0 rt fa r r r
f nn ; ; r fr+ {{+
Do.: anuja jnak sahita prabhu cpa bna dhara rma,
mama hiya gagana idu iva basahu sad nihakma.11.
Armed with a bow and arrow and accompanied by Your younger brother and
Janakas Daughter (St), O Lord r Rma, pray dwell forever like a moon in the
firmament of my heart, though free from every desire. (11)
0ta f rfrr f ff rr+
a f n r rf f r>r r+ {+
n rs n rt ar r frr rt+
f rff f ar; f n f r;+ +
a f nfa r f r>r r+
aa at n f n f za a + -+
r rrt rr r f na rrr+
r a t ff f a t+ +
a nfta aa sf r f frf r r+
f r; ff fa tfa f s r;+ ~+
r f f rt r r rt+
f f r r rf ra f r+ +
fn f r frf r+ +
Cau.: evamastu kari ramnivs, harai cale kubhaja rii ps.
bahuta divasa gura darasanu pe , bhae mohi ehi

rama e .1.
aba prabhu saga ju gura ph

, tumha kaha ntha nihor nh

.
dekhi kpnidhi muni catur, lie saga bihase dvau bh.2.
patha kahata nija bhagati an up, muni rama pahu ce surabhup.
turata sutchana gura pahi

gaya u, kari daavata kahata asa bhayau.3.

ntha kosaldhsa kumr, e milana jagata dhr.
rma anuja sameta baideh, nisi dinu deva japata hahu jeh.4.
sunata agasti turata uhi dhe, hari biloki locana jala che.
muni pada kamala pare dvau bh, rii ati prti lie ura l.5.
sdara kusala puchi muni gyn, sana bara baihre n.
puni kari bahu prakra prabhu puj, mohi sama bhgyavata nahi

duj.6.
jaha lagi rahe apara muni bd, harae saba biloki sukhakad.7.
So be it, said r Rma ( the Abode of Lakm) as He joyously started on His
visit to the jar-born sage, Agastya. It is a long time since I last saw my Guru and came
to live in this hermitage. Now, my lord, I will go with You to see my Guru; thus I am not
putting You under any obligation. The Fountain of Mercy saw through the sages
cleverness and both the brothers smiled as they took him with them. Discoursing on the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
665
way on the incomparable cult of devotion to His own feet r Rma (the King of the gods)
arrived at the hermitage of the sage ( Agastya). Sutka immediately saw his Guru and
after prostrating himself before the latter thus addressed him, My lord, the two sons of
King Daaratha (Kosalas lord), the support of the world, have come to see your
Rma, accompanied by His younger brother (Lakmaa) and Videhas Daughter (St),
whose Name you repeat night and day, venerable sir. Agastya started up as soon as
he heard this and ran; at the sight of r Hari his eyes filled with tears. The two brothers
fell at the sages lotus feet; but the sage took and clasped them to his bosom with the
utmost affection. Courteously enquiring after their welfare the enlightened sage conducted
them to an exalted seat and then offered worship in various ways to the Lord, saying
There is no other man so blessed as I am. Whatever other sages had assembled there,
were all delighted to behold the Fountain of Joy. (17)
0f - t r
; a faa r f r+ {+
Do.: muni samuha maha baihe sanmukha saba k ora,
sarada idu tana citavata mnahu nikara cakora.12.
As He sat in the midst of the assembly of sages with His face turned towards all
(and their eyes fixed on His moon-like face), they seemed like a bevy of Cakora birds
gazing on the autumnal moon. (12)
0a rrt r f rt ar r rt+
ar r f r rs ara ara f rrs + {+
r r rt f r r frt+
f r f rt r rf r rt+ +
ar ; r rrrt rs fr arrt+
f a= fr a rr zrrz frr+ -+
t r a rr ta f rf rr+
a - f rr a za r rs rr+ +
a ar rfa r; rf t r;+
rns rfar z >rt ar+ ~+
f nfa ffa anr r= tfa nr+
uf zr z ar nr f f ar+ +
a = rs rs ff ff n zr fa rs +
aa r- z r; ara rf rrr;+ +
r r r t af r+
z ta sn r f + c+
r a rr rr t f- rr+
r f r r; aaf t fr;+ +
Cau.: taba raghubra kah muni ph

, tumha sana prabhu durva kachu nh

.
tumha jnahu jehi krana yau , tte tta na kahi samujhyau .1.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
666
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
aba so matra dehu prabhu moh, jehi prakra mrau munidroh.
muni musukne suni prabhu bn, puchehu ntha mohi k jn.2.
tumharei

bhajana prabhva aghr, jnau mahim kachuka tumhr.

umari taru bisla tava my, phala brahma aneka niky.3.
jva carcara jatu samn, bhtara basahi

na jnahi

n.
te phala bhacchaka kahina karl, tava bhaya arata sad sou kl.4.
te tumha sakala lokapati s

, pu

chehu mohi manuja k n

.
yaha bara mgau kpniket, basahu hdaya r anuja samet.5.
abirala bhagati birati satasag, carana saroruha prti abhag.
jadyapi brahma akhaa anat, anubhava gamya bhajahi

jehi sat.6.
asa tava rupa bakhnau jnau , phiri phiri saguna brahma rati mnau .
satata dsanha dehu baR, tte mohi pu chehu raghur.7.
hai prabhu parama manohara h u

, pvana pacaba tehi n u

.
daaka bana punta prabhu karah u, ugra spa munibara kara harahu.8.
bsa karahu taha raghukula ry, kje sakala muninha para dy.
cale rma muni yasu p, turatahi

pacaba niar.9.
Then said r Rma (the Hero of Raghus line) to the sage, I have nothing to hide
from you, my lord. You know what for I have come; that is why, holy father, I have not
dwelt at length on this point. Now, my good sir, give me some advice, by following which
I may be able to kill the enemies of the hermits. The sage smiled when he heard the
Lords remarks. With what intention have You asked me this question? It is by virtue of
my devotion to You, O Destroyer of sins, that I know a bit of Your glory. Your My
(Creative Energy) is like a huge tree of the species known by the name of Udumbara,
with the countless multitudes of universes for its clustering fruits. The animate and
inanimate beings (inhabiting the various universes) are like the insects that dwell inside
the fruits and know of no other fruit (besides the one they inhabit ). The relentless and
dreadful Time-spirit devours these fruits; but even that (all-devouring) Time ever trembles
in fear of You. You, who are the suzerain lord of all the regional lords, have asked my
advice as though You were an ordinary human being. I ask this boon of You, O Home
of mercy: pray dwell in my heart with Your Spouse (St) and younger brother
(Lakmaa) and let me have intense devotion, dispassion, fellowship with the saints and
unbroken love for Your lotus feet. Even though I know You to be the same as the
indivisible and infinite Brahma (the Absolute), who can only be realized ( and cannot be
known by any other means) and is adored by the saints, and even though I depict You
as such, I feel enamoured of Your qualified form again and again. You have always
exalted Your servants; that is why You have thought fit to consult me, O Lord of Raghus.
There is, my lord, a most charming and holy spot; it is called Pacava. Sanctify the
Daaka forest (where it is situated) and redeem it from the terrible curse of the great
sage (ukrcrya). Take up Your abode there, O Lord of Raghus line, and show Your
grace to all the sages. On receiving the sages permission r Rma departed and drew
near to Pacava in no time. (19)
0ntr ; ff tfa r;
nrrt f n r;+ {-+
Do.: gdharja sai

bhea bhai bahu bidhi prti baRhi,

godvar nikaa prabhu rahe parana gha chi.13.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
667
He met Jayu (the king of vultures); and developing friendship with him in many
ways the Lord stayed near the Godvar, where He made Himself a thatched hut
of leaves. (13)
0 a r t- a rr t f tat rrr+
fnf t ar f r f f fa fa rf r+ {+
n n fa t na f t+
r f frr r n rrt frr+ +
r rtr f tr+
f r r; s f t r;+ -+
rf rr; r; r af r+
r frn = rr r nfa f rr+ +
Cau.: jaba te rma knha taha bs, sukh bhae muni bt trs.
giri bana nad

tla chabi che, dina dina prati ati hohi

suhe.1.
khaga mga bda anadita rahah

, madhupa madhura gujata chabi lahah

.
so bana barani na saka ahirj, jah

pragaa raghubra birj.2.

eka bra prabhu sukha sn, lachimana bacana kahe chalahn.
sura nara muni sacarcara s

, mai

puchau nija prabhu k n

.3.
mohi samujhi kahahu soi dev, saba taji karau carana raja sev.
kahahu gyna birga aru my, kahahu so bhagati karahu jehi

dy.4.
From the time r Rma took up His abode there the sages lived happily and were
rid of all fear. The hills, woods, streams and lakes were suffused with beauty and grew yet
more lovely day by day. The birds and deer were full of joy, and the bees with their sweet
humming looked very charming. Not even ea (the king of serpents) would be able to
describe the forest which was adorned by r Rma (the Chief of Raghus ) in His manifest
form. Once upon a time, as the Lord was sitting at ease, Lakmaa addressed Him in
guileless words: O Lord of gods, human beings, sages and all animate and inanimate
creation! I ask of You as of my own master. Instruct me, my lord, how I may be able to
adore the dust of Your feet to the exclusion of everything else. Discourse to me on spiritual
wisdom and dispassion as well as on My (Illusion); and also speak to me about Bhakti
(devotion), which You make an occasion for showering Your grace. (14)
0;t t rr;
ra r; fa r r r;+ {+
Do.: svara jva bheda prabhu sakala kahau samujhi,
jte hoi carana rati soka moha bhrama ji.14.
Also explain to me all the difference between God and the individual soul, so
that I may be devoted to Your feet and my sorrow, infatuation and delusion may
disappear. (14)
0r f s rr; ara fa fa r;+
= r ar a rr f t- t frr+ {+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
668
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
nr nr fn r; r rr r r;+
af ar r fur fur r+ +
y fa =r r t r r+
; n n r fa f f ar+ -+
r r s rt zr r rt+
f ara r frnt a ffq atf n -rnt+ +
Cau.: thorehi maha saba kahau bujh, sunahu tta mati mana cita l.
mai

aru mora tora tai

my, jehi

basa knhe jva niky.1.

go gocara jaha lagi mana j, so saba my jnehu bh.
tehi kara bheda sunahu tumha sou, bidy apara abidy dou.2.
eka dua atisaya dukhar up, j basa jva par bhavakup.
eka racai jaga guna basa jke , prabhu prerita nahi

nija bala tke .3.

gyna mna jaha ekau nh

, dekha brahma samna saba mh

.
kahia tta so parama birg, tna sama siddhi tni guna tyg.4.
I will explain everything in a nutshell; listen, dear brother, with your mind, intellect
and reason fully absorbed. The feeling of I and mine and you and yours is My
(Illusion), which holds sway over all created beings. Whatever is perceived by the senses
and that which lies within the reach of the mind, know it all to be My. And hear of its
divisions too: they are two, viz., knowledge and ignorance. The one (ignorance) is vile and
extremely painful, and has cast the ego into the sink of worldly existence. The other
(knowledge), which brings forth the creation and which holds sway over the three Guas
(Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) is directed by the Lord and has no strength of its own. Spiritual
wisdom is that which is free from all blemishes in the shape of pride* etc., and which sees
the Supreme Spirit equally in all. He alone, dear brother, should be called a man of supreme
dispassion, who has spurned all supernatural powers as well as the three Guas (of which
the universe is composed) as if of no more account than a blade of grass. (14)
0rr ; r r f r t
r- rr t+ {~+
Do.: my sa na pu kahu jna kahia so jva,
badha moccha prada sarbapara my preraka sva.15.
That alone deserves to be called a Jva (individual soul), which knows not My
nor God nor ones own self. And iva (God) is He who awards bondage and liberation
(according to ones deserts), transcends all and is the controller of My. (15)
* rmad Bhagavadgt enumerates the following characteristics which make for spiritual wisdom.
They are: absence of pride,freedom from hypocrisy, non-violence, forgiveness, guilelessness, devout service
of ones preceptor, purity of body and mind, steadfastness, subjugation of the mind, aversion to the objects of
sense, absence of egotism, pondering again and again on the painful character of and the evils inherent in
birth,death,old age and disease; absence of attachment and the feeling of mineness in respect of ones son,
wife, home, etc., and constant equipoise of mind both in favourable and unfavourable circumstances;
unflinching devotion to the Lord through exclusive attachment living in secluded and holy places and finding
no enjoyment in the company of men; fixity in self-knowledge and seeing God as the object of true knowledge
(vide XIII.711). The definition given here narrates the opposites of these virtues, viz., pride,hypocrisy,
violence and so on. The definition may be interpreted in a different way as well. It may be taken to mean that
spiritual wisdom cannot be attained through the ordinary means of cognition (Mnasa or Pramas) such as
perception, inference, verbal testimony and so on; it is self-evident (S ).
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
669
0r a ffa rn a rr r r- rr+
ra fn s r; r nfa na r;+ {+
r ar rr af rt r frr+
nfa ara r f; r a r; r+ +
nfa f r s rt n rf rf rt+
f f fa tat f f fa >rfa tat+ -+
f f f frnr a s rnr+
>rrf f+ rt tr fa fa rt+ +
a fa r r+
n= fa ra fa r rf r r+ ~+
n nra tr nn fnr tr+
r rf r ara f a ar+ +
Cau.: dharma te birati joga te gyn, gyna mocchaprada beda bakhn.
jte begi dravau mai

bh, so mama bhagati bhagata sukhad.1.

so sutatra avalaba na n, tehi dhna gyna bigyn.
bhagati tta anupama sukham ul, milai jo sata hoi

anukul.2.
bhagati ki sdhana kahau bakhn, sugama patha mohi pvahi

prn.
prathamahi

bipra carana ati prt, nija nija karma nirata ruti rt.3.
ehi kara phala puni biaya birg, taba mama dharma upaja anurg.
ravandika nava bhakti dRhh

, mama ll rati ati mana mh

.4.
sata carana pakaja ati prem, mana krama bacana bhajana dRha nem.
guru pitu mtu badhu pati dev, saba mohi kaha jnai dRha sev.5.
mama guna gvata pulaka sarr, gadagada gir nayana baha nr.
kma di mada dabha na jke , tta niratara basa mai

tke .6.
Dispassion results from the practice of virtue, while spiritual wisdom comes of
the practice of Yoga (concentration of mind); and wisdom is the bestower of liberation:
so declare the Vedas. And that which melts My heart quickly, dear brother, is Devotion,
which is the delight of My devotees. It stands by itself and requires no other prop;
whereas Jna (knowledge of God in His absolute formless aspect) and Vijna
(knowledge of the qualified aspect of God, both with and without form) depend on it.
Devotion, dear brother, is incomparable and the very root of bliss; it can be acquired only
by the favour of saint. I now proceed to tell you at some length the means of acquiring
Devotion, an easy path by which men find Me. In the first place a man should cultivate
excessive devotion to the feet of the Brhmaas and secondly he should remain engaged
in his own duty according to the lines laid down by the Vedas. This induces an aversion
to the pleasures of sense and dispassion in its turn engenders a love for My Cult (the Cult
of Devotion). This will bring steadfastness in the nine forms of Devotion* such as ravaa
(hearing of the Lords praises etc.,) and the mind will develop an excessive fondness for
My sports. Again, one should be extremely devoted to the lotus feet of saints and should
be persistent in the practice of adoration through mind, speech and action. He should
* The nine forms of Devotion as enumerated in rmad Bhgavata are: (1) ravaa (hearing of
the Lords praises and stories), (2) Krtana (chanting His Name, praises and stories), (3) Smaraa (fixing
ones thought on Him), (4) Pdasevana (adoring His feet); (5) Arcana (worshipping an image of the Lord),
(6) Vandana (making obeisance to Him), (7) Dsya (offering devout service to the Lord), (8) Sakhya
(cultivating friendship with Him) and (9) tmanivedana (offering oneself to the Lord).
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
670
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
recognize Me as his preceptor, father, mother, kinsman, lord, deity and all and should be
steadfast in My service. A thrill runs through his body as he sings My praises; his voice
gets choked and his eyes flow with tears; he is free from lust and other vices, pride and
hypocrisy. I am ever at the beck and call of such a devotee. (16)
0 rf nfa f fr
fa- z s r f>rr+ {+
Do.: bacana karma mana mori gati bhajanu karahi

nikma,
tinha ke hdaya kamala mahu karau sad birma.16.
Nay, I ever repose in the lotus heart of those who depend on Me in thought, word
and deed and who worship Me in a disinterested way. (16)
0nfa rn f fa rr f f- f= rr+
f ff n f tat a frn r n tat+ { +
r r ft y z r= ft+
t r n; rr f f ; n rr+ +
rar far r snrt = r fa rt+
r; f f rt ff ff ff frt+ - +
=f = f f r; rt a r;+
ar = r rt rn ff r frt+ +
= = n rt s rf r fa rt+
ara fn fs rt rr arf frt+ ~ +
taf fa; t rar ; r r rr rar+
n; f f fnt rt frf r rt+ +
f s- rr rt f ar rr+
r rr r f sf rr+ +
r frt t nfa ffrt+
rt r nrt f a rt+ c +
f ff r f r r; f f f r;+
f r arf r ; r a arf r f;+ +
a ffrf r f n; = na ;+
taf f rrr; r rr;+ {+
Cau.: bhagati joga suni ati sukha pv, lachimana prabhu carananhi siru nv.
ehi bidhi gae kachuka dina bt, kahata birga gyna guna nt.1.
supanakh rvana kai bahin, dua hdaya druna jasa ahin.
pacaba so gai eka br, dekhi bikala bhai jugala kumr.2.
bhrt pit putra uragr, purua manohara nirakhata nr.
hoi bikala saka manahi na rok, jimi rabimani drava rabihi bilok.3.
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*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
671
rucira rupa dhari prabhu pahi

j, bol bacana bahuta musuk.

tumha sama purua na mo sama nr, yaha sa joga bidhi rac bicr.4.
mama anurupa purua jaga mh

, dekheu khoji loka tihu nh

.
tte aba lagi rahiu kumr, manu mn kachu tumhahi nihr.5.
stahi citai kah prabhu bt, ahai kura mora laghu bhrt.
gai lachimana ripu bhagin jn, prabhu biloki bole mdu bn.6.
sudari sunu mai

unha kara ds, pardhna nahi

tora sups.
prabhu samartha kosalapura rj, jo kachu karahi

unahi saba chj.7.

sevaka sukha caha mna bhikhr, byasan dhana subha gati bibhicr.
lobh jasu caha cra gumn, nabha duhi dudha cahata e prn.8.
puni phiri rma nikaa so , prabhu lachimana pahi

bahuri pah.
lachimana kah tohi so bara, jo tna tori lja parihara.9.
taba khisini rma pahi

ga, rupa bhayakara pragaata bha.

stahi sabhaya dekhi raghur, kah anuja sana sayana bujh.10.
Lakmaa was greatly delighted to hear the above discourse on the discipline of
Bhakti (Devotion) and bowed his head at the feet of the Lord. In this way some days
were spent in discoursing on dispassion, spiritual wisdom, goodness and morality. Now
Rvaa (the notorious demon king of Lak) had a sister, urpaakh (lit., a woman
having nails as big as a winnowing fan) by name, who was foul-hearted and cruel as a
serpent. She once went to Pacava and was smitten with pangs of love at the sight of
the two princes. At the very sight of a handsome man, be he her own brother, father or
son, O Garua, a (wanton) woman gets excited and cannot restrain her passion, even
as the sun-stone emits fire when it is brought in front of the sun. Having assumed a
charming form she approached the Lord and with many a smile addressed the following
words to Him: There is no man like you and no woman like me. It is with great
deliberation that God has made this pair. I have ransacked the three spheres but have
found no suitable match for me in the whole universe. It is for this reason that I have till
now remained a virgin; my mind has been set at rest a bit only after seeing you. The
Lord cast a glance at St and said only this much: My younger brother is a bachelor.
She went to Lakmaa, who, knowing that she was their enemys sister, looked at his
lord and spoke in gentle tones: Listen, fair lady: I am His servant and a dependant; thus
you will have no comforts with me. My lord is all-powerful and the sovereign king of
Kosalapura (Ayodhy); whatever He does will be worthy of Him. A servant who aspires
for happiness, a beggar who expects honour, a person addicted to some vice who hopes
for riches, a profligate who seeks a blessed state after death, an avaricious man who
covets fame and a proud man who expects the four prizes of lifeall these men expect
to get milk by milking the heavens. Again she turned and came to r Rma; but the
Lord sent her back to Lakmaa. Said Lakmaa, He alone will wed you, who
deliberately casts all shame to the winds. Thereupon she went fretting and foaming to
r Rma and revealed her frightful demoniac form. The Lord of Raghus saw that St
was terrified and made a sign to His younger brother (Lakmaa). (110)
0f fa rrr r r r f tf-
ar r at tf-+ {+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
672
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Do.: lachimana ati lghava so nka kna binu knhi,
tke kara rvana kaha manau cunaut dnhi.17.
With great agility Lakmaa struck off her nose and ears, thereby inviting Rvaa
through her to a contest as it were. (17)
0r r f ; frr n n= rr+
f n; frar fn fn a = rar+ {+
af r f rr; rar f r;+
r ff f =r - r fnf r+ +
rr r rrrr rr rrr rr+
r rn f tt = >rfa rr tt+ -+
n fa rf rt nf - f rrt+
nf af nn sz rt f fa rt+ +
rs fa r; f r fa z r;+
f f z r r rr; r+ ~+
rff r fnf rr ff +
n f rt fa >rt rt+ +
f r f f rr ff f rz rr+ +
Cau.: nka kna binu bhai bikarr, janu srava saila geru kai dhr.
khara duana pahi

gai bilapt, dhiga dhiga tava paurua bala bhrt.1.

tehi

puch saba kahesi bujh, jtudhna suni sena ban.

dhe nisicara nikara bar uth, janu sapaccha kajjala giri juth.2.
nn bhana nnkr, nnyudha dhara ghora apr.
supanakh ge kari ln, asubha rupa ruti ns hn.3.
asaguna amita hohi

bhayakr, ganahi

na mtyu bibasa saba jhr.

garjahi

tarjahi

gagana uRh

, dekhi kaaku bhaa ati harah

.4.
kou kaha jiata dharahu dvau bh, dhari mrahu tiya lehu chaR.
dhuri puri nabha maala rah, rma boli anuja sana kah.5.
lai jnakihi jhu giri kadara, v nisicara kaaku bhayakara.
rahehu sajaga suni prabhu kai bn, cale sahita r sara dhanu pn.6.
dekhi rma ripudala cali v, bihasi kahina kodaa caRhv.7.
Without nose and ears she wore a hideous aspect and looked like a mountain
flowing with torrents of red ochre. She went sobbing to Khara and Duaa: Fie, fie upon
your manhood and strength, brothers! Questioned by them she told them everything in
detail; hearing her report the demon chiefs gathered an army. Swarming multitudes of
demons of diverse shapes rushed forth like hosts of winged mountains of collyrium
on vehicles of various kinds. They were infinite in number and were armed with terrible
weapons of various kinds. They placed at their head urpaakh shorn of her ears and
nose and thus presenting an inauspicious sight. Numberless ill-omens of a fearful nature
occured to them; but the host heeded them not, doomed as they all were to death. They
roared and bullied and sprang in the air; and the champions were filled with excessive
joy to see the army. Said one, Capture the two brothers alive and having captured them
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
673
kill them and carry off the woman. The vault of heaven was overhung with the dust
raised by them. (Seeing this) r Rma called His younger brother (Lakmaa) and said,
Take Janakas Daughter to some mountain-cave; a terrible array of demons has come.
Therefore, remain on your guard. Obedient to his lords command he withdrew (to a safe
retreat) with St, bow and arrow in hand. When r Rma saw that the hostile force had
advanced, He smiled as He strung His formidable bow. (17)
0rz f r; f ra r r
a a rff rf r n n r+
f f f n fr nf r ff rf
faa nr nr rrr frf +
Cha.:kodaa kahina caRhi sira jaa jua b

dhata soha kyo ,

marakata sayala para larata dmini koi so juga bhujaga jyo .
kai kasi niaga bisla bhuja gahi cpa bisikha sudhri kai,
citavata manahu mgarja prabhu gajarja gha nihri kai.
As He coiled His matted locks into a tuft on His head after stringing His formidable
bow, it seemed as if a pair of snakes were engaged in a conflict with countless
streaks of lightning on a mountain of emerald. Having girded up His quiver at His waist,
and clasping the bow with His long arms and putting His arrows in order, He looked
at the enemy even as a lion (the king of the beasts) would glare at a herd of large
elephants.
0 r; n n ra
r frf r ff rra + {c+
So.: i gae bagamela dharahu dharahu dhvata subhaa,
jath biloki akela bla rabihi gherata danuja.18.
Valiant champions came rushing with all speed shouting Seize him, seize him!
even as the demons* close round upon the rising sun finding it all alone. (18)
0 frf f zrt fa ; t rt+
f rf r rs r + {+
rn f a fa a a+
f - r; t f f ar;+ +
uf fnt tf- =r r f = r+
aa f rf r; ta r r;+ -+
* It is mentioned in our scriptures that a special class of demons known by the name of Mandehas
close round upon the rising sun, weapons in hand, every morning and are driven away by the drops of
water thrown into the air by way of Arghya in course of the Sandhy prayer. Thus it is all the more
necessary that every member of the twice-born classes should perform his Sandhy before sunrise every
morning without fail.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
674
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
r r ar arf r ar f ra r +
a- r r r; a r r r;+ +
rt nr t ar n ra ft+
f a f f zt r r t+ ~+
uf rrr f r r r+
r; rr ff r f as r + +
f f ar; f r r;+
a- r; aa f s fa + +
Cau.: prabhu biloki sara sakahi

na r, thakita bha rajancara dhr.

saciva boli bole khara d uana, yaha kou npablaka nara bhuana.1.
nga asura sura nara muni jete, dekhe jite hate hama kete.
hama bhari janma sunahu saba bh, dekh nahi

asi sudarat.2.
jadyapi bhagin knhi kur up, badha lyaka nahi

purua anup.
dehu turata nija nri dur, jata bhavana jhu dvau bh.3.
mora kah tumha thi sunvahu, tsu bacana suni tura vahu.
dutanha kah rma sana j, sunata rma bole musuk.4.
hama chatr mgay bana karah

, tumha se khala mga khojata phirah

.
ripu balavata dekhi nahi

arah

, eka bra klahu sana larah

.5.
jadyapi manuja danuja kula ghlaka, muni plaka khala slaka blaka.
jau na hoi bala ghara phiri jhu, samara bimukha mai

hatau na khu.6.
rana caRhi karia kapaa catur, ripu para kp parama kadar.
dutanha ji turata saba kahe u, suni khara duana ura ati daheu.7.
Even as they beheld the Lord the invading warriors could not discharge their
arrows; the whole demon host became powerless. Khara and Duaa summoned their
ministers and said, This prince, whoever he may be, is an ornament of the human
race. Of all the Ngas, demons, gods, human beings and sages that exist (in this
universe) we have seen, vanquished or slain many. But during our whole life, listen
to us, our brethren all, we have never beheld such beauty. Even though he has
disfigured our sister, he does not deserve death, peerless as he is among men.
Surrender to us at once the woman you have put in hiding somewhere and return
home with your life, both you and your brother. Deliver this message of mine to him
and return immediately with his reply. The heralds went to r Rma and delivered
the message to Him, in reply to which r Rma smilingly said, We are Katriyas
by birth and are given to hunting in the woods; wretches like you are the game that
we are tracking. We are never dismayed at the sight of a mighty foe and would give
battle to Death himself if he ever appeared before us. Though human beings, we are
the exterminators of the race of demons and, though youthful in appearance, we are
the protectors of the hermits and the torment of the wicked. If you have no strength
to fight, you had better return home; I will never kill an enemy who has turned his
back upon the field of battle. When you have come up to fight, it would be the height
of weakness to play wily pranks or to show compassion to your enemy. The heralds
returned forthwith and repeated all that they had been told. The heart of Khara and
Duaa was on fire when they heard it. (17)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
675
0s s s f r f tr
r ar f+ r frr r+
tf- r r rrr rr
f r rar r af r+
Cha.: ura daheu kaheu ki dharahu dhe bikaa bhaa rajancar,
sara cpa tomara sakti sula kpna parigha parasu dhar.
prabhu knhi dhanua akora prathama kahora ghora bhayvah,
bhae badhira bykula jtudhna na gyna tehi avasara rah.
Their heart was on fire and they exclaimed, Capture him, hearing which fierce
demon champions rushed forth, all armed with bows and arrows, steel clubs, pikes,
spears, scimitars, maces and axes. First of all the Lord gave His bow a twangshrill,
terrific and fearfulwhich deafened the ears of and dismayed the demons, who had no
sense left in them.
0rr r; r rf rrfa
rn r tr tr rfa+ { (+
fa- r fa f r rrt
arf r >r fn f rz f at+ { (+
Do.: svadhna hoi dhe jni sabala rti,
lge baraana rma para astra sastra bahu bh

ti.19(A).
tinha ke yudha tila sama kari ke raghubra,
tni sarsana ravana lagi puni ch

Re nija tra.19(B).
Having learnt that they were confronting a powerful enemy, the demon warriors
now rushed with caution and began to hurl missiles and weapons of various kinds on r
Rma. The Hero of Raghus line, however, tore them into pieces as small as sesamum
seeds and then drawing the bow-string to His ear let fly His own arrows. (19 A-B)
0a r r a r+
rs >rtr ff ffa fr+ {+
rf a at f ff t+
q atfs r; r rfn a r;+ +
a f f rf f rf+
r r a f r+ -+
f r rf rf+
rz f rr n f fr+ +
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
676
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
s t a n f +
faa rna r a r+ ~+
a a a z f sa f rz+
sza z f f ra =z+ +
n r nr f f r+ +
Cha.: taba cale bna karla, phukarata janu bahu byla.
kopeu samara rrma, cale bisikha nisita nikma.1.
avaloki kharatara tra, muri cale nisicara bra.
bhae kruddha tniu bhi, jo bhgi rana te ji.2.
tehi badhaba hama nija pni, phire marana mana mahu hni.
yudha aneka prakra, sanamukha te karahi

prahra.3.
ripu parama kope jni, prabhu dhanua sara sadhni.
ch

Re bipula nrca, lage kaana bikaa pisca.4.

ura ssa bhuja kara carana, jaha taha lage mahi parana.
cikkarata lgata bna, dhara parata kudhara samna.5.
bhaa kaata tana sata khaa, puni uhata kari paa.
nabha uRata bahu bhuja mua, binu mauli dhvata rua.6.
khaga kaka kka sgla, kaakaahi

kahina karla.7.
Then the terrible arrows sped forth, hissing like so many serpents. r Rma got
infuriated in battle and arrows, exceedingly sharp, flew from His bow. The demon
warriors turned and fled when they found the arrows so very keen . The three brothers
(Khara, D uaa and Triir) now flew into rage: Whoever flees from the battle-field will
be killed by us with our own hands. At this the warriors turned back, fully resolved to
die, and made a frontal attack with weapons of every description. Perceiving that the
enemy was exceedingly furious, the Lord fitted arrows to His bow and discharged many
a shaft of the Nrca type with the result that frightful fields began to be mowed down.
Trunks, heads, arms, hands and feet began to drop to the ground here, there and
everywhere. Pierced by shafts, they yelled and their trunks fell like mountains. The
bodies of the warriors were torn into a hundred pieces and resorting to deceptive
methods they stood up again. A number of arms and heads flew through the air and
headless trunks ran to and fro. Birds like kites and crows and jackals wrangled in a
cruel and awful way. (17)
0f a a fr t
ar t r ar r; rfnf t+
rrt r z zf - s fr
a f sf f = = f fnr+ {+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
677
art nf sza nt fr nf rt
nr rt r nzt szrt+
r r s fr f a
rf f f fafrf f + +
f+ ar r f rt
f r >rtrrt nfa fr zrt+
ff f frf rf zr rr
ff s rr r ff rr+ -+
f a sf fa a a rr fa rrt
za a frf t+
f f rrr fa a vr
f r f nr f f vr+ +
Cha.: kaakaahi

jabuka bhuta preta pisca kharpara sacah

,
betla bra kapla tla baji jogini nacah

.
raghubra bna pracaa khaahi

bhaanha ke ura bhuja sir,

jaha taha parah

uhi larahi

dhara dharu dharu karahi

bhayakara gir.1.
atvar

gahi uRhata gdha pisca kara gahi dhavah

,
sagrma pura bs manahu bahu bla guR uRvah

.
mra pachra ura bidre bipula bhaa kaha rata pare,
avaloki nija dala bikala bhaa tisirdi khara duana phre.2.
sara sakti tomara parasu sula kpna ekahi brah

,
kari kopa rraghubra para aganita niscara rah

.
prabhu nimia mahu ripu sara nivri pacri re syak,
dasa dasa bisikha ura mjha mre sakala nisicara nyak.3.
mahi parata uhi bhaa bhirata marata na karata my ati ghan,
sura arata caudaha sahasa preta biloki eka avadha dhan.
sura muni sabhaya prabhu dekhi myntha ati kautuka karyo,
dekhahi

parasapara rma kari sagrma ripudala lari maryo.4.

Jackals wrangled; ghosts, spirits and fiends filled the bowls of skulls with blood:
devils clashed the heads of slain warriors like cymbals and the Yogins* danced. r
Rmas fierce arrows tore to pieces the leaders breast, arms and heads; their bodies
fell on every side but stood up again to fight with terrible cries of Seize, capture!
Vultures flew away with the end of entrails in their claws, while goblins scampered with
the other end help in their hands; one might fancy numberless children of the town of
the battle-field were flying kites. A large number of champions, that had been smitten
* A class of female attendants on Lord iva or Goddess Durg, who are generally believed to be sixty-
four in number.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
678
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
or knocked down or whose breast had been torn, lay moaning. Finding their army in distress
leaders like Triir, Khara and Duaa turned towards r Rma. Countless demons
hurled furiously against the Hero of Raghus line arrows, spears, iron clubs, axes, javelins
and daggers all at once. In the twinkling of an eye the Lord warded off the enemys shafts
and sent forth His own arrows, planting ten shafts in the breast of each champion of the
demon host. The leaders fell to the ground but rose again and joined in the fray. Yet they
would not die and played very many tricks. The gods trembled with fear when they saw
that the demons numbered fourteen thousand, while the Lord of Ayodhy was all alone.
Finding the gods and sages alarmed, the Lord, who is the Controller of My (Cosmic
Illusion), wrought a great miracle. The demons saw one another in the form of r Rma,
so that the enemys warriors fought among themselves and perished. (14)
0r r f a af rf fr
f sr f r rfr+ (+
fa f rf nn fr
ta fa f f rfa ff fr+ (+
Do.: rma rma kahi tanu tajahi

pvahi

pada nirbna,
kari upya ripu mre chana mahu kpnidhna.20(A).
haraita baraahi

sumana sura bjahi

gagana nisna,
astuti kari kari saba cale sobhita bibidha bimna.20(B).
They quitted their body crying Rma! Rma!! and thereby attained the state of
eternal bliss. Falling back upon this device the Ocean of Mercy killed the enemy in an
instant. The gods in their exultation rained down flowers and kettle-drums sounded in the
heavens. And hymning their praises one after another they all left, shining in their cars
of various patterns. (20 A-B)
0 rrr f ta f ta+
a f taf r a f s r+ {+
tar fa tr nrar r rrrar+
t f >rtrrr a fa f r+ +
r f r r; r r r+
rt r f rt r fa frt+ -+
f r rf f rat f f a f rrat+
r tfa f f r ff f ar+ +
fur f f sr >r f = r+
n a at r a rr r a r r a rr+ ~+
tfa f a nt rf fn tfa t+ +
Cau.: jaba raghuntha samara ripu jte, sura nara muni saba ke bhaya bte.
taba lachimana stahi lai e, prabhu pada parata harai ura le.1.
st citava syma mdu gt, parama prema locana na aght.
pacaba

basi rragh unyaka, karata carita sura muni sukhadyaka.2.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
679
dhu

dekhi kharaduana ker, ji supanakh

rvana prer.
bol bacana krodha kari bhr, desa kosa kai surati bisr.3.
karasi pna sovasi dinu rt, sudhi nahi

tava sira para rt.

rja nti binu dhana binu dharm, harihi samarpe binu satakarm.4.
bidy binu bibeka upaje , rama phala paRhe kie aru pe .
saga te jat kumatra te rj, mna te gyna pna te lj.5.
prti pranaya binu mada te gun, nsahi

begi nti asa sun.6.

When the Lord of Raghus had vanquished the foe in battle, the gods, human
beings and sages were all rid of fear. Then Lakmaa brought St back; and as he fell
at His feet the Lord joyously clasped him to His bosom. St fixed Her gaze on His
swarthy and delicate form with utmost affection; but Her eyes knew no satiety. Thus
dwelling at Pacava the blessed Lord of Raghus performed deeds that delighted gods
and sages alike. Perceiving the destruction of Khara and D uaa, urpaakh approached
Rvaa and instigated him (against r Rma). In great fury she rated him in the
following words: Discarding all thought of your realm and exchequer you drink and sleep
day and night and take no heed of the enemy, who is now at your very door. Sovereignty
without political insight, wealth divorced from virtue, noble deeds that have not been
offered to r Hari (God) and learning which does not beget wisdom is nothing but
fruitless labour to the man who has gained such kingdom or wealth, to the doer of the
noble acts and to the student respectively. A recluse is quickly undone by attachment,
a king by evil counsel, wisdom by conceit, modesty by drinking, friendship by want of
love, and man of merit by vanity: such is the maxim I have heard. (16)
0f = r r f nf r f
f ff fr f rnt r + { (+
0r rr f r r r;
arf fa rf f f nfa r;+{ (+
So.: ripu ruja pvaka ppa prabhu ahi gania na choa kari,
asa kahi bibidha bilpa kari lg rodana karana.21(A).
Do.: sabh mjha pari bykula bahu prakra kaha roi,
tohi jiata dasakadhara mori ki asi gati hoi.21(B).
An enemy, a malady, fire, sin, a master, and a serpent are never to be accounted
trifles. So saying and with profuse laments she set to weeping. In her distress she threw
herself down in Rvanas court and with many a tear said, Do you think, my ten-headed
brother, that I should be reduced to this state even though you are alive? (21A-B)
0a r s r; rr; nf r sr;+
f f rar ; a rr r frar+ {+
fa r = frr r+
fr t rf s- t fa fr ff t+ +
f- r; r fa f r+
a r r rr t -t n rr+ -+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
680
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
afa ar rar a f rar+
rr r r rr fa- n rf trr+ +
= rf ff rf rt fa a rf ar frt+
ar r >rfa rr f a fnf f frr+ ~+
f n rr s- rr+
fafr rrrar f t nrar+ +
Cau.: sunata sabhsada uhe akul, samujh gahi b

ha uh.
kaha lakesa kahasi nija bt, kei

tava ns kna nipt.1.

avadha npati dasaratha ke je, purua sigha bana khelana e.
samujhi par mohi unha kai karan, rahita niscara karihahi

dharan.2.
jinha kara bhujabala pi dasnana, abhaya bhae bicarata muni knana.
dekhata blaka kla samn, parama dhra dhanv guna nn.3.
atulita bala pratpa dvau bhrt, khala badha rata sura muni sukhadt.
sobh dhma rma asa nm, tinha ke saga nri eka sym.4.
rupa rsi bidhi nri sa vr, rati sata koi tsu balihr.
tsu anuja ke ruti ns, suni tava bhagini karahi

parihs.5.
khara duana suni lage pukr, chana mahu sakala kaaka unha mr.
khara duana tisir kara ght, suni dasassa jare saba gt.6.
On hearing this the courtiers rose in great bewilderment; taking her by the arm
they lifted her up and comforted her. Said the king of Lak, Tell me what has happened
to you. Who has struck off your nose and ears? Two sons of Daaratha, the lord of
Ayodhy, who are lions among men, are out for hunting in the woods. The estimate that
I have formed of their doing is that they will rid the earth of demons. Relying on the might
of their arm, O ten-headed Rvaa, the hermits roam about the woods without fear.
Though quite young to look at, they are terrible as Death, the staunchest of archers and
accomplished in many ways. Both brothers are unequalled in might and glory; devoted
to the extermination of the wicked, they are a source of delight to gods and sages. The
elder of the two who is an abode of beauty, is known by the name of Rma; he has with
him a young belle. The Creator made that woman the very embodiment of loveliness; a
hundred million Ratis (consorts of the god of love) are trifles before her. It was his
younger brother (Lakmaa) who chopped off my ears and nose and made a mock of
me when he heard that I was your sister. When Khara and Duaa heard of it, they went
to avenge the wrong done to me; but Rma slew the whole army in a trice! The ten-
headed demon (Rvaa) burned all over (with rage) when he heard of the destruction of
Khara, Duaa and Triir. (16)
0f rr; f rf rfa
ns fa r t ; f rfa+ +
Do.: supanakhahi samujhi kari bala bolesi bahu bh

ti,
gayau bhavana ati socabasa nda parai nahi

rti.22.
Having consoled urpaakh he boasted of his strength in many ways; but he
retired to his palace full of great anxiety and could not sleep the whole night. (22)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
681
0 rn n rt r rs rt+
rf ar fa-f r r; f nar+ {+
f rr na t- arr+
a r; = f r a a+ +
r;f ar r r r+
= a r fs rf tfa r+ -+
r r f ar rt f a r+
;r r f nfa r; sr r r r;+ +
Cau.: sura nara asura nga khaga mh

, more anucara kaha kou nh

.
khara duana mohi sama balavat, tinhahi ko mrai binu bhagavat.1.
sura rajana bhajana mahi bhr, jau bhagavata lnha avatr.
tau mai

ji bairu hahi karau

, prabhu sara prna taje bhava tara u

.2.
hoihi bhajanu na tmasa deh, man krama bacana matra dRha eh.
jau nararupa bhupasuta kou, harihau nri jti rana dou.3.
cal akela jna caRhi tahav

, basa mrca sidhu taa jahav

.
ih

rma jasi juguti ban, sunahu um so kath suh.4.

Among gods, human beings, demons, Ngas and birds, he thought, there is none
who can withstand my servants. As for Khara and Duaa, they were as powerful as
myself; who else could have killed them, had it not been the Lord Himself? If therefore
the Lord Himself, the Delighter of the gods and the Reliever of Earths burden, has
appeared on earth, I will go and resolutely fight with him and cross the ocean of mundane
existence by falling to His arrows. Adoration is out of question in this (demoniac) body,
which is made up of the principle of ignorance, Tmasa. Therefore, such is my firm resolve
in thought, word and deed. And if they happen to be some mortal princes I shall conquer
them both in battle and carry off the bride. Having thus made up his mind, he mounted
his chariot and drove off alone to the spot where Mrca was living by the sea-shore. Now,
hear, Um, the delectable account of the device that r Rma employed. (14)
0f n f
ar r ff r + -+
Do.: lachimana gae banahi

jaba lena mula phala kada,

janakasut sana bole bihasi kp sukha bda.23.
When Lakmaa had gone to the woods to gather roots, fruits and bulbs, r
Rma, the very encarnation of compassion and joy, spoke with a smile to Janakas
Daughter: (23)
0 fr a =f tr f fa tr+
ar r frr fn fr rr+ {+
f r r rt f f rt+
f faf rf a tar a; t = ftar+ +
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
682
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
f rr r fa r nrr+
ns r rtr r; r tr a tr+ -+
f t fa r; ff sn fr;+
r f rt ff r rt+ +
Cau.: sunahu priy brata rucira susl, mai

kacha karabi lalita narall.

tumha pvaka mahu karahu nivs, jau lagi karau niscara ns.1.
jabahi

rma saba kah bakhn, prabhu pada dhari hiya anala samn.
nija pratibiba rkhi taha st, taisai sla rupa subint.2.
lachimanahu

yaha maramu na jn, jo kachu carita rac bhagavn.

dasamukha gayau jah

mrc, ni mtha svratha rata nc.3.

navani nca kai ati dukhad, jimi akusa dhanu uraga bil.
bhayadyaka khala kai priya bn, jimi akla ke kusuma bhavn.4.
Listen, my darling, who have been staunch in the holy vow of fidelity to me and
are so virtuous in conduct: I am going to act a lovely human part. Abide in fire until I have
completed the destruction of the demons. No sooner had r Rma told Her everything
in detail than She impressed the image of the Lords feet on Her heart and entered into
the fire, leaving with Him only of a shadow of Hers, though precisely of the same
appearance and the same amiable and gentle disposition. Lakmaa too did not know
the secret of what the Lord had done behind the curtain. The ten-headed Rvaa
approached Mrca and bowed his head to him, selfish and vile as he was. The
meekness of a mean creature is a source of great trouble like the bending of a goad,
bow, snake or cat. The friendly speech of a villain is as dangerous, Bhavn (Prvat),
as the flowers that blossom out of season. (14)
0f r rt a r t ra
a n fa r ara+ +
Do.: kari puj mrca taba sdara puch bta,
kavana hetu mana byagra ati akasara yahu tta.24.
After doing him homage Mrca respectfully enquired of him his errand: Wherefore,
my son, are you so much disturbed in mind that you have come all the way alone?(24)
0 r af rn t fa fr rn+
r n ar rt f ff f r rt+ {+
af f r tr a = r ;r+
arr ara = f t r f fr t+ +
f r ns rr f rrfa rf rr+
a r rs rt fa- = f rt+ -+
; t n t r; a s rs r;+
ara af fa r fa-f frf r;f r+ +
Cau.: dasamukha sakala kath tehi ge , kah sahita abhimna abhge .
hohu kapaa mga tumha chalakr, jehi bidhi hari nau npanr.1.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
683
tehi

puni kah sunahu dasass, te nararupa carcara s.

tso tta bayaru nahi

kjai, mre maria jie jjai.2.

muni makha rkhana gayau kumr, binu phara sara raghupati mohi mr.
sata jojana yau chana mhi
,
tinha sana bayaru kie bhala nh

.3.
bhai mama ka bhga k n, jaha taha ma

dekhau dou bh.

jau

nara tta tadapi ati s ur, tinhahi birodhi na ihi pur.4.

The wretched Rvaa proudly repeated the whole story to him and added,
Assume the false appearance of a wily deer, so that I may be able to abduct the princess.
Mrca, however, remonstrated, Listen, Rvaa: though disguised as a man, He is the lord
of the whole animate and inanimate creation. There can be no quarrel with Him, dear son;
we die when He would have us die and live only by His sufferance. Those very princes
had gone to guard the sacrifice of the sage Vvmitra, when r Rma (the Lord of
Raghus) smote me with a pointless arrow, that threw me at a distance of 800 miles in an
instant. It will not be good to antagonize them. I find myself reduced to the position of an
insect* caught in the nest of a Bhga ( a wasp-like winged creature) inasmuch as I behold
the two brothers wherever I look. Even if they are human beings, dear son, they are
remarkable heroes nonetheless; and opposition to them will not avail. (14)
0f arzr r fa zs rz
fafr s f fz+ ~+
Do.: jehi

tRak subhu hati khaeu hara kodaa,

khara duana tisir badheu manuja ki asa baribaa.25.
But can he possibly be a man, who recklessly killed Tak and ubhu, broke
ivas bow and slew Khara, Duaa and Triir ? (25)
0r frt a r tf-f nrt+
n= ff f rr n rf r r rr+ {+
a rt z rr f fr f rrr+
trt t t f f r nt+ +
s rfa r f r a arff rrr r+
sa= a rf rn rrfa rn+ -+
f rf r nr r r nr+
fa r at r fs t+ +
Cau.: jhu bhavana kula kusala bicr, sunata jar dnhisi bahu gr.
guru jimi muRha karasi mama bodh, kahu jaga mohi samna ko jodh.1.
taba mrca hdaya anumn, navahi birodhe nahi

kalyn.
sastr marm prabhu saha dhan, baida badi kabi bhnasa gun.2.
ubhaya bh

ti dekh nija maran, taba tkisi raghunyaka saran.

utaru deta mohi badhaba abhge , kasa na marau raghupati sara lge .3.
* It is a matter of common observation that the Bhga catches hold of any insect whatsoever and
confining it in its nest of mud hums incessantly before it with the result that the insect is enamoured of the
Bhga and is eventually transformed into a Bhga.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
684
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
asa jiya jni dasnana sag, cal rma pada prema abhag.
mana ati haraa janva na teh, ju dekhihau parama saneh.4.
Therefore, considering the welfare of your race you had better return home.
When he heard this he flared up and showered many abuses on Mrca. You fool, you
presume to teach me as if you were my preceptor. Tell me which warrior in this world
is a match for me. Then Mrca thought to himself, It does not do one good to make
enemies of the following nine, viz., one skilled in the use of a weapon, he who knows
ones secret, a powerful master, a dunce, a wealthy man, a physician, a panegyrist, a
poet, an expert cook. Either way he saw he must die: hence he sought refuge in the
Lord of Raghus. If I argue further, the wretch would kill me; why, then, should I not be
killed by r Rmas arrows? Pondering thus in his mind he accompanied Rvaa,
unremitting in his devotion to r Rmas feet. He felt extremely delighted at the thought
that he would be able to behold his greatest friend (r Rma), even though he would not
reveal his joy to Rvana. (14)
0f ta f r f r;
>rt fa a rfa r;+
fr r r r nfa f t
f rf rf r rf ff rn t+
Cha.: nija parama prtama dekhi locana suphala kari sukha pihau ,
r sahita anuja sameta kpniketa pada mana lihau .
nirbna dyaka krodha j kara bhagati abasahi basakar,
nija pni sara sadhni so mohi badhihi sukhasgara har.
My eyes will be rewarded when I behold my most beloved lord to my great
exultation and I shall fix my thoughts on the feet of the All-merciful accompanied by St
and His younger brother. To think that r Hari, the Ocean of Bliss, whose very wrath
confers final beatitude and who, though subject to none gives Himself up entirely to the
will of His devotees, will fit an arrow with His own hands to His bow and slay me!
0 r ra r r
ff ff f frfs - r r+ +
Do.: mama pche dhara dhvata dhare sarsana bna,
phiri phiri prabhuhi bilokihau dhanya na mo sama na.26.
As He runs after me on foot, carrying His bow and arrow, I shall again and again
turn in order to get a sight of my lord! No one else is so blessed as I am. (26)
0af f r n a rt n +
fa ffr f r; f fa r;+ {+
tar =f n r n n r r+
rrt rr f n fa rr+ +
- f f t r fa t+
a rrfa ra r s f r r+ -+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
685
n frf f f rr a r =f rr+
ff r rr; fa ff ff r;+ +
tar f rt f f frt+
f frf r n rt r r r rt+ ~+
fn fa f r rr rrn r r rr+
f f f r; n; r;+ +
na a a t f ff f ns t+
a af r f rr f s f rrr rr+ +
f f rr r f f rr+
r aa n f f r f f r a r+ c+
a ar frr f nfa tf- rr+ +
Cau.: tehi bana nikaa dasnana gaya u, taba mrca kapaamga bhayau.
ati bicitra kachu barani na j, kanaka deha mani racita ban.1.
st parama rucira mga dekh, aga aga sumanohara be.
sunahu deva raghubra kpl, ehi mga kara ati sudara chl.2.
satyasadha prabhu badhi kari eh, nahu carma kahati baideh.
taba raghupati jnata saba krana, uhe harai sura kju sa vrana.3.
mga biloki kai parikara b

dh, karatala cpa rucira sara s

dh.
prabhu lachimanahi kah samujh, phirata bipina nisicara bahu bh.4.
st keri karehu rakhavr, budhi bibeka bala samaya bicr.
prabhuhi biloki cal mga bhj, dhe rmu sarsana sj.5.
nigama neti siva dhyna na pv, mymga pche so dhv.
kabahu nikaa puni duri par, kabahu ka pragaai kabau chap.6.
pragaata durata karata chala bhur, ehi bidhi prabhuhi gayau lai dur.
taba taki rma kahina sara mr, dharani pareu kari ghora pukr.7.
lachimana kara prathamahi

lai nm, pche sumiresi mana mahu rm.
prna tajata pragaesi nija deh, sumiresi rmu sameta saneh.8.
atara prema tsu pahicn, muni durlabha gati dnhi sujn.9.
When the ten-headed Rvaa drew near to the forest ( in which r Rma had
taken up His abode), Mrca assumed the false appearance of a deer, so very wonderful
as to defy description, with a body of gold artistically inlaid with jewels. When St saw
the exquisitely beautiful creature, most lovely in every limb, She said, Listen, my
gracious Lord r Rma (Hero of Raghus line), this deer has a most charming skin. Pray
kill this animal, my lord, and get me the hide, true as you are to your word. Thereupon
the Lord of Raghus, even though He knew all the circumstances (that had led Mrca to
assume the semblance of a deer) arose with joy to accomplish the object of the gods.
Casting a look at the deer He girded up His loins with a piece of cloth and taking the
bow in His hand fitted a shining arrow to the same. The Lord cautioned Lakmaa: A
host of demons, brother, roam about in the woods. Take care of St with due regard to
your strength and circumstances and making use of your intellect and discretion. The
deer took to flight at the sight of the Lord and r Rma ran after it pulling His bow-string.
How strange that He whom the Vedas describe in negative terms such a not that and
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
686
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
whom iva is unable to catch hold of even in meditation, ran in pursuit of a false deer!
Now close at hand. The very next moment it ran away to some distance; at one time it
came into view, at another it went out of sight. Thus alternately revealing and concealing
itself and practising every kind of wile, it took the Lord far away. Now r Rma took
a steady aim and let fly the fatal shaft, when the animal fell to the ground with a fearful
cry, first calling aloud to Lakmaa but afterwards mentally invoking r Rma. While
giving up the ghost it manifested its real form and lovingly remembered r Rma. The
omniscient Lord, who could see the love of his heart, conferred on him the state which
cannot be easily attained to even by the sages. (19)
0f f nrf n nr
f t- t rrr+ +
Do.: bipula sumana sura baraahi

gvahi

prabhu guna gtha,

nija pada dnha asura kahu dnabadhu raghuntha.27.
The gods rained down flowers in abundance and sang praises of the Lord: The
Lord of Raghus is such a friend of the humble that He conferred His own state (divinity)
on a demon. (27)
0 f aa f rrtr r r f atr+
ra fnr t tar f tar+ {+
r fn fa rar f ff r rar+
f fr fy r; ; f r;+ +
tar rr f fa f zrr+
ff f r r r f r + -+
t r rr f at r+
r z z rt ff t f r rt+ +
r t tr t r; ;a sa fa; r fz r;+
;f n a nr a a f r+ ~+
rr ff f r r; rtfa tfa r;+
tar at nrr; r y t r;+ +
a r f = rr ; r rr+
tar f t nr r r; ns r r+ +
ff ff rr f r ff rr+
a t frr f rr+ c+
Cau.: khala badhi turata phire raghubr, soha cpa kara kai tunr.
rata gir sun jaba st, kaha lachimana sana parama sabht.1.
jhu begi sakaa ati bhrt, lachimana bihasi kah sunu mt.
bhkui bilsa si laya ho, sapanehu sakaa parai ki so.2.
marama bacana jaba st bol, hari prerita lachimana mana ol.
bana disi deva saupi saba kh u, cale jah

rvana sasi rhu.3.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
687
suna bca dasakadhara dekh, v nikaa jat ke be.
jke ara sura asura erh

, nisi na nda dina anna na khh

.4.
so dasassa svna k n

, ita uta citai cal bhaRih

.
imi kupatha paga deta khages, raha na teja tana budhi bala les.5.
nn bidhi kari kath suh, rjanti bhaya prti dekh.
kaha st sunu jat gos

, bolehu bacana dua k n

.6.
taba rvana nija rupa dekhv, bha sabhaya jaba nma sunv.
kaha st dhari dhraju gRh, i gayau prabhu rahu khala hRh.7.
jimi haribadhuhi chudra sasa ch, bhaesi klabasa nisicara nh.
sunata bacana dasassa risn, mana mahu carana badi sukha mn.8.
As soon as He had slain the wretch the Hero of Raghus line turned back, the
charming bow in his hand and the quiver at His waist. When St heard the cry of
distress, She was seized with excessive fear and said to Lakmaa, Go quickly, your
brother is in great peril. Lakmaa answered with a smile, Listen, mother ! By the very
play of r Rmas eyebrows the entire creation is annihilated; could He then ever dream
of being in danger? But when St urged him with words that cut him to the quick,
Lakmaas resolutionfor such was r Haris willwas shaken, He entrusted Her to
the care of all the sylvan gods and the deities presiding over the quarters and proceeded
to the place where r Rma, a veritable Rhu to the moonlike Rvaa, was. Availing
himself of this opportunity, when there was none by the side of St, the ten-headed
Rvaa drew near to Her cottage in the guise of a recluse. He, in fear of whom the gods
and demons equally trembled, so much so that they could neither sleep by night nor eat
their food by daythat very Rvaa proceeded on his mission of thieving looking this
side and that like a cur. Even so the moment a man sets his foot on the path of vice,
O Garua (king of birds), his bodily glow, reason and strength completely disappear.
Having invented alluring stories of various kinds he not only showed Her the course
which was dictated by political wisdom but also used threats and made love to Her. Said
St, Listen, O holy father: you have spoken like a villain. Then Rvaa revealed his
real form; and She was terrified when he mentioned his name. St plucked all Her
courage and said, Stay awhile, O wretch; my lord has come. Even as a tiny hare would
wed a lioness, so have you wooed your own destruction (by setting your heart on me),
O king of demons. On hearing these words the ten-headed Rvaa flew into a rage,
though in his heart he rejoiced to adore Her feet. (18)
0ra a r tf-f r;
r nn ra rf r;+ c+
Do.: krodhavata taba rvana lnhisi ratha baihi,
cal gaganapatha tura bhaya ratha h

ki na ji.28.
Full of rage, Rvaa now seated Her in his chariot and drove through the air in
great flurry: he was so much afraid that he was scarcely able to drive. (28)
0r n t rrrr f r fr rr+
rfa r r rr r fr+ {+
r f arr f rr r rs t-s rr+
ff fr fa t f r f t+ +
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
688
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
ffa rf r f rr rzr r rr+
tar fr f rt r t rt+ {-+
ntr f ra rt rrfa rf frt+
fr t- r; ff fr nr;+ {+
ta fr f f rrr fs rar rr+
rr ra n ; f a + {~+
y r f rt f f rf rt+
ra f ara rr ff rr+ {+
t r f nfa r; r fa fa r;+
rr r r at rfz f r+ {+
a nt rra rr r r frr+
af rff n r rf a r;f r + {c+
r r r fa rrrr r;f arr+
sa= a r rr af nt rr f rr+ {+
f f t- f fnr taf rf nt f fr+
r- rf fr f t z ; =r at+ {+
a r ff ffrr r f r rr+
r f r n t ff r f a t+ {{+
taf r r; rt r sar; rr rt+
fa fr rfa tar r f nt tar+ {+
fnf f- frt f f r t- zrt+
f ff taf r n r ra + {-+
Cau.: h jaga eka bra raghury, kehi

apardha bisrehu dy.
rati harana sarana sukhadyaka, h raghukula saroja dinanyaka.1.
h lachimana tumhra nahi

dos, so phalu pyau knheu ros.

bibidha bilpa karati baideh, bhuri kp prabhu duri saneh.2.
bipati mori ko prabhuhi sunv, purosa caha rsabha khv.
st kai bilpa suni bhr, bhae carcara jva dukhr.3.
gdharja suni rata bn, raghukulatilaka nri pahicn.
adhama niscara lnhe j, jimi malecha basa kapil g.4.
ste putri karasi jani trs, karihau jtudhna kara ns.
dhv krodhavata khaga kaise , chuai pabi parabata kahu jaise .5.
re re dua haRha kina hoh, nirbhaya calesi na jnehi moh.
vata dekhi ktta samn, phiri dasakadhara kara anumn.6.
k mainka ki khagapati ho, mama bala jna sahita pati so.
jn jaraha jayu eh, mama kara tratha ch

Rihi deh.7.
sunata gdha krodhtura dhv, kaha sunu rvana mora sikhv.
taji jnakihi kusala gha jhu, nhi

ta asa hoihi bahubhu.8.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
689
rma roa pvaka ati ghor, hoihi sakala salabha kula tor.
utaru na deta dasnana jodh, tabahi

gdha dhv kari krodh.09.
dhari kaca biratha knha mahi gir, stahi rkhi gdha puni phir.
cocanha mri bidresi deh, daa eka bhai muruch teh.10.
taba sakrodha nisicara khisin, kRhesi parama karla kpn.
kesi pakha par khaga dharan, sumiri rma kari adabhuta karan.11.
stahi jna caRhi bahor, cal utila trsa na thor.
karati bilpa jti nabha st, bydha bibasa janu mg sabht.12.
giri para baihe kapinha nihr, kahi hari nma dnha paa r.
ehi bidhi stahi so lai gaya u, bana asoka maha rkhata bhayau.13.
Ah! Lord of Raghus, peerless champion of the world, reliever of distress and
delighter of the suppliant, ah! the sun that gladdens the lotus-like race of Raghu, for what
fault of mine have you become so hard-hearted against your nature? Ah! Lakmaa, the
fault is none of yours; I have reaped the fruit of the temper I showed. Manifold were the
lamentations that Videhas Daughter uttered. Though boundless his mercy, my loving
lord is far away. Who will apprize the lord of my calamity? An ass would eat the sacrificial
oblation! At the sound of Sts loud wailing all created beings, whether animate or
inanimate, felt distressed, Jayu (the king of vultures) heard the piteous cry and
recognized (from Her voice) that it was the spouse of r Rma, the Glory of Raghus
race, who was being carried away by the vile demon (Rvaa) like a dun cow that had
fallen into the hands of some barbarian. St, my daughter, fear not; I will kill this demon.
The bird darted off in its fury like a thunderbolt hurled against a mountain. Why do you
not stop, O villain ? You are proceeding fearlessly as if you have not yet known me!
When he saw the vulture bearing down upon him like Death, the ten-headed monster
turned towards him and reflected, Is it Mount Mainka or can it be Garua (the king of
birds) ? The latter, however, knows my strength as also his lord (Bhagavn Viu)!
When the bird drew near, he recognized it and said, It is no other than the aged Jayu;
he has come to drop his body at the sanctuary of my hands. At this the vulture rushed
in the excitement of his fury, exclaiming: Listen, Rvaa, to my advice and return home
safely, letting Janakas Daughter alone. Otherwise despite your many arms what will
happen is this: in the most terrible flame of r Rmas wrath your whole house will be
consumed like a moth. Bellicose Rvaa, however gave no answer. The vulture
(Jayu) thereupon rushed wildly on and clutching the demon by his hair pulled him from
the chariot so that he fell to the ground. Having placed St in a safe retreat, the vulture
turned once more towards Rvaa and striking him with his beak tore his body. For
nearly half an hour Rvaa lay unconscious. Much annoyed at this the demon now
angrily drew his most dreadful sword and cut off Jatyus wings. Invoking r Rma and
having accomplished marvellous feats, the bird fell to the ground. Rvaa took St once
more into his car and drove off in haste, greatly alarmed. St was borne through the air
lamenting like a frightened doe caught in the trap of a hunter. Perceiving some monkeys
perched on a hill She dropped some cloth uttering r Haris name. In this manner
Rvaa took St away and kept Her in the Aoka garden. (113)
0rf r ff = tfa r;
a r r a rff a r;+ (+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
690
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Do.: hri par khala bahu bidhi bhaya aru prti dekhi,
taba asoka pdapa tara rkhisi jatana kari.29(A).
The wretch tried every kind of threat and endearment but failed miserably. At last
he kept Her under an Aoka tree strongly guarded. (29 A)
[ PAUSE 6 FOR A NINE-DAY RECITATION ]
f ff n n r; >rtr
r f tar rf s fa fa fr+ (+
jehi bidhi kapaa kuraga sa ga dhi cale rrma,
so chabi st rkhi ura raati rahati harinma. 29(B)
Having impressed on Her heart the beautiful image of r Rma as He appeared while
running in pursuit of the false deer, St incessantly repeated r Haris Name. (29 B)
0rrfa f ra t rf far tf- ft+
ar ff t r ara t+ {+
ff f ff rt tar r>r rt+
nf rt s r rf rt+ +
a n ar nrrf a r>r r+
r>r f rt tr f ra tr+ -+
r n rf rt tar = t a tar+
f rr r at a ar a= rat+ +
n n >rt ar t tar nt+
ra n tr f rfr tr+ ~+
t rfz rft f frft+
= r r r n f f a r+ +
>rt f rt rt+
rt arf f r r; r+ +
ff f ra arf rt fr fn nf rt+
f ff ra fa trt r ft fa rt+ c+
r r rt fa frt+
rn r ntfa r fa r f- r+ +
Cau.: raghupati anujahi vata dekh, bhija cit knhi bise.
janakasut pariharihu akel, yahu tta bacana mama pel.1.
nisicara nikara phirahi

bana mh

, mama mana st rama nh

.
gahi pada kamala anuja kara jor, kaheu ntha kachu mohi na khor.2.
anuja sameta gae prabhu tahav

, godvari taa rama jahav

.
rama dekhi jnak hn, bhae bikala jasa prkta dn.3.
h guna khni jnak st, rupa sla brata nema punt.
lachimana samujhe bahu bh

t, puchata cale lat taru p

t.4.
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*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
691
he khaga mga he madhukara ren, tumha dekh st mganain.
khajana suka kapota mga mn, madhupa nikara kokil prabn.5.
kuda kal dRima dmin, kamala sarada sasi ahibhmin.
baruna psa manoja dhanu has, gaja kehari nija sunata prasas.6.
rphala kanaka kadali harh

, neku na saka sakuca mana mh

.
sunu jnak tohi binu ju, harae sakala pi janu rju.7.
kimi sahi jta anakha tohi ph

, priy begi pragaasi kasa nh

.
ehi bidhi khojata bilapata svm, manahu mah birah ati km.8.
puranakma rma sukha rs, manuja carita kara aja abins.
ge par gdhapati dekh, sumirata rma carana jinha rekh.9.
When the Lord of Raghus saw His younger brother coming, He outwardly
expressed much concern. Alas! You have left Janakas daughter alone and come here
against my instructions. Hosts of demons are roaming about in the forest; I, therefore,
suspect St is not at the hermitage. Lakmaa clasped r Rmas lotus feet and
replied with joined palms, Lord, it is no fault of mine. Accompanied by His younger
brother, the Lord went back to His hermitage on the bank of the Godvar. When He
saw the hermitage bereft of Janakas Daughter, He felt as perturbed and afflicted as any
common man. Alas! St, Janakas daughter, the very mine of virtues, of such flawless
beauty, character, austerity and devotion! Lakmaa consoled Him in many ways. He
questioned all the creepers and trees (that stood on the way ) as He went along (in
search of Her): O birds and deer, O string of bees, have you seen the fawn-eyed St?
The wagtail, the parrot, the pigeon, the deer, the fish, the swarms of bees, the clever
cuckoo, the jasmine buds, the pomegranate, the lightning, the lotus, the autumnal moon,
the gliding serpent, the noose of Varua (the god of water), the bow of Cupid, the swan,
the elephant and the lion now hear themselves praised. The Bilva fruit and the gold
banana rejoice and do not feel the least misgiving or bashfulness* Listen, Janakas
daughter : in your absence today they are all glad as if they have got a Kingdom. How
can you bear such rivalry? Why do you not reveal yourself quickly, my darling? In this
way the Lord searched and lamented like an uxorious husband sore smitten with pangs
of separation. r Rma, who is Bliss personified and has all His wishes accomplished,
and who is both unborn and immortal, behaved like a mortal. Further on they saw the
king of vultures lying, with his thoughts fixed on r Rmas feet which bear characteristic
marks on their soles. (19)
* r Rma here well-nigh exhausts the list of birds and beasts as well as of inanimate objects to which
Indian poets usually liken the limbs of a charming lady. Of these the eyes are compared to the fish and the
wagtail as well as to the eyes of a fawn, the nose to the parrots beak, the neck to that of the pigeon, the curly
hair to a swarm of bees, the voice to the notes of a cuckoo, the teeth to the jasmine buds and the seeds of the
pomegranate, the complexion to the lightning, the eyes and the face as well as the hand and feet to the lotus,
the face to the autumnal moon, the braid of hair hanging on the back to a gliding serpent, the smile to the
noose of Varua, the eyebrows to Cupids bow, the gait to that of the swan and the elephant, the waist to that
of the lion, the breasts to the Bilva fruit and the thigh to the gold banana. The idea here is that though models
of beauty so far as earthly women are concerned, none of these analogues stood comparison with Sts
limbs and hence they dare not face the latter out of shame. Now that St was no more to be seen, they all
regained their supremacy and exulted over their good fortune.
The scriptures mention 48 marks on the soles of the Lords feet, 24 on each. Those on the left are:
(1) a vertical line (Urdhvarekh), (2) a Svastika, (3) an Aakoa ( a figure consisting of a pair of squares
intersecting each other), (4) Goddess Lakm (represented by a golden coil describing two and a half concentric
circles), (5) a plough, (6) a pestle, (7) a figure of ea (the serpent-god), (8) an arrow, (9) the sky (represented
by a cipher), (10) a lotus, (11) a chariot, (12) a thunderbolt, (13) a grain of barley, (14) the wish-yielding
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
692
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
0 r f s rf rrt
ff r f r fna ; t+ -+
Do.: kara saroja sira paraseu kpsidhu raghubra,
nirakhi rma chabi dhma mukha bigata bha saba pra.30.
The Hero of Raghus line, the ocean of mercy, stroked Jayus head with His
lotus hands. As the bird gazed on r Rmas countenance, the home of loveliness, all
his pain disappeared. (30)
0a nt f tr r tr+
r r nfa t-t af ar f t-t+ {+
f- ff ns nrr; ffa fa t t r;+
rfn rs rr a rfrr+ +
r r a r arar r; t af rar+
r r a rr s a r; >rfa nrr+ -+
r r nr rn r r f rn+
f f rrr; ara f a nfa r;+ +
fa f- rt fa- n rt+
a af ara r rr s r ar rr+ ~+
Cau.: taba kaha gdha bacana dhari dhr, sunahu rma bhajana bhava bhr.
ntha dasnana yaha gati knh, tehi

khala janakasut hari lnh.1.
lai dacchina disi gayau gos

, bilapati ati kurar k n

.
darasa lgi prabhu rkheu prn, calana cahata aba kpnidhn.2.
rma kah tanu rkhahu tt, mukha musuki kah tehi

bt.
j kara nma marata mukha v, adhamau mukuta hoi ruti gv.3.
so mama locana gocara ge , rkhau deha ntha kehi kh

ge .
jala bhari nayana kahahi

raghur, tta karma nija te gati p.4.

parahita basa jinha ke mana mh

, tinha kahu jaga durlabha kachu nh

.
tanu taji tta jhu mama dhm, deu kha tumha puranakm.5.
The vulture now recovered himself and spoke as follows: Listen, Rma, the
allayer of the fear of transmigration: it was the ten-headed Rvaa, my lord, who
reduced me to this plight; it was the same wretch who carried off Janakas daughter. He
tree in heaven, (15) a goad, (16) a flag, (17) a crown, (18) the discus ( Sudarana), (19) a throne,
(20) the staff of Yama (the god of death), (21) a chowrie, (22) an umbrella, (23) a human figure and
(24) a wreath of victory (placed by a bride round the neck of the suitor of her choice); while those borne on the
right sole are: (1) the river Sarayu, (2) a cows hoof, (3) the earth, (4) a pitcher, (5) a small flag, (6) a Jambu fruit
(the black plum), (7) the crescent, (8) a conchshell, (9) a akoa ( a figure consisting of a pair of triangles
intersecting each other), (10) a triangle, (11) a mace, (12) a Jva or the individual soul (represented by a point
illustrating its atomic size), (13) Vindu ( a point) and (14) akti ( represented by a semi-circle and forming the
base of the Vindu), (15) a reservoir of nectar, (16) three horizontal lines like the folds of the belly, (17) a fish,
(18) the full-moon, (19) a lute, (20) a flute, (21) a bow, (22) a quiver, (23) a swan and (24) an ornament for the
head of a lady. It should be remembered here that r St also bears the same marks in Her soles, with this
difference that the marks on r Rmas right sole are borne by St on Her left and vice-versa.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
693
took Her away, holy sir, to the south while she kept screaming loudly as an osprey. I
have survived, my lord, only to behold You, my life now is about to depart, O fountain
of mercy. Said r Rma, Live yet more, father. He, however, replied with a smile on
his countenance, He whose very name, so declare the Vedas, redeems the most
depraved soul even if it appears on his lips at the moment of his death, is present before
me in a visible form ! What more is wanting now, for which I should retain my body any
longer? With His eyes full of tears the Lord of Raghus replied, Dear father, you have
attained to an enviable state by virtue of your own noble deeds. Nothing is difficult of
attainment in this world to those who have others interests at heart. Casting off your
body, dear father, proceed now to My divine abode. What shall I give you, when you
have all your desires already accomplished ? (15)
0tar ara f far r;
r a fa ff r r;+ -{+
Do.: st harana tta jani kahahu pit sana ji,
jau mai

rma ta kula sahita kahihi dasnana i.31.

But on reaching there, sire, tell not my father about Sts abduction. If I am no
other than Rma ( if I am what I am), the ten-headed Rvaa and his whole house will
go and say everything to him. (31)
0nt af f f =r ta r+
tr nra fr rt tafa a f rt+ {+
Cau.: gdha deha taji dhari hari r up, bhuana bahu paa pta anup,
syma gta bisla bhuja cr, astuti karata nayana bhari br.1.
The vulture now dropped his body and assumed r Haris own form, bedecked
with many jewels and clad in a yellow attire of matchless splendour, and possessed of
a dark hue and four long arms; and with his eyes full of tears he burst into praises of
his lord. (1)
0 r = fn n n t
t r z z z z t+
rr nra r rt ra r
fa f r r r fr r+ {+
rf+nr
nrf nr frrr t+
r r a a a
fa f r r f rrf n+ +
f >r fa f zr r f f nrt
f r r frn rn f f rt+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
694
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
r n =r rr n n r;
z n n n f r;+ -+
r n n r f ta r
tfa rnt a f a nr r+
r r r fr aa r fr t
s s r fa r tfa rt+ +
Cha.: jaya rma rupa anupa nirguna saguna guna preraka sah,
dasassa bhu pracaa khaana caa sara maana mah.
pthoda gta saroja mukha rjva yata locana,
nita naumi rmu kpla bhu bisla bhava bhaya mocana.1.
balamaprameyamandimajamabyaktamekamagocara,
gobida gopara dvadvahara bigynaghana dharandhara.
je rma matra japata sata anata jana mana rajana,
nita naumi rma akma priya kmdi khala dala gajana.2.
jehi ruti nirajana brahma bypaka biraja aja kahi gvah

,
kari dhyna gyna birga joga aneka muni jehi pvah

.
so pragaa karun kada sobh bda aga jaga moha,
mama hdaya pakaja bhga aga anaga bahu chabi soha.3.
jo agama sugama subhva nirmala asama sama stala sad,
pasyati ja jog jatana kari karata mana go basa sad.
so rma ram nivsa satata dsa basa tribhuvana dhan,
mama ura basau so samana sasti jsu krati pvan.4.
Glory to r Rma of incomparable beauty, who is absolute as well as qualified
and the true impeller of Guas (My) too. His fierce arrows are potent enough to cut
off the terrible arms of the ten-headed Rvaa. I incessantly adore the all-merciful r
Rma, the ornament of the earth, who is endowed with a form dark as the rain-cloud, a
face resembling the blue lotus and large eyes resembling the red lotus. Possessed of
long arms, He rids His devotees of the fear of transmigration. His strength is immeasurable;
He is without beginning and unborn, the one (without a second), unmanifest and
imperceptible, beyond the reach of the senses, though attainable with the help of the
Vedic hymns, the dispeller of pairs of opposites (such as joy and sorrow, birth and death,
pleasure and pain etc.,) consciousness personified, the supporter of the earth, death and
the delighter of the soul of countless saints and devotees who repeat the sacred Name
of Rma. I ever extol r Rma, who loves and is loved by those who are free from
desire and curbs the host of vicious propensities such as lust and so on. He, whom the
Vedas glorify under the name of Brahma, pure (free from the taint of My), all-pervading,
passionless and unborn, whom the sages attain to through manifold practices such as
meditation, discretion, dispassion and Yoga (self-discipline), that fountain of mercy has
become manifest as the very incarnation of beauty and enraptures the whole animate
and inanimate creation. He is the bee that resides in the lotus of my heart and through
every limb of His shines the splendour of many a god of love. He, who is at once
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
695
inaccessible and easily accessible, who has a guileless disposition and is both partial
and impartial and ever placid, whom the Yogs perceive with great effort subduing their
senses and mind, that Rma, the abode of Ram (Goddess Lakm) and the Lord of the
three spheres (the entire creation) is ever at the beck and call of His devotees. May He
abide in my heart, whose holy praises put a stop to transmigration. (14)
0f nfa rfn nt ns fr
af t fr rfa f t-t r+ -+
Do.: abirala bhagati mgi bara gdha gayau haridhma,
tehi k kriy jathocita nija kara knh rma.32.
Asking the boon of uninterrupted devotion the vulture (Jayu) ascended to r Haris
Abode. r Rma performed his funeral rites with due ceremony and with His own hands. (32)
0r fa fa trr r f rrr rr+
nt n rf rnt nfa t-t r ra rnt+ {+
sr a rn rnt f af rf f rnt+
f taf ra r; fra ar;+ +
ar f rr r n n a n r+
ra frar af t r rar+ -+
rr rf t-t rr f fr r rr+
n s art rf rr; zr rt+ +
Cau.: komala cita ati dnadayl, krana binu raghuntha kpl.
gdha adhama khaga mia bhog, gati dnh jo jcata jog.1.
sunahu um te loga abhg, hari taji hohi

biaya anurg.
puni stahi khojata dvau bh, cale bilokata bana bahut.2.
sakula lat biapa ghana knana, bahu khaga mga taha gaja pacnana.
vata patha kabadha nipt, tehi

saba kah spa kai bt.3.

durabs mohi dnh sp, prabhu pada pekhi mi so pp.
sunu gadharba kahau mai

toh, mohi na sohi brahmakula droh.4.

The Lord of Raghus is most tender-hearted and compassionate to the humble and
shows His mercy even where there is no occasion for it. On a vulture, who is a most
unclean and carnivorous bird, He conferred a state which is solicited even by Yogs.
Listen, Um: those people are unfortunate indeed, who abandon r Hari and become
attached to the object of sense. The two brothers proceeded further in quest of St and
marked the thickening of the forest even as they went. The thicket was full of creepers
and trees and inhabited by many birds and deer, elephants and lions, r Rma
overthrew the demon Kabandha even as the latter met Him on the way; he told Him the
whole story about the curse pronounced on him: The sage Durvs had imprecated me;
the sin has now been wiped out by the sight of the Lords feet. Listen, O Gandharva,
to what I tell you: I cannot tolerate an enemy of the Brhmaas. (14)
0 af r
rf a ff f ar + --+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
696
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Do.: mana krama bacana kapaa taji jo kara bhusura seva,
mohi sameta biraci siva basa tke saba deva.33.
He who without guile in thought, word and deed does service to the Brhmaas
(the very gods on earth), wins over Brahm, iva, Myself and all other divinities. (33)
0ra arz a = ar f nrf ar+
f f t n tr n n r tr+ {+
f f arf rrr f tfa f rr+
rrfa f= r; ns nn rf nfa r;+ +
arf ; nfa r srr t r>r n rr+
t f r n r f fr f r+ -+
f r r frr r f s rr+
tr n rs r; t t r;+ +
n rr f f r f rr+
r r f r r + ~+
Cau.: spata tRata parua kahat, bipra pujya asa gvahi

sat.
pujia bipra sla guna hn, sudra na guna gana gyna prabn.1.
kahi nija dharma thi samujhv, nija pada prti dekhi mana bhv.
raghupati carana kamala siru n, gayau gagana pani gati p.2.
thi dei gati rma udr, sabar ke rama pagu dhr.
sabar dekhi rma gha e, muni ke bacana samujhi jiya bhe.3.
sarasija locana bhu bisl, ja mukua sira ura banaml.
syma gaura sudara dou bh, sabar par carana lapa.4.
prema magana mukha bacana na v, puni puni pada saroja sira nv.
sdara jala lai carana pakhre, puni sudara sana baihre.5.
A Brhmaa, even though he curse you, beat you or speak harsh words to you,
is still worthy of adoration: so declare the saints. A Brhmaa must be respected, though
lacking in amiability and virtue; not so a udra, though possessing a host of virtues and
rich in knowledge. The Lord instructed Kabandha in His own cult ( the cult of Devotion)
and was delighted at heart to see his devotion to His feet. Having regained his original
form (that of a Gandharva ) he bowed his head to the lotus feet of r Rma (the Lord
of Raghus) and ascended to the heaven. Having conferred on him his own (Gandharva)
state the beneficent Rma repaired to the hermitage of abar*. When abar saw that
r Rma had called at her abode, she recalled the words of the sage (Mataga) and
was glad of heart. With lotus-like eyes, long arms, a tuft of matted hair adorning their
* abar was known by the name of the wild tribe (abaras) to which she belonged. Though low-born,
she had already acquired some celebrity for her piety and devotion; hence the poet has chosen to call her
abode a hermitage ( a name generally applied to the abode of sages and hermits). This can easily serve as
an illustration of the catholicity of the great Hindu religion, which, though rigid in social matters, does not fail
to give proper recognition to individual merit and virtue. The whole of this episode is a great eye-opener in this
respect.
From other sources it can be gathered that the sage, who was abars own Guru, had predicted to
her, on the eve of his demise long before, that the Lord would visit her. It is this prediction of the sage that has
been referred to above.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
697
head like a crown and a garland of wild flowers hanging upon their breast, the two brothers
looked most charmingthe one dark of hue and the other fair; abar fell prostrate and
embraced their feet. She was so owerwhelmed with love that no words came to her lips.
Again and again she bowed her head at their lotus feet. Presently she look some water
and reverently laved their feet and then conducted them to a seat of honour. (15)
0 fa f r rf
fa r rr rf+ -+
Do.: kada mula phala surasa ati die rma kahu ni,
prema sahita prabhu khe brabra bakhani.34.
She brought and offered to r Rma the most delicious bulbs, roots and fruits.
The Lord partook of them again and again. (34)
0rf rf rn ; r t f frf tfa fa r t+
f ff tafa arrt rfa z fa rt+ {+
a fa rt fa- fa rrrt+
rrfa rff rar rs nfa rar+ +
rfa rfa z r; f n ar;+
nfa t r; r f rf f r+ -+
r nfa s arf rt rr = rt+
nfa a- nr f fa r nr+ +
Cau.: pni jori ge bhai hRh, prabhuhi biloki prti ati bRh.
kehi bidhi astuti karau tumhr, adhama jti mai

jaRamati bhr.1.
adhama te adhama adhama ati nr, tinha maha mai

matimada aghr.
kaha raghupati sunu bhmini bt, mnau eka bhagati kara nt.2.
jti p

ti kula dharma baR, dhana bala parijana guna catur.

bhagati hna nara sohai kais, binu jala brida dekhia jais.3.
navadh bhagati kahau tohi ph

, svadhna sunu dharu mana mh

.
prathama bhagati satanha kara sag, dusari rati mama kath prasag.4.
Joining her palms she stood before Him; as she gazed upon the Lord her love
waxed yet more ardent. How can I extol You, lowest in descent and the dullest of wit
as I am ? A woman is the lowest of those who rank as the lowest of the low. Of women
again I am the most dull-headed, O Destroyer of sins. Answered the Lord of Raghus:
Listen, O good lady, to My words I recognize no other kinship except that of Devotion.
Despite caste, kinship, lineage, piety, reputation, wealth, physical strength, numerical
strength of his family, accomplishments and ability, a man lacking in Devotion is of no
more worth than a cloud without water. Now I tell you the nine forms of Devotion; please
listen attentively and cherish them in your mind. The first in order is fellowship with the
saints and the second is marked by a fondness for My stories. (14)
0n r atf nfa r
f nfa n n ; af nr+ -~+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
698
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Do.: gura pada pakaja sev tsari bhagati amna,
cauthi bhagati mama guna gana karai kapaa taji gna.35.
Humble service of the lotus feet of ones preceptor is the third form of Devotion,
while the fourth type of Devotion consists in singing My praises with a guileless
purpose. (35)
0r r ftrr r rr+
t ffa r fa f a r r+ {+
ra rf n r ra a f f r+
r rr arr f ; rr+ +
tr r f tr+
s f- r; rf = r r;+ -+
r; fa f rff r r nfa ar +
rfn nfa r; ar r ; r;+ +
r t r f =r+
ar ; f rft rf fnrft+ ~+
r f r rrr; a r;f nt far;+
r ff rrtr ra fatr+ +
r r f= r; fa r r;+ +
Cau.: matra jpa mama dRha bisvs, pacama bhajana so beda praks.
chaha dama sla birati bahu karam, nirata niratara sajjana dharam.1.
stava sama mohi maya jaga dekh, mote sata adhika kari lekh.
hava jathlbha sato, sapanehu nahi

dekhai parado.2.
navama sarala saba sana chalahn, mama bharosa hiya haraa na dn.
nava mahu ekau jinha ke ho, nri purua sacarcara ko.3.
soi atisaya priya bhmini more , sakala prakra bhagati dRha tore .
jogi bda duralabha gati jo, to kahu ju sulabha bhai so.4.
mama darasana phala parama an up, jva pva nija sahaja sarup.
janakasut kai sudhi bhmin, jnahi kahu karibaragmin.5.
pap sarahi jhu raghur, taha hoihi sugrva mit.
so saba kahihi deva raghubr, jnatahu

puchahu matidhr.6.
bra bra prabhu pada siru n, prema sahita saba kath sun.7.
Muttering My Name with unwavering faith constitutes the fifth form of adoration
revealed in the Vedas. The sixth variety consists in the practice of self-control and virtue,
desisting from manifold activities and ever pursuing the course of conduct prescribed for
saints. He who practises the seventh type sees the world full of Me without distinction
and reckons the saints as even greater than Myself. He who cultivates the eighth type
of Devotion remains contented with whatever he gets and never thinks of detecting others
faults. The ninth form of Devotion demands that one should be guileless and straight in
ones dealings with everybody, and should in his heart cherish implicit faith in Me without
either exultation or depression. Whoever possesses any one of these nine forms of
Devotion, be he man or woman or any other creature sentient or insentient is most
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
699
dear to Me, O good lady. As for yourself, you are blessed with unflinching devotion of all
these types. The prize which is hardly won by the Yogs is within your easy reach today.
The most incomparable fruit of seeing Me is that the soul attains its natural state. If you
know anything about Janakas daughter, My good lady, tell Me her news, O fair dame. Go
to the Pamp lake, O Lord of Raghus; there You will make friends with Sugrva. He will
tell You everything, my Lord Rma, Hero of Raghus line; You are of steady resolve and
know everything; nevertheless You ask me! Bowing her head at the Lords feet again and
again she lovingly related the whole story (of what the sage Mataga had told her and how
eagerly she had watched His approach all the time). (17)
0f r frf f z
af rn r f t ; f f+
ff a r -rn
ftr f r at r rn+
Cha.: kahi kath sakala biloki hari mukha hdaya pada pakaja dhare,
taji joga pvaka deha hari pada lna bhai jaha nahi

phire.
nara bibidha karma adharma bahu mata sokaprada saba tygahu,
bisvsa kari kaha dsa tulas rma pada anurgahu.
After telling the whole story she gazed on the Lords countenance and imprinted
the image of His lotus feet on her heart; and casting her body in the fire of Yoga she
entered r Haris state wherefrom there is no return. O men, abandon your varied
activities, sins and diverse creeds, which all give birth to sorrow, and with genuine faith,
says Tulasdsa, be devoted to the feet of r Rma.
0rfa t rr - f + tf- f rf
r f f frf+ -+
Do.: jti hna agha janma mahi mukta knhi asi nri,
mahmada mana sukha cahasi aise prabhuhi bisri.36.
The Lord conferred final beatitude even on a woman who was not only an outcaste
but a very mine of sin; you seek happiness, my most foolish mind, by forgetting such
a master ! (36)
0 r -rnr r afa f r+
ft ; a frr a r rr+ {+
f ff ; rr a f f rr+
rf fa n n r r rf a f fr+ +
f f n f rt nt f ar rt+
ar r n r n r r+ -+
n r; ft f t r rf fr t+
rtr ffaa f f f fa f f+ +
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
700
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
rf rf f s rt at rtr fa rt+
ara a rr fr t rf srr+ ~+
Cau.: cale rma tyg bana sou, atulita bala nara kehari dou.
birah iva prabhu karata bid, kahata kath aneka sabd.1.
lachimana dekhu bipina kai sobh, dekhata kehi kara mana nahi

chobh.
nri sahita saba khaga mga bd, mnahu mori karata hahi

nid.2.
hamahi dekhi mga nikara parh

, mg

kahahi

tumha kaha bhaya nh

.
tumha nada karahu mga je, kacana mga khojana e e.3.
saga li karin

kari leh

, mnahu mohi sikhvanu deh

.
sstra sucitita puni puni dekhia, bhupa susevita basa nahi

lekhia.4.
rkhia nri jadapi ura mh

, jubat sstra npati basa nh

.
dekhahu tta basata suhv, priy hna mohi bhaya upajv.5.
r Rma left even that forest and proceeded further. The two brothers were lions
among men and possessed immeasurable strength. The Lord lamented like one smitten
with pangs of separation; He narrated stories and had many a dialogue (with Lakmaa).
Lakmaa, mark the beauty of the forest; whose heart will not be stirred at its sight ?
United with their mates all the swarms of birds and herds of deer are reproaching me as
it were. When the bucks see me and scamper away (in fear), their mates would stop
them saying, You have nothing to fear; you may enjoy yourselves at will, O progeny of
deer. He has come in search of a gold deer. The elephants would take their mates
alongwith them as if to teach me a lesson (that a man should never leave his wife alone).
The sacred lore, however thoroughly studied, must be gone through over and over again;
a king, however well served, should never be depended upon; and a woman like the
scriptures and the king, even though you may cherish her in your bosom, is never
thoroughly mastered. See, brother, how pleasant the spring is; yet to me, bereft of my
beloved, it is frightful. (15)
0f f t rf r f f
fa ff n t- n + - (+
f ns rar fa ar a f ra
zr t-s a f ra+ - (+
Do.: biraha bikala balahna mohi jnesi nipaa akela,
sahita bipina madhukara khaga madana knha bagamela.37(A).
dekhi gayau bhrt sahita tsu duta suni bta,
er knheu manahu taba kaaku haaki manajta.37(B).
When the god of love found me tortured by separation, languishing and all alone,
he rushed against me with the verdant forest, bees and birds for his army. His spy (the
wind), however, has seen me with my brother and on his report the mind-born Cupid has
held up his advancing army and besieged me as it were. (37 A-B)
0f fr ar =rrt ff far f art+
f ar r arr f r t rr+ {+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
701
ff rfa a= rr ra rr+
f r fn fn r; r+ +
a f r n ra r fra+
r r t rt rra r art+ -+
atfa r r f r; r =r+
fnf fr t rr ra t n n r+ +
f r; frf rf tt r;+
a fnt n t- fa f at t- + ~+
f a r tr f t fa- n tr+
f rt af a s r; rt+ +
Cau.: biapa bisla lat arujhn, bibidha bitna die janu tn.
kadali tla bara dhuj patk, dekhi na moha dhra mana jk.1.
bibidha bha ti phule taru nn, janu bnaita bane bahu bn.
kahu kahu sudara biapa suhe, janu bhaa bilaga bilaga hoi che.2.
kujata pika mnahu gaja mte, heka mahokha u

a bisarte.
mora cakora kra bara bj, prvata marla saba tj.3.
ttira lvaka padacara juth, barani na ji manoja baruth.
ratha giri sil dudubh

jharan, ctaka bad guna gana baran.4.

madhukara mukhara bheri sahan, tribidha bayri bash

.
caturagin sena sa ga lnhe , bicarata sabahi cunaut dnhe .5.
lachimana dekhata kma ank, rahahi

dhra tinha kai jaga lk.
ehi ke eka parama bala nr, tehi te ubara subhaa soi bhr.6.
Creepers have entwined themselves round gigantic trees, spreading as it were a
variety of canopies in the sky. The plantains and stately palms are standing like beautiful
pennons and standards; he alone who is stout of heart could help being fascinated by
their sight. Trees of every description are adorned with flowers of various kinds, like
warriors arrayed in all their different kinds of panoply. Other beautiful trees standing here
and there look charming like champions separately encamped. The murmuring cuckoos
are his excited elephants; herons and rooks, his camels and mules; peacocks, Cakoras
and parrots, his noble war-horses; the pigeons and swans, his Arab steeds; the
partridges and quails, his foot soldiers. But there is no describing the whole host of
Cupid. Mountain rocks are his chariots; the rills, his kettledrums; the Ctakas, the bards
that utter his praises; the garrulous bees are his trumpets and clarionets and the soft,
cool and fragrant breezes have come in the capacity of his ambassadors. Accompanied
by an army complete in all its four limbs (viz., the horse, the foot, the chariots and the
elephants), he goes about challenging all to a combat. Lakmaa, they who remain firm
even at the sight of Cupids battle-array are men that count in this world. His greatest
strength lies in woman; he alone who can escape her is a mighty champion. (16)
0ara atf fa r r = r
f fr r f ff r+ -c (+
r ;-r r rf
r = f f frf + -c (+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
702
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Do.: tta tni ati prabala khala kma krodha aru lobha,
muni bigyna dhma mana karahi

nimia mahu chobha.38(A).

lobha ke icch dabha bala kma ke kevala nri,
krodha ke parua bacana bala munibara kahahi

bicri.38(B).
Brother, there are three evils most formidable of alllust, anger and greed. In an
instant they distract the mind of hermits who are the very repositories of wisdom. The
weapons of greed are desire and hypocrisy, of lust naught but woman; while angers
weapon is harsh speech: so declare the great sages after deep thought. (38 A-B)
0nrata r trt r sr art+
rf- tar r; t- ffa r;+ {+
r r r rr f r t rr+
r ;r f r r r; r r+ +
sr s r a f na r+
f n r atr r r n ntr+ -+
a z f rt r rrr r rt+
a ff ff n tr sr n r tr+ +
Cau.: guntta sacarcara svm, rma um saba atarajm.
kminha kai dnat dekh, dhranha ke mana birati dRh.1.
krodha manoja lobha mada my, chuahi

sakala rma k

dy.
so nara idrajla nahi

bhul, j para hoi so naa anukul.2.

um kahau mai

anubhava apan, sata hari bhajanu jagata saba sapan.

puni prabhu gae sarobara tr, pap nma subhaga gabhr.3.
sata hdaya jasa nirmala br, b

dhe gha manohara cr.

jaha taha piahi

bibidha mga nr, janu udra gha jcaka bhr.4.
r Rma, dear Um, (says Bhagavn iva) is beyond the three Guas (Sattva,
Rajas and Tamas), though the lord of the animate and inanimate creation, and the inner
controller of all. (By speaking as above) He demonstrated the miserable plight of earthly
lovers and strengthened dispassion in the mind of the wise. Anger, lust, greed, pride and
delusion, all these get eliminated through r Rmas grace. He who wins the favour of
that divine player is never deluded by His jugglery. Um, I tell you my own realization;
the only thing real is worship of r Rma, and the whole world is a dream. The Lord then
repaired to the shore of the deep and beautiful lake known by the name of Pamp. Its
water was as limpid as the heart of saints and it had charming flights of steps on all its
four sides. Beasts of various kinds drank of its water wherever they listed, as if there
was a crowd of beggars ever present at the house of a generous man. (14)
0;f rr r fn r;
rrr f fn zr+ - (+
t t fa nr rf
r t- f a rf+ - (+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
703
Do.: puraini saghana oa jala begi na pia marma,
mychanna na dekhiai jaise nirguna brahma.39(A).
sukh mna saba ekarasa ati agdha jala mhi

,
jath dharmaslanha ke dina sukha sajuta jhi

.39(B).
Covered by dense lotus leaves the water could not be easily discerned, even as
the attributeless Brahma is not perceived when veiled by My (Ignorance). All the fish
that had their abode in the fathomless water of the lake were uniformly happy, even as
the virtuous ever pass their days peacefully. (39 A-B)
0f f rr nr na nr+
ra a r frf a r+ {+
r n r; a ; f f r;+
n n fnr r; ra f a rr;+ +
ar t f- n r ff r f r+
arr r r rr+ -+
fa a= rr t t nrr+
ta n r aa ; r r+ +
rf f t f r f t+ ~+
Cau.: bikase sarasija nn rag, madhura mukhara gujata bahu bhg.
bolata jalakukkua kalahas, prabhu biloki janu karata prasas.1.
cakrabka baka khaga samud, dekhata banai barani nahi

j.
sudara khaga gana gir suh, jta pathika janu leta bol.2.
tla sampa muninha gha che, cahu disi knana biapa suhe.
capaka bakula kadaba taml, pala panasa parsa rasl.3.
nava pallava kusumita taru nn, cacarka paal kara gn.
stala mada sugadha subh u, satata bahai manohara bu.4.
kuhu kuhu kokila dhuni karah

, suni rava sarasa dhyna muni arah

.5.
Lotuses of different colours had opened their petals and swarms of bees sweetly
hummed. Swans and waterfowls made such a noise as though they had burst into
the Lords praises the moment they saw Him. Birds like the Cakrawka and the heron
were lovely beyond words; one could form an idea of their beauty only after seeing
them. The voice of the beautiful birds was so captivating that it seemed they invited
the wayfarers who passed by them. By the side of the lake hermits had erected their
thatched cottages; there were charming forest trees all around. The Campaka, the
Bakula, the Kadamba, the Tamla, the Pala, the Panasa, the Pala, the mango
and many other varieties of trees had put forth new leaves and blosoms and swarms
of bees hummed on them. A delightful breeze which was naturally cool, gentle and
fragrant, ever breathed there. The cuckoos cooed so sweetly that their melody disturbed
the hermits in their meditation. (15)
0 r f f f fr;
srt = ff f fa r;+ +
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
704
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Do.: phala bhrana nami biapa saba rahe bhumi niari,
para upakr purua jimi navahi

susapati pi.40.
Weighed down with the load of their fruits all the fruit trees well-nigh touched
the ground, even as benevolent souls grow all the more humble on getting a large
fortune. (40)
0f r fa =f arr r t- rr+
t a= rr fa rrrr+ {+
a f f r tafa f f r fr+
r rr a r rr+ +
fa naf t r r r ft+
r r f ntrr a r rr rr+ -+
f frs r; f ff = r;+
frf r tr n r rtr+ +
nra r fa rt fa rfa rt+
a za f sr; r a r s r;+ ~+
trna f f r f r r + +
Cau.: dekhi rma ati rucira talv, majjanu knha parama sukha pv.
dekh sudara tarubara chy, baihe anuja sahita raghury.1.
taha puni sakala deva muni e, astuti kari nija dhma sidhe.
baihe parama prasanna kpl, kahata anuja sana kath rasl.2.
birahavata bhagavatahi dekh, nrada mana bh soca bise.
mora spa kari agkr, sahata rma nn dukha bhr.3.
aise prabhuhi bilokau j, puni na banihi asa avasaru .
yaha bicri nrada kara bn, gae jah

prabhu sukha sn.4.

gvata rma carita mdu bn, prema sahita bahu bh

ti bakhn.
karata daavata lie uh, rkhe bahuta bra ura l.5.
svgata pu

chi nikaa baihre, lachimana sdara carana pakhre.6.

When r Rma saw this most beautiful lake, He took a dip into it and felt
supremely delighted. Seeing the pleasant shade of a stately tree, the Lord of Raghus sat
in it with His younger brother. There all the gods and sages came once more and having
hymned His praises returned to their several homes. The All-merciful sat in a most
cheerful mood and discoursed with His younger brother on delightful topics. When the
sage Nrada saw the Lord suffering the pangs of separation, he felt much perturbed at
heart. It is in submission to my curse* that the Lord is undergoing many hardships of
an oppressive nature. Let me, therefore, go and see such a noble Lord; for such an
opportunity may not present itself again, Reflecting thus Nrada went, lute in hand, to
the spot where the Lord was sitting at ease. He fondly sang in a soft voice the exploits
of r Rma dwelling upon them in all detail. As he prostrated himself the Lord lifted him
up and held him in His embrace for a long time. After enquiring of his welfare He seated
him by His side, while Lakmaa reverently laved His feet. (16)
* Vide Blaka, the Caups following Doha 136, Doh 137 and the Caups coming after it.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
705
0rr ff fat f r f rf
r r a rf r= rf+ {+
Do.: nn bidhi binat kari prabhu prasanna jiya jni,
nrada bole bacana taba jori saroruha pni.41.
After much supplication and realizing that the Lord was pleased at heart, Nrada
joined his lotus palms and spoke as follows: (41)
0 sr rrr n n r+
rns trt uf ra art+ {+
r f ar r r f s r+
ta f f rf rnt r f ar rnt+ +
f r ftr a f r +
a r r r; rns s fr;+ -+
uf r r >rfa f a r+
r r- a fr rs r rr n n fr+ +
Cau.: sunahu udra sahaja raghunyaka, sudara agama sugama bara dyaka.
dehu eka bara mgau svm, jadyapi jnata atarajm.1.
jnahu muni tumha mora subh u, jana sana kabahu ki karau duru.
kavana bastu asi priya mohi lg, jo munibara na sakahu tumha mg.2.
jana kahu kachu adeya nahi

more , asa bisvsa tajahu jani bhore .

taba nrada bole hara, asa bara mgau karau hih.3.
jadyapi prabhu ke nma anek, ruti kaha adhika eka te ek.
rma sakala nmanha te adhik, hou ntha agha khaga gana badhik.4.
Listen, O Lord of Raghus, generous by nature as You are: You confer delightful
boons that are unattainable as well as those that are attainable. Grant me, my master, only
one boon that I ask of You, even though You already know it (even without my asking),
indwelling as You do the hearts of all. You know my disposition, dear sage: do I ever
hide anything from my devotees ? What object do I hold so dear, O chief of sages, that
you may not ask it of Me ? There is nothing which I may withhold from my votary: never
give up this belief even by mistake. Then Nrada gladly said, This is the boon I
presume to ask: even though my lord has many names, each greater than the rest, as
the Vedas declare, let the name RMA, my lord, surpass all other names in exterminating
the whole brood of sins even as a fowler kills an entire flock of birds. (14)
0rr t nfa a r r r; r
r szn f na s r+ (+
ta f s rf rrr
a r fa rs r+ (+
Do.: rk rajan bhagati tava rma nma soi soma,
apara nma uagana bimala basahu bhagata ura byoma.42(A).
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
706
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
evamastu muni sana kaheu kpsidhu raghuntha,
taba nrada mana haraa ati prabhu pada nyau mtha.42(B).
May the name RMA shine as the moon and the other names as so many stars
in the cloudless sky of Your devotees heart during the full-moon night of devotion to
You. The all-merciful Lord of Raghus replied to the sage, So be it Thereupon Nrada
felt much delighted at heart and bowed at the Lords feet. (42 A-B)
0fa r rrrf rt f r r rt+
r f s f rr r rf rrrr+ {+
a fr rs t-r f r t-r+
f arf s rr f rf af rr+ +
s r fa- rt ff r r; art+
n f - f r; a r; t nr;+ -+
af a rar tfa ; f rff rar+
r a rt r a r rt+ +
f r f art r r f rt+
frf fza rf t r r nfa f at+ ~+
Cau.: ati prasanna raghunthahi jn, puni nrada bole mdu bn.
rma jabahi

prereu nija my, mohehu mohi sunahu raghury.1.
taba bibha mai

chau knh, prabhu kehi krana karai na dnh.
sunu muni tohi kahau saharos, bhajahi

je mohi taji sakala bharos.2.
karau sad tinha kai rakhavr, jimi blaka rkhai mahatr.
gaha sisu baccha anala ahi dh, taha rkhai janan arag.3.
prauRha bhae tehi suta para mt, prti karai nahi

pchili bt.
more prauRha tanaya sama gyn, blaka suta sama dsa amn.4.
janahi mora bala nija bala th, duhu kaha kma krodha ripu h.
yaha bicri paita mohi bhajah

, pehu gyna bhagati nahi

tajah

.5.
Seeing the Lord of Raghus so highly pleased, Nrada spoke again in gentle tones
Listen, O Rma: when You impelled Your My (deluding potency) and infatuated me,
O Lord of Raghus, I wanted to marry. Why, then, did You not let me accomplish my
desire ? Listen, O sage: I tell you with all the emphasis at My command that I always
take care of those who worship Me with undivided faith, even as a mother tends her child.
If an infant child runs to catch hold of fire or a snake, the mother rescues it by drawing it
aside. When, however, her son has grown up she loves him no doubt, but not as before.
The wise are like My grown up sons, while humble devotees are like My infant children.
A devotee depends on Me, while the former ( a wise man) depends on his own strength;
and both have to face enemies like lust and anger. Pondering thus the prudent adore Me
and never take leave of devotion even after attaining wisdom. (15)
0r r rrf r rf
fa- fa r= rr=t rf+ -+
Do.: kma krodha lobhdi mada prabala moha kai dhri,
tinha maha ati druna dukhada myrup nri.43.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
707
Lust, anger, greed, pride etc., constitute the most powerful army of Ignorance.
But among them all the fiercest and the most troublesome is that incarnation of My (the
Lords deluding potency) called woman. (43)
0 f r >rfa ar r ff rf ar+
a r>r rrt r; nt r; rt+ {+
r r - r ;-f r r+
rr r; fa- r r;+ +
t= r r; f fa-f ; r+
f ar r ar; ; rf ff fa r;+ -+
r s f rt rf ffz t frt+
f t - tr t fr f tr+ +
Cau.: sunu muni kaha purna ruti sat, moha bipina kahu nri basat.
japa tapa nema jalraya jhr, hoi grama soai saba nr.1.
kma krodha mada matsara bhek, inhahi haraaprada bara ek.
durbsan kumuda samud, tinha kaha sarada sad sukhad.2.
dharma sakala sarasruha bd, hoi hima tinhahi dahai sukha mad.
puni mamat javsa bahut, paluhai nri sisira ritu p.3.
ppa uluka nikara sukhakr, nri nibiRa rajan a dhir.
budhi bala sla satya saba mn, banas sama triya kahahi

prabn.4.
Listen, O sage: the Puras, the Vedas and the saints declare that woman is like
the vernal season to the forest of ignorance. Nay, like the hot season she dries up all the
ponds and lakes of Japa (the muttering of prayers), austerity and religious observances.
Again, lust, anger, pride and jealousy are so many frogs as it were; like the rainy season
woman is the only agency that gladdens them all. Even so latent desires of a vicious type
are like a bed of lilies, to which, like the autumn, she is ever agreeable. All the different
virtues are like a bed of lotuses; like the middle of winter, woman, who is a source of base
(sensuous) pleasure, blights them all. Again, the overgrowth of the Yavsa plant in the
shape of mineness flourishes when the close of winter in the shape of woman appears. For
owls in the shape of sins woman is a delightful night thick with darkness. Even so reason,
strength, virtue and truth are all so many fishes as it were; and woman, so declare the wise,
is like a hook to catch them. (14)
0n r rf
ara t- fr f f rf+ +
Do.: avaguna mula sulaprada pramad saba dukha khni,
tte knha nivrana muni mai

yaha jiya jni.44.

A young woman is the root of all evil, a source of torment and a mine of all woes.
Therefore, bearing this in mind, O sage, I prevented your marriage. (44)
0f rrfa r f a f r+
f tat ar = tat+ {+
f -rnt r rnt+
f r r f r r fr fr+ +
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
708
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
a- - rrtr r tr+
f -r- n f- a s- + -+
fr fa rr rr f f rr+
far t farnt -r f rf rnt+ +
rr r tr t nfa tr+ ~+
Cau.: suni raghupati ke bacana suhe, muni tana pulaka nayana bhari e.
kahahu kavana prabhu kai asi rt, sevaka para mamat aru prt.1.
je na bhajahi

asa prabhu bhrama tyg, gyna raka nara mada abhg.

puni sdara bole muni nrada, sunahu rma bigyna bisrada.2.
satanha ke lacchana raghubr, kahahu ntha bhava bhajana bhr.
sunu muni satanha ke guna kahau

, jinha te mai

unha ke basa rahau

.3.
aa bikra jita anagha akm, acala akicana suci sukhadhm.
amitabodha anha mitabhog, satyasra kabi kobida jog.4.
svadhna mnada madahn, dhra dharma gati parama prabn.5.
As the sage listened to the delightful of r Rma (the Lord of Raghus), a thrill ran
through his body and his eyes filled with tears. He said to himself, Tell me, is there any
other master whose wont it is to show such attachment and fondness for his servants?
Men who refuse to worship such a lord shaking off all delusion are bankrupt of wisdom,
dull-writted and wretched. The sage Nrada again reverentially spoke to the Lord, Listen,
O Rma, who are well-versed in sacred lore: tell me, my lord Raghuvra (Hero of Raghus
line), the distinguishing marks of saints, O dispeller of the fear of transmigration. I tell you,
dear sage, the qualities of saints, by virtue of which they hold Me in subjection. They are
masters of the six passions (lust, anger, greed, infatuation, pride and jealousy), sinless,
disinterested, firm, possessing nothing, pure (both within and without), full of bliss, of
boundless wisdom, desireless, moderate in diet, truthful, inspired, learned and united with
God, circumspect, bestowing honour on others, free from pride, strong-minded and highly
conversant with the course of Dharma (righteousness). (15)
0nrnr r fa fna
af r f fa- n+ ~+
Do.: gungra sasra dukha rahita bigata sadeha,
taji mama carana saroja priya tinha kahu deha na geha.45.
They are abodes of virtue, above the sorrows of the world and free from doubt.
Nothing besides My lotus feet is dear to them, not even their body nor their home. (45)
0f n >r a rt n a f rt+
ta f -rnf tat rs f tat+ {+
a a r n= nrf f r+
>rqr r rt rr far tfa rr+ +
ffa f f frr r r rr+
r f r f f rn r+ -+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*
ARA NYA-K NA
*
709
nrf f r tr a fa fa a tr+
f r- n a f f r >rfa aa+ +
Cau.: nija guna ravana sunata sakuch

, para guna sunata adhika harah

.
sama stala nahi

tygahi

nt, sarala subhu sabahi sana prt.1.

japa tapa brata dama sajama nem, guru gobida bipra pada prem.
raddh cham mayatr dy, mudit mama pada prti amy.2.
birati bibeka binaya bigyn, bodha jathratha beda purn.
dabha mna mada karahi

na k u, bhuli na dehi

kumraga pu.3.
gvahi

sunahi

sad mama ll, hetu rahita parahita rata sl.
muni sunu sdhunha ke guna jete, kahi na sakahi

srada ruti tete.4.
They blush to hear themselves praised but feel much delighted to hear others
praises. Even-minded and placid, they never abandon the right course. Guileless by
nature and loving, they are given over to prayer, austerity, control of the senses, self-
denial and religious observances and undertake sacred vows. They are devoted to the
feet of their Guru, Lord Govinda (Viu) and the Brhmaas. They are full of piety,
forgiving, friendly to all, compassionate, cheerful under all circumstances and sincerely
devoted to My feet. They are further characterized by dispassion, discretion, modesty,
knowledge of the truth relating to God as well as by a correct knowledge of the Vedas
and Puras. They never take recourse to hypocrisy, pride or arrogance nor set their
foot on the evil path even by mistake. They are ever engaged in singing or hearing My
stories and are intent on doing good to others without any consideration. In short, O good
sage, the qualities of the saints are so numerous that they cannot be exhausted even
by rad ( the goddess of speech) nor by the Vedas. (14)
0f r r a n
t r na n f +
f= r; rf r f- zr r n
a - atr r fr; f n +
Cha.: kahi saka na srada sea nrada sunata pada pakaja gahe,
asa dnabadhu kpla apane bhagata guna nija mukha kahe.
siru ni brahi

bra carananhi brahmapura nrada gae,

te dhanya tulasdsa sa bihi je hari ra ga ra e.
Neither rad nor ea could tell them! Even as he heard this the sage Nrada
clasped the Lords lotus feet. In this way the all-merciful Lord, the befriender of the meek,
recounted with His own lips the virtues of His devotees. Nrada bowed his head at the
Lords feet again and again and left for the abode of Brahm (the Creator). Blessed are
they, says Tulasdsa, who, giving up all hopes, are steeped in love for r Hari.
0rrf r nrf f rn
r nfa rf f frn rn+ (+
t fr fa a f rf a n
f r af r f r an+ (+
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
710
*
R RMACARITAMNASA
*
Do.: rvanri jasu pvana gvahi

sunahi

je loga,
rma bhagati dRha pvahi

binu birga japa joga.46(A).

dpa sikh sama jubati tana mana jani hosi pataga,
bhajahi rma taji kma mada karahi sad satasaga.46(B).
People who sing or hear the sanctifying praises of Rvaas Foe shall be
rewarded with steadfast devotion to r Rma even without dispassion, prayer or
concentration of mind. The body of a young woman is like fhe flame of a candle; be not
a moth to it, O my mind. Abandoning lust and pride worship r Rma and enjoy the
company of saints. (46A-B)
[PAUSE 22 FOR A THIRTY-DAY RECITATION]
;fa >rtrfar ff aat rr re
iti rmadrmacaritamnase sakalakalikaluavidhvasane ttya sopna sampta.
Thus ends the third descent into the Mnasa lake of r Rmas exploits, that
eradicates all the impurities of the Kali age.
\\vv\\ \\vv\\ \\vv\\ \\vv\\ \\vv\\